Psychologist - Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS) (Full Time)

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience By clicking the Accept button, you agree to us doing so. Accept No, thanks Skip to main content Main navigation My B&D Logout Search Search Services Help improve your council website! We're redesigning our website and we'd love your help! Whether you've got two minutes or twenty, every piece of feedback helps us create a better experience. See the surveys available right now Hide Psychologist - Expert Court Assessment Service (ECAS) (Full Time) Apply online About this job 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 About you Why Join ECAS Now? 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. What We’re Looking For We are seeking experienced and motivated psychologists who: 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. About us Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here. Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While