How to Approach an NHS Assistant Psychologist Supporting Information Statement

During my time applying for NHS Assistant Psychologist roles, I submitted 15 applications, leading to 6 interviews and ultimately 2 job offers. The supporting information section was consistently what made the difference between getting shortlisted and facing another rejection email.

If you're struggling to get past the application stage, the issue likely isn't your qualifications or experience; it's how you're presenting them. Here's what I learned through trial and error about crafting supporting information that actually gets you interviews.

Always Refer to the Person Specification

I can't stress this enough: without directly addressing the person specification, it's highly unlikely you'll be called in for an interview. This isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about showing you've read the role description properly and understand what they're actually looking for.

Every single point you make should link back to something they've asked for. If they want experience with anxiety disorders, don't just mention you've worked in mental health. Explain specifically how you've supported clients with GAD, panic disorder, or phobias. Essentially, make it impossible for them to miss that you meet their criteria.

Demonstrate Direct Clinical Experience with Core Interventions

Don't just say you've observed CBT sessions or "have knowledge of psychological therapies." Highlight your direct work delivering interventions, and be specific about what you've actually done. Instead of ‘assisted with psychological assessments,’ write something like "administered and scored PHQ-9 and GAD-7 assessments, contributing to treatment planning discussions and monitoring client progress over 12-week intervention periods.’ Show you understand the practical aspects of therapeutic work, not just the theory you learned in lectures.

If you've used standardised assessments, mention them by name. If you've followed NICE guidelines in your work, say so explicitly. These details matter because they demonstrate you're already familiar with NHS frameworks and approaches.

Emphasise Multidisciplinary Team Experience

The NHS operates on teamwork, and they want to know you can collaborate effectively with different healthcare professionals. Detail how you've worked alongside psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses, or other psychologists.

Don't just list who was in the team, explain what collaboration actually looked like. Did you contribute to MDT meetings? How did you communicate client progress to different team members? Were you involved in care planning discussions? These specifics show you understand how NHS services function.

Showcase Communication Skills Through Real Examples

Everyone claims to have ‘excellent communication skills,’ but few people demonstrate them effectively. Instead of making general statements, describe specific situations where you've handled sensitive conversations, worked with diverse populations, or managed challenging circumstances.

Real examples of using techniques like Socratic questioning, motivational interviewing, or de-escalation carry much more weight than saying you're ‘skilled at building rapport.’ Think about times you've had to deliver difficult news, work with reluctant clients, or adapt your communication style for different needs and abilities.

Include Research Experience and Technical Skills

NHS Assistant Psychologist roles often involve both clinical and research components, so highlight your ability to handle data, use statistical software like SPSS or R, and contribute to clinical research projects.

If you've been involved in audit work, service evaluation, or research studies, explain your specific contributions. Did you recruit participants? Analyse data? Present findings? These skills are highly valued because they show you can contribute to evidence-based practice and service improvement.

Address Diversity and Inclusion Meaningfully

Rather than just stating you're ‘culturally aware’ or ‘committed to equality,’ demonstrate your understanding through concrete examples. Show how you've worked with different communities and understand their specific mental health challenges.

This might include experience with interpreters, understanding of how cultural factors impact help-seeking behavior, or awareness of barriers different groups face in accessing mental health services. Be specific about populations you've worked with and what you learned from these experiences.

Bring in Specialized Knowledge of Your Target Service

If you're applying to CAMHS, don't just mention you like working with young people. Demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and practical experience with this client group. Show you understand developmental considerations, family and systemic factors, or the specific challenges of engaging adolescents in therapy.

The same applies for any specialized service: eating disorders, older adults, learning disabilities, or forensics. Show you've done your homework about what this specific role involves.

Link Everything to NHS Values

Each NHS Trust has its own values, but they generally emphasise things like compassion, respect, excellence, and working together. Don't just list these values: show how your work embodies them.

Instead of ‘I demonstrate compassion in my work,’ try something like ‘When supporting a client experiencing their first psychotic episode, I took time to explain each step of the assessment process, ensuring they felt heard and understood during a distressing period.’

The Reality Check

I've seen brilliant psychology graduates get rejected repeatedly because they wrote generic supporting information that could apply to any mental health role. The ones who get shortlisted are those who tailor their applications specifically to what each Trust and post is looking for.

Remember, the people shortlisting applications are usually experienced clinicians, and they want to see that you understand the reality of the role you're applying for, not just that you have the right qualifications on paper.

Struggling to translate your experience into a compelling supporting information statement? Feel free to check my Supporting Information Writing Guide, or book a Statement Review to receive tailored feedback.