Honorary Assistant Psychologist

About Police Care UK

Police Care UK is the national, independent charity supporting serving and veteran members of the police community, and their families, when they’ve been physically or psychologically harmed through policing.

Demand for our services has grown by more than 400% in the last decade. This reflects the increasing impact of trauma in modern policing – from major incidents and serious violence to cumulative and vicarious trauma. We understand that harm doesn’t end with a shift, and that families are often affected too.

We’ve evolved from a traditional benevolent fund into a sector‑leading organisation delivering evidence‑informed support, trauma‑focused recovery services and practical prevention programmes across UK policing. Our work is grounded in compassion, clarity and evidence, and we’re fiercely independent so we can focus on what people really need.

Our vision is simple: a future where every member of the police community has access to the care and support they need, and nobody faces the impact of harm alone. Based in Woking and working nationally, we’re committed to strengthening the people behind the force – and we’re looking for those who want to be a part of that work.

About the Role

This honorary Assistant Psychologist position offers a structured, supervised opportunity to gain experience in trauma‑focused, psychologically informed work within a national charity supporting the policing community. Working under the supervision of a qualified clinician, you’ll help deliver and evaluate evidence‑informed services, contribute to assessment and formulation activity, support psychoeducation and group work, and assist with outcome monitoring, research and service improvement.

You’ll be part of a compassionate, specialist team working with people affected by occupational trauma. The role does not include autonomous clinical decision‑making, diagnosis or unsupervised psychological therapy; all activity is undertaken within clearly defined boundaries and appropriate supervision.

Key responsibilities of the role

Clinical and beneficiary support

• Support psychologically informed screening and assessment processes by gathering, scoring and summarising standardised measures and other relevant information, within agreed protocols.
• Contribute to collaborative psychological formulations and intervention plans under the direction of a qualified psychologist/psychotherapist.
• Prepare and deliver agreed psychoeducational, skills-based, group interventions within competence and under supervision.
• Support beneficiaries to engage with agreed plans, including attendance, goal review, outcome monitoring and planned endings or onward referral.
• Recognise changes in risk or safeguarding concerns, follow Police Care UK procedures and escalate promptly to an appropriately qualified clinician or emergency service where required.
• Communicate sensitively with beneficiaries who may be distressed, traumatised or experiencing difficulties with trust, emotion regulation, concentration or communication.
• Maintain professional boundaries and work in a trauma-informed, anti-discriminatory and culturally responsive manner.
  
  

Groups, resources and consultation

• Help coordinate and deliver psychoeducation webinars, workshops and structured groups, including materials, attendance, evaluation and follow-up.
• Assist with the development and review of psychologically informed resources for beneficiaries, families, police forces and partner organisations.
• Contribute relevant psychological perspectives to case discussions, multidisciplinary meetings and consultation, without working beyond the limits of the role.
• Liaise professionally with internal teams, affiliate clinicians, police services, NHS services and third-sector partners where authorised and necessary for care.
  
  

Outcomes, research and service development

• Coordinate the accurate data collection, scoring, collation and basic analysis of clinical outcome measures and beneficiary feedback.
• Maintain databases and produce clear summaries, reports and presentations to support clinical governance, performance reporting and service evaluation.
• Undertake literature searches, audits, quality-improvement activity and service-related research agreed with the supervising psychologist/psychotherapist
• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based pathways for occupational trauma and related psychological needs.
• Handle information in accordance with UK GDPR, data-protection requirements, research governance and Police Care UK policy.
• Professional practice and administration
• Attend and use regular clinical supervision, prepare appropriately and implement agreed actions.
• Maintain timely, accurate and proportionate case notes, activity records and administrative systems.
• Manage and prioritise workload in collaboration with the supervisor, identifying early when advice or additional support is needed.
• Participate in induction, mandatory training, appraisal, continuing professional development and reflective practice.
• Contribute positively to team meetings and work flexibly across Clinical & Beneficiary Services according to service need.
• Use charity equipment and resources responsibly and comply with all relevant Police Care UK policies and procedures.
  
  

What you’ll bring to the role

Essential

• Honours degree in Psychology (2:1 or above) with GBC eligibility.
• Experience supporting people with mental‑health, trauma‑related or complex psychosocial needs.
• Understanding of psychological theory, trauma‑informed practice, risk, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Ability to gather, score and summarise standardised measures and contribute to psychological formulations under supervision.
• Clear, sensitive written and verbal communication; able to convey complex information professionally.
• Strong organisation and time‑management skills; able to maintain accurate records and balance competing demands.
• Competent with Microsoft 365 and secure information systems; basic understanding of research design, outcome measurement and statistics.
• Compassionate, reflective, reliable and committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Able to work remotely in a confidential environment and travel within the UK when required.
  
  

Desirable

• Postgraduate study or training in applied psychology, research methods or trauma‑informed practice.
• Previous Assistant Psychologist (or equivalent) experience.
• Experience working with policing, emergency services, veterans, occupational trauma or third‑sector organisations.
• Knowledge of PTSD/C‑PTSD, occupational trauma, moral injury and evidence‑based trauma treatment pathways.
• Experience using psychometric measures, producing clinical summaries or analysing service outcome data.
• Experience delivering psychoeducation, training, webinars or group interventions.
• Experience with statistical packages, survey platforms, clinical databases or dashboards.
• Understanding of police culture and barriers to help‑seeking.
• Full UK driving licence and access to transport (where relevant).

Why work with us

This honorary role offers a rare opportunity to gain high‑quality, supervised experience in trauma‑focused psychological work within a national charity. You’ll develop your clinical, research and analytical skills, work alongside specialist clinicians, and contribute to meaningful support for those affected by harm through policing. You’ll be part of a compassionate, evidence‑driven team committed to learning, reflective practice and professional growth.

Although the role is unpaid, you will benefit from:

• Regular clinical supervision and structured development opportunities
• Exposure to psychologically informed assessment, formulation and group work
• Experience contributing to research, outcome monitoring and service improvement
• Enhanced wellbeing support
• A supportive, collaborative culture
• The chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of police, staff, volunteers and their families

How to Apply:  Please submit your CV and a detailed cover letter explaining why you’re the right fit for this role. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as you are able. 

Limitations
 This job advert is neither exclusive nor exhaustive. The duties and responsibilities may vary from time to time in the light of changing circumstances in consultation with the jobholder. The jobholder will be required to work within the rules and regulations of the Charity and accept the authority of the Chief Executive, who has the discretion to delegate authority to the jobholder and to withdraw it.

Equal Opportunities Policy
The Charity is committed to eliminating any discrimination and promoting diversity and equality of opportunity in all it does. The Charity is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, and we will not unlawfully discriminate against job applicants, employees of the Charity, volunteers, workers, or contract workers on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins) religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.