Psychologist - Expert Court Assessment Service; ECAS

Psychologist
- Specialist Court & Family Services Children's Care & Support
- Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS) Be part of something new. Shape better futures for children. We are recruiting to an exciting opportunity within our new Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS) - a specialist, innovative service designed to transform how we support children and families through pre-proceedings and care proceedings. This is a unique opportunity to join at the early stages of an ambitious, in-house assessment model, bringing psychological expertise directly into statutory social care and court processes.

You will play a key role in strengthening decision-making, reducing delay and improving permanence outcomes for children. About the Role As a Psychologist within ECAS, you will operate as a senior specialist practitioner, providing expert psychological assessment and advice within care proceedings and pre-proceedings. You will:

• Undertake complex psychological assessments of children, parents and carers to inform court and permanence planning
• Provide expert analysis on parenting capacity, risk, trauma, attachment and capacity to change
• Produce high-quality, court-ready reports that are analytical, proportionate and defensible
• Offer specialist consultation to social workers, managers and legal colleagues
• Contribute to multidisciplinary discussions including legal planning meetings and court forums
• Support quality assurance and the development of robust, evidence-based assessment practice

This role is critical in ensuring that psychological insight is embedded within decision-making, strengthening court confidence and improving outcomes for children and families.

Special requirements for this post Doctoral-level professional qualification:
Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology (BPS accredited), Professional registration:
Registered with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on successful applicants including an Enhanced Children's Department of Barring Services check

This role offers a genuine opportunity to be part of a brand-new service at the forefront of practice innovation. You'll:

• Help shape a new in-house psychological assessment model within Children's Services
• Influence practice, decision-making and outcomes across the system
• Work at the interface of social care, legal services and court processes
• Be part of a service focused on reducing delay and improving permanence for children
• Contribute to building high-quality, sustainable expertise within the local authority

You won't just be joining a team - you'll be helping to build it, influence it and lead improvement across the system.

• Have substantial experience working with children, families and adults with complex needs
• Bring experience of psychological assessment and report writing in statutory or court contexts
• Have strong knowledge of trauma, attachment, safeguarding and child development
• Are confident working with high-complexity cases and influencing professional decision-making
• Can communicate complex psychological concepts clearly to non-clinical audiences.

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