South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Clinical Psychologist

The closing date is 08 July 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a specialist practitioner psychologist/psychotherapist, to work within the Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Service (MHLD). We are a specialist community service for adults with learning disabilities, covering the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, delivering a service to adults who have additional mental health difficulties and/or behaviour that challenges.

The Lewisham post is a full time, permanent position based in central Catford, co-located with the CTLD health team. Those seeking full-time or part-time work are encouraged to apply.

The team consists of Psychology, Psychiatry and CPN colleagues and works in close partnership with local CTLD health teams and social care. You will be part of a well-established group of Psychologists and Behavioural Support Practitioners, working across the three boroughs.

You will be expected to work directly and indirectly with people with learning disabilities, families, carers and networks to provide a range of high quality, evidence-based, collaborative and person-centred psychological assessments and interventions. We are looking for someone that can bring a dynamic and creative approach to service delivery, aimed at improving the lives of people with learning disabilities who have additional mental health needs and/or behaviours that challenge. Please note, that knowledge, skills and experience in carrying out neuropsychological assessment is essential in this role.

Main duties of the job

To provide specialist psychological interventions to adults with learning disabilities with additional mental health needs and/or behaviour which challenges, including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.

To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.

To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate.

To undertake service evaluation, audit and research.

To work as an autonomous professional within registration body guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, taking responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions with support of clinical supervisor.

To contribute psychological expertise within the wider multi-agency context.

To be active in the provision of staff support within their area, including but not limited to Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve. To participate, as a recipient, in staff support work when appropriate.

About us

Across the three boroughs, we provide a range of psychological assessments and interventions for people with learning disabilities and their networks, with specialist expertise and interests across the service in systemic, narrative, neuropsychology, CAT and positive behavioural approaches. You will be expected to make use of regular CPD sessions within the Trust as well as special interest/supervision groups offered by psychologists within the service aimed at further developing therapeutic skills and knowledge.

We have close links with the Estia Centre and as we are part of a Clinical Academic Group within Kings Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre, research interests and joint initiatives aimed at improving the physical and mental health care for people with learning disabilities are encouraged. There are opportunities to help develop and deliver training and consultation to provider services and our mainstream mental health colleagues as part of your work.

Date posted

24 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£54,320 to £60,981 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7151010

Job locations

Old Town Hall

1 Catford Road

London

SE6 4RU

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for adults with learning disabilities seen within the MHLD service, including working with people who have mental health difficulties and/or challenging behaviours and their networks, within limits expected at Band 7, i.e. achievable by newly-qualified psychologists after a few months on-the-job training.

To select, administer and interpret psychometric and neuropsychological tests, requiring skilled manipulation of test materials, and interpretation and integration of complex data.

To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.

To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.

To provide reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers, service users, their families and professional network.

To select and deliver specialist evidence based therapeutic interventions, drawing on a range of theoretical models, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual and their network.

To promote psychological support for carers (or families as appropriate) of referred clients.

To work as an autonomous professional within professional guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking full responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions.

To communicate skilfully and sensitively highly complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication.

To act as care coordinator or CPA co-ordinator if required, taking responsibility for planning and reviewing care plans, CPA co-ordination and meetings as required

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the MHLD service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.

To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.

To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.

To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.

To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

To liaise with the service/s MDT and other professionals.

KR 3 Policy and service development

To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.

To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.

To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.

To ensure the cleanliness and safe functioning and use of equipment that will be used by clients or other persons.

To monitor and advise clients on the safe use of materials and processes.

To ensure adequate confidential and safe storage for artefacts produced during the therapy process in line with professional guidelines.

To be responsible for obtaining, storing and maintaining all materials and equipment for the provision of therapy in work setting within budgetary constraints.

KR 5 Management and supervision

To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of an assistant psychologist if required, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.

To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Training Courses Supervision Training.

To provide supervision for the psychological and/or psychotherapeutic work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychological practitioners and specialised training to other professions and staff in local services as appropriate.

To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychological therapy and learning disabilities and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance

To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

KR 8 Research and development

To undertake regular complex service evaluation, audits or research relevant to service needs.

To initiate and carry out appropriate research as agreed.

To provide research advice to other staff undertaking research within the service.

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychological therapist according to professional body and Trust guidelines.

To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with professional body and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and professional Standards for Continuing Professional Development.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

To comply with professional body Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics/Standards of Proficiency and ensure professional development in line with these.

KR10 General

To travel to home visits, community placements, psychology meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group and follow trust policies relating to its management.

To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations (such as challenging behaviour, abuse etc.) and to support others involved in such situations through Trust-wide approaches including Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for adults with learning disabilities seen within the MHLD service, including working with people who have mental health difficulties and/or challenging behaviours and their networks, within limits expected at Band 7, i.e. achievable by newly-qualified psychologists after a few months on-the-job training.

To select, administer and interpret psychometric and neuropsychological tests, requiring skilled manipulation of test materials, and interpretation and integration of complex data.

To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.

To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.

To provide reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers, service users, their families and professional network.

To select and deliver specialist evidence based therapeutic interventions, drawing on a range of theoretical models, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual and their network.

To promote psychological support for carers (or families as appropriate) of referred clients.

To work as an autonomous professional within professional guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking full responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions.

To communicate skilfully and sensitively highly complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication.

To act as care coordinator or CPA co-ordinator if required, taking responsibility for planning and reviewing care plans, CPA co-ordination and meetings as required

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the MHLD service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.

To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.

To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.

To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.

To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.

To liaise with the service/s MDT and other professionals.

KR 3 Policy and service development

To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.

To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.

To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.

To ensure the cleanliness and safe functioning and use of equipment that will be used by clients or other persons.

To monitor and advise clients on the safe use of materials and processes.

To ensure adequate confidential and safe storage for artefacts produced during the therapy process in line with professional guidelines.

To be responsible for obtaining, storing and maintaining all materials and equipment for the provision of therapy in work setting within budgetary constraints.

KR 5 Management and supervision

To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of an assistant psychologist if required, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.

To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Training Courses Supervision Training.

To provide supervision for the psychological and/or psychotherapeutic work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychological practitioners and specialised training to other professions and staff in local services as appropriate.

To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychological therapy and learning disabilities and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance

To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

KR 8 Research and development

To undertake regular complex service evaluation, audits or research relevant to service needs.

To initiate and carry out appropriate research as agreed.

To provide research advice to other staff undertaking research within the service.

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychological therapist according to professional body and Trust guidelines.

To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with professional body and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and professional Standards for Continuing Professional Development.

To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.

To comply with professional body Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics/Standards of Proficiency and ensure professional development in line with these.

KR10 General

To travel to home visits, community placements, psychology meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.

To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group and follow trust policies relating to its management.

To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations (such as challenging behaviour, abuse etc.) and to support others involved in such situations through Trust-wide approaches including Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration (2)
Registered with professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK. (2)

Experience

Essential

Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature seen within the speciality of learning disabilities. (2)
Experience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs (2)
Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. (2)
Experience of developing and carrying out research, audit or service evaluation projects. (2)

Desirable

Lived experience of mental health or supporting someone with learning disabilities . (2)

Knowledge

Essential

Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of adults with learning disabilities who have additional mental health needs, psychological distress or challenging behaviour (2)
Knowledge of psychological assessment, therapy and clinical psychometrics. (2)
Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities (2)
Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions for people with learning disabilities (2)
Knowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care (2)
To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (2)

Skills

Essential

To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information (2)
To be skilled in the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials. (2)
Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups (2)
Consultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups and sensitively managing, a number of people's needs simultaneously within the context of therapeutic work/consultation. (2)
To select and administer specialist psychological assessments, including neuropsychological assessments, formulation and interventions, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources (2)

Abilities

Essential

Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles (2)
Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate (2)
Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour (2)
Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings (2)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration (2)
Registered with professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK. (2)

Experience

Essential

Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature seen within the speciality of learning disabilities. (2)
Experience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs (2)
Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. (2)
Experience of developing and carrying out research, audit or service evaluation projects. (2)

Desirable

Lived experience of mental health or supporting someone with learning disabilities . (2)

Knowledge

Essential

Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of adults with learning disabilities who have additional mental health needs, psychological distress or challenging behaviour (2)
Knowledge of psychological assessment, therapy and clinical psychometrics. (2)
Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities (2)
Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions for people with learning disabilities (2)
Knowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care (2)
To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (2)

Skills

Essential

To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information (2)
To be skilled in the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials. (2)
Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups (2)
Consultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups and sensitively managing, a number of people's needs simultaneously within the context of therapeutic work/consultation. (2)
To select and administer specialist psychological assessments, including neuropsychological assessments, formulation and interventions, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources (2)

Abilities

Essential

Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles (2)
Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate (2)
Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour (2)
Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings (2)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Old Town Hall

1 Catford Road

London

SE6 4RU

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Old Town Hall

1 Catford Road

London

SE6 4RU

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Julie Steel

julie.steel@slam.nhs.uk

07519702684

Date posted

24 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£54,320 to £60,981 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7151010

Job locations

Old Town Hall

1 Catford Road

London

SE6 4RU

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Job summary

Main duties of the job

About us

Details

Date posted

Pay scheme

Band

Salary

Contract

Working pattern

Reference number

Job locations

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge

Essential

Skills

Essential

Abilities

Essential

Qualifications

Essential

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge

Essential

Skills

Essential

Abilities

Essential

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Employer details

Employer name

Address

Employer's website

Employer details

Employer name

Address

Employer's website

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Details

Date posted

Pay scheme

Band

Salary

Contract

Working pattern

Reference number

Job locations

Supporting documents

Privacy notice