South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist

The closing date is 12 August 2025

Job summary

Experienced counsellor with extensive IAPT/Talking Therapies experience interested in taking on a management role?

Lewisham Talking Therapies are looking to recruit a half-time 8a lead for our counselling team. The role would involve line management and clinical supervision. You would be designing and implementing a care pathway for counselling that makes best use of our skilled and experienced team within the network of counselling services in Lewisham. You would be part of the management team, making sure that the counselling perspective influences the direction of the service.

We are looking for an experienced counsellor, accredited and able to supervise in Counselling for Depression and/or IPT, with a passion for making counselling work within the Talking Therapies focus on meeting activity requirements and improving clinical outcomes. Alongside your clinical skills and experience, you will have skills in using clinical data to improve services.

Main duties of the job

This role is within the Step 3 management team, and the postholder will have the lead for managing and developing counselling services.

The team leads are also be expected to work autonomously as a Senior Psychotherapist within professional guidelines and the overall framework of the service's policies and procedures.

They provide high quality specialist supervision. and support supervisees in meeting performance targets as defined by the service, as well as meeting personal performance targets set in agreement with service lead.

About us

The service links with the IAPT training courses at King's College/ Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN); University College London and The University of Exeter. We also work with centres of clinical excellence and research innovation such as the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (CADAT).

Our motivated staff have engaged with specialised training thus allowing us to offer CBT, CfD, EMDR, DIT, IPT and BCT. Considerable partnership work already exists with our community and we are pleased to hear from applicants who have areas of special interests or skills in leading on this work

We are a diverse, friendly service that aims to listen to and value our staff and aims to promote opportunities to progress people in terms of their continued professional development.

Date posted

29 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,927 to £68,676 a year per annum incl. of HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7324836

Job locations

Borough of Lewisham

Lewisham

SE6 4RU

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

PLANNING, MANAGING AND EVALUATING THE DELIVERY OF COUNSELLING SERVICES WITHIN LEWISHAM TALKING THERAPIES

Assessing the service need and current and future capacity requirements
Leading the development of a triage assessment and signposting process that creates a good match between internal counselling referrals and our treatment capacity
Developing good links with third sector counselling providers in Lewisham to support signposting and onward referral
Monitoring and evaluating service activity and outcomes
Managing the induction, training and development of staff
Developing and updating policies and procedures for the delivery of high-quality clinical services
Commissioning and monitoring external provision of services as agreed

TEAM MANAGEMENT

To contribute to the development of a culture within the team that values the use of goal-oriented, time-limited and focused interventions and the use of outcome measures and patient feedback as a way of evaluating progress.

Supporting clinicians within the service to meet activity requirements as set by commissioners, whilst retaining a focus on patient centred care.

To participate in recruitment for Band 7 Counsellors and other team members as required.

Support clinicians within the service to meet activity requirements as set by commissioners, whilst retaining a focus on patient centred care.

To agree job plans, performance targets and development goals with your team through the appraisal process, and monitor and support staff in their achievement

To foster a supportive and performance focussed team ethos through your interaction and communication with the team, your own behaviour, team meetings and supervision
To provide day to day line management for your team (annual leave, sickness etc)
Ensuring good two-way communication between your staff and the service management, through monthly team meetings and informal links

SERVICE LEADERSHIP

To share responsibility for the direction and development of the service, taking an active role in the monthly service management meeting, leading team and whole team meetings
To ensure that the counselling perspective is considered in service management discussions and plans
To provide regular reports on the activity and performance of the team, and any issues that need attention
To identify aspects of the service, which could be improved and initiate and implement service development projects
To take the lead in agreed areas of development and service delivery
To participate in the recruitment process of staff
To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and developing services
To listen and respond to, and appropriately manage patient complaints
To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the directorate clinical governance committee.
Contribute to the development of a culture within the team that values the use of outcome measures and service user involvement as ways of improving clinical practice

IMPROVING OUTCOMES for GLOBAL MAJORITY CLIENTS

Leading the implementation of the service diversity strategy within the counselling team

Identifying and taking forward opportunities to improve outcomes for global majority clients from service outcome analysis

Identifying therapist and supervisor development needs in working with global majority clients and organising an ongoing programme of induction and CPD to meet these needs.

Ensuring that the needs of global majority clients have a strong focus within the counselling team.

CLINICAL

To maintain professional accreditation with relevant professional body eg the BABCP, UKCP; keep an updated CPD and reflective practice log and attend training to maintain skills and competencies as appropriate

To exercise professional responsibility for the assessment, intervention and discharge of clients, using highest level of interpersonal and communication skills when presenting and receiving complex, sensitive and contentious information to clients, family, support workers and other professionals

To provide expertise in a highly specialist clinical area which will contribute to the treatment of clients presenting with anxiety disorders or depression within a Talking Therapies framework
To deliver NICE recommended, formulation driven psychological interventions for depression, adapting interventions for the specific needs and clinical setting.
Assess and integrate issues surrounding social support, voluntary work and employment into therapy
To provide highly specialist assessment and clinical formulation to clients with complex mental health needs, including personality disorders, addiction and trauma
To provide psychological reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers and, where appropriate, service users
To select and deliver highly specialist evidence based psychological treatments, monitoring outcomes and modifying and adapting interventions, drawing on a range of theoretical models
To collect and enter clinical outcome data on a sessional basis; select and interpret outcome measures to inform treatment planning
To work as an autonomous professional within BPS/HCPC guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking full responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions
To travel to community settings as appropriate and across the Trust when required
To contribute to the effective working of the team and to a psychologically informed framework for the service area, taking on specific roles or duties as agreed
To communicate skilfully and sensitively highly complex and sensitive information with clients, carers, colleagues and other professionals taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication
To keep clear, accurate and up to date records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols
To confidently assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans
To confidently advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of clients
To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations such as distressed clients or abusive behaviour and to support others involved in such situations
To provide services at various locations in the borough of Lewisham
To provide information and signposting for patients who do not meet the services eligibility criteria, including referral tosecondary care psychological therapies service
Work closely with other members of the Talking Therapies team to ensure that patients referred on to the Talking Therapies service have a clear referral pathway
Maintain a clinical caseload in line with activity targets agreed with line manager

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist/psychotherapist according to BABCP/BPS/HCPC and Trust guidelines
To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within Lewisham Talking Therapies by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in counselling and Talking Therapies and by implementing knowledge gained in practice
To provide professional managerial, and clinical supervision to counsellors for all aspects of their work.
To provide post-qualification training (CPD) and clinical professional supervision to Band 6 trainee and band 7 Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
To deliver and promote outcome-focussed supervision
To provide service level risk management, taking part in the on-call risk rota, and developing and recording risk management plans
To provide specialist training to other professions as appropriate
To plan and undertake teaching and training of pre- and post- qualification psychologists and specialised training to other professions as appropriate
To provide supervision for the psychological work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate

RESEARCH AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Assist in the development and maintenance of a strong research culture that values the use of outcome measures as a way of improving clinical practice
Encourage the critical evaluation of practice, and undertake research
Use theory and literature to support evidence-based practice in clinical work, supervision, teaching and consultations
Communicate and disseminate research and service evaluation information so that clinical practice is appropriately informed
To contribute to the development of services through initiating, undertaking and supervising service evaluation and audit
To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles

PROFESSIONAL

Work as an autonomous professional and maintain standards of practice adhering to HPC or BABCP guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions
To ensure Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS/BABCP/UKCP and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements
Be aware of advances in counselling other psychological therapies and the Talking Therapies programme
Work in accordance with the principles of counselling and within the parameters of good practice, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Clinical Governance Framework

GENERAL

To participate in business and professional meetings within the Talking Therapies service and Lewisham Directorate
To travel to the GP practices, service meetings and other meetings as appropriate

To regularly work one evening as required

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

PLANNING, MANAGING AND EVALUATING THE DELIVERY OF COUNSELLING SERVICES WITHIN LEWISHAM TALKING THERAPIES

Assessing the service need and current and future capacity requirements
Leading the development of a triage assessment and signposting process that creates a good match between internal counselling referrals and our treatment capacity
Developing good links with third sector counselling providers in Lewisham to support signposting and onward referral
Monitoring and evaluating service activity and outcomes
Managing the induction, training and development of staff
Developing and updating policies and procedures for the delivery of high-quality clinical services
Commissioning and monitoring external provision of services as agreed

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Supporting clinicians within the service to meet activity requirements as set by commissioners, whilst retaining a focus on patient centred care.

To participate in recruitment for Band 7 Counsellors and other team members as required.

Support clinicians within the service to meet activity requirements as set by commissioners, whilst retaining a focus on patient centred care.

To agree job plans, performance targets and development goals with your team through the appraisal process, and monitor and support staff in their achievement

To foster a supportive and performance focussed team ethos through your interaction and communication with the team, your own behaviour, team meetings and supervision
To provide day to day line management for your team (annual leave, sickness etc)
Ensuring good two-way communication between your staff and the service management, through monthly team meetings and informal links

SERVICE LEADERSHIP

To share responsibility for the direction and development of the service, taking an active role in the monthly service management meeting, leading team and whole team meetings
To ensure that the counselling perspective is considered in service management discussions and plans
To provide regular reports on the activity and performance of the team, and any issues that need attention
To identify aspects of the service, which could be improved and initiate and implement service development projects
To take the lead in agreed areas of development and service delivery
To participate in the recruitment process of staff
To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and developing services
To listen and respond to, and appropriately manage patient complaints
To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the directorate clinical governance committee.
Contribute to the development of a culture within the team that values the use of outcome measures and service user involvement as ways of improving clinical practice

IMPROVING OUTCOMES for GLOBAL MAJORITY CLIENTS

Leading the implementation of the service diversity strategy within the counselling team

Identifying and taking forward opportunities to improve outcomes for global majority clients from service outcome analysis

Identifying therapist and supervisor development needs in working with global majority clients and organising an ongoing programme of induction and CPD to meet these needs.

Ensuring that the needs of global majority clients have a strong focus within the counselling team.

CLINICAL

To provide expertise in a highly specialist clinical area which will contribute to the treatment of clients presenting with anxiety disorders or depression within a Talking Therapies framework
To deliver NICE recommended, formulation driven psychological interventions for depression, adapting interventions for the specific needs and clinical setting.
Assess and integrate issues surrounding social support, voluntary work and employment into therapy
To provide highly specialist assessment and clinical formulation to clients with complex mental health needs, including personality disorders, addiction and trauma
To provide psychological reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers and, where appropriate, service users
To select and deliver highly specialist evidence based psychological treatments, monitoring outcomes and modifying and adapting interventions, drawing on a range of theoretical models
To collect and enter clinical outcome data on a sessional basis; select and interpret outcome measures to inform treatment planning
To work as an autonomous professional within BPS/HCPC guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking full responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions
To travel to community settings as appropriate and across the Trust when required
To contribute to the effective working of the team and to a psychologically informed framework for the service area, taking on specific roles or duties as agreed
To communicate skilfully and sensitively highly complex and sensitive information with clients, carers, colleagues and other professionals taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication
To keep clear, accurate and up to date records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols
To confidently assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans
To confidently advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of clients
To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations such as distressed clients or abusive behaviour and to support others involved in such situations
To provide services at various locations in the borough of Lewisham
To provide information and signposting for patients who do not meet the services eligibility criteria, including referral tosecondary care psychological therapies service
Work closely with other members of the Talking Therapies team to ensure that patients referred on to the Talking Therapies service have a clear referral pathway
Maintain a clinical caseload in line with activity targets agreed with line manager

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist/psychotherapist according to BABCP/BPS/HCPC and Trust guidelines
To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within Lewisham Talking Therapies by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in counselling and Talking Therapies and by implementing knowledge gained in practice
To provide professional managerial, and clinical supervision to counsellors for all aspects of their work.
To provide post-qualification training (CPD) and clinical professional supervision to Band 6 trainee and band 7 Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
To deliver and promote outcome-focussed supervision
To provide service level risk management, taking part in the on-call risk rota, and developing and recording risk management plans
To provide specialist training to other professions as appropriate
To plan and undertake teaching and training of pre- and post- qualification psychologists and specialised training to other professions as appropriate
To provide supervision for the psychological work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate

RESEARCH AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Assist in the development and maintenance of a strong research culture that values the use of outcome measures as a way of improving clinical practice
Encourage the critical evaluation of practice, and undertake research
Use theory and literature to support evidence-based practice in clinical work, supervision, teaching and consultations
Communicate and disseminate research and service evaluation information so that clinical practice is appropriately informed
To contribute to the development of services through initiating, undertaking and supervising service evaluation and audit
To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles

PROFESSIONAL

Work as an autonomous professional and maintain standards of practice adhering to HPC or BABCP guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions
To ensure Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS/BABCP/UKCP and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements
Be aware of advances in counselling other psychological therapies and the Talking Therapies programme
Work in accordance with the principles of counselling and within the parameters of good practice, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Clinical Governance Framework

GENERAL

To participate in business and professional meetings within the Talking Therapies service and Lewisham Directorate
To travel to the GP practices, service meetings and other meetings as appropriate

To regularly work one evening as required

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

Post-graduate diploma, master's degree or doctorate in Psychotherapy, Counselling, or Counselling Psychology
Accredited in a Talking Therapies high intensity modality - CfD or IPT
Experience and confidence in data management and communicating relevant information within the wider service and other relevant parties.
Experience of building effective working relationships with multi-disciplinary team colleagues, community partners and other groups committed to reducing health inequalities.
Experience in clinical supervision and decision making within the stepped care model within an NHS Talking Therapies service.

Desirable

Leadership Training
Training in an additional therapy modality offered in TT (e.g. IPT, DIT, CFD, BCT)

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

Significant experience in the clinical supervision of Therapists within an TT context and decision making within the stepped care model within TT services and including other mental health services.
Extensive experience of using TT approved treatments in assessing and treating patients with complex presentations of depression and other comorbidities
Experience of using data to improve clinical outcomes and service efficiency
Specific experience of contributing to service developments and improvements, and taking responsibility for change management and evaluation of systems.

Desirable

Experience and confidence in data management and communicating relevant information within the wider service and other relevant parties
Experience of working within an NHS Talking therapies service with managerial responsibilities, with a proven ability to take authority with sound decision making in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Experience of line management in an NHS TT service

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Ability to manage agreed service targets and manage own caseload and time, and oversee this for people they manage
Ability to manipulate, interpret and communicate service and outcomes data

Desirable

Ability to manage capacity and scheduling of resources to meet demands.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

Post-graduate diploma, master's degree or doctorate in Psychotherapy, Counselling, or Counselling Psychology
Accredited in a Talking Therapies high intensity modality - CfD or IPT
Experience and confidence in data management and communicating relevant information within the wider service and other relevant parties.
Experience of building effective working relationships with multi-disciplinary team colleagues, community partners and other groups committed to reducing health inequalities.
Experience in clinical supervision and decision making within the stepped care model within an NHS Talking Therapies service.

Desirable

Leadership Training
Training in an additional therapy modality offered in TT (e.g. IPT, DIT, CFD, BCT)

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

Significant experience in the clinical supervision of Therapists within an TT context and decision making within the stepped care model within TT services and including other mental health services.
Extensive experience of using TT approved treatments in assessing and treating patients with complex presentations of depression and other comorbidities
Experience of using data to improve clinical outcomes and service efficiency
Specific experience of contributing to service developments and improvements, and taking responsibility for change management and evaluation of systems.

Desirable

Experience and confidence in data management and communicating relevant information within the wider service and other relevant parties
Experience of working within an NHS Talking therapies service with managerial responsibilities, with a proven ability to take authority with sound decision making in a fast-paced clinical environment.
Experience of line management in an NHS TT service

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Ability to manage agreed service targets and manage own caseload and time, and oversee this for people they manage
Ability to manipulate, interpret and communicate service and outcomes data

Desirable

Ability to manage capacity and scheduling of resources to meet demands.

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

Borough of Lewisham

Lewisham

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

Borough of Lewisham

Lewisham

SE6 4RU

Employer's website

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