South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Psychotherapist, Practitioner Psychologist & Psychological Therapist

The closing date is 25 January 2026

Job summary

We are excited to advertise this exciting opportunity to join the Psychology and Psychotherapy service in Older Adults at SLAM, working primarily into our Community Mental Health team for Older Adults in Southwark.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work alongside multidisciplinary colleagues in the CMHT and provide a highly specialised psychology/psychotherapy service to Older Adults referred to the psychology and psychotherapy service. This includes offering specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.

We are also currently engaging in Community Transformation work across our CMHTs and would welcome a candidate who is keen to support service development and new ways of working, particularly as it relates to access, experience, and outcomes in our Psychology & Psychotherapy service.

Applicants would benefit from having experience/training working with people with complex emotional needs, co-morbid physical health difficulties and/or cognitive impairment as a result of a neurodegenerative condition.

This post is also offered as a preceptorship role, with candidates progressing from band 7 to 8a following successful demonstration of the necessary competencies.

Main duties of the job

To providehighly specialist psychological interventions to Older Adults within the Community Mental Health Team referred to the Psychology and Psychotherapy service,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, teaching and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a lead specialist in Older Adult's mental health.

To promote 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 interpreting policies within defined parameters.

To agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best achieved.

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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.

SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.

By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. In addition, our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum plus HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7642339

Job locations

Southwark Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults

Marina House

63/65 Denmark Hill

SE5 8RZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for Older Adults within the Older Adults Community Health Team presenting with a range of difficulties including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, complex emotional needs, dementia, co-morbid physical health difficulties, and psychosis.

To provide culturally appropriate psychological or psychotherapeutic 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 and, where appropriate, service users and their families.

To select and deliver evidence-based specialist therapeutic interventions, drawing from a spectrum of ideas and 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, couple, family or group.

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

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically/psychotherapeutically 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 advise other members of the service on specialist psychological/psychotherapeutic care of clients.

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 service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

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

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.

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

To authorise client travel expenses (if required)

KR 5 Management and supervision

To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of more junior psychological practitioners with support from a more senior practitioner.

To supervise trainee psychological practitioners within own area of specialism having completed the relevant Supervision Training.

To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate.

To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate.

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 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 by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

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

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 initiate/undertake, support and supervise regular complex service evaluation and audits.

To initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement and assessment and assist other staff in the implementation of same.

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 maintain 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.

KR10 General

To travel to home visits, community placements, 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 Older Adults within the Older Adults Community Health Team presenting with a range of difficulties including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, complex emotional needs, dementia, co-morbid physical health difficulties, and psychosis.

To provide culturally appropriate psychological or psychotherapeutic 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 and, where appropriate, service users and their families.

To select and deliver evidence-based specialist therapeutic interventions, drawing from a spectrum of ideas and 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, couple, family or group.

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

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically/psychotherapeutically 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 advise other members of the service on specialist psychological/psychotherapeutic care of clients.

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 service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

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

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.

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

To authorise client travel expenses (if required)

KR 5 Management and supervision

To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of more junior psychological practitioners with support from a more senior practitioner.

To supervise trainee psychological practitioners within own area of specialism having completed the relevant Supervision Training.

To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate.

To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate.

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 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 by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

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

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 initiate/undertake, support and supervise regular complex service evaluation and audits.

To initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement and assessment and assist other staff in the implementation of same.

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 maintain 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.

KR10 General

To travel to home visits, community placements, 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

Relevant entry-level qualification in applied psychology/psychological therapy/ psychotherapy and demonstrable practice in this field (eg Professional Doctorate, such as Clinical or Counselling Psychology or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training such as CBT, Psychoanalytic, Arts or Systemic Psychotherapy) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration
Registered with professional body as appropriate to discipline e.g. HCPC/UKCP/ACP/BABCP

Desirable

Additional training beyond entry-level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses and/an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by a registered body and/or an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma or higher.
Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervise qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline
Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body.

Experience

Essential

Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature
Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities

Desirable

Experience working with older adults
Experience of working with people with dementia
Experience of working with trauma
Experience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training.
Experience of carrying out post-qualification research, audit or service evaluation projects.

Knowledge

Essential

Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for working with older adults presenting in community mental health team
Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities
Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.
To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences
Knowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care.

Desirable

Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics.

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
To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers across cultural and other differences
Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data
Skills in providing consultation, teaching and training to other professional groups.

Desirable

To plan the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials

Abilities

Essential

Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate.
Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings
Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these.
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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant entry-level qualification in applied psychology/psychological therapy/ psychotherapy and demonstrable practice in this field (eg Professional Doctorate, such as Clinical or Counselling Psychology or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training such as CBT, Psychoanalytic, Arts or Systemic Psychotherapy) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration
Registered with professional body as appropriate to discipline e.g. HCPC/UKCP/ACP/BABCP

Desirable

Additional training beyond entry-level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses and/an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by a registered body and/or an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma or higher.
Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervise qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline
Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body.

Experience

Essential

Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature
Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities

Desirable

Experience working with older adults
Experience of working with people with dementia
Experience of working with trauma
Experience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training.
Experience of carrying out post-qualification research, audit or service evaluation projects.

Knowledge

Essential

Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for working with older adults presenting in community mental health team
Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities
Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.
To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences
Knowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care.

Desirable

Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics.

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
To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers across cultural and other differences
Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data
Skills in providing consultation, teaching and training to other professional groups.

Desirable

To plan the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials

Abilities

Essential

Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate.
Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings
Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these.
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.

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

Southwark Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults

Marina House

63/65 Denmark Hill

SE5 8RZ

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

Southwark Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults

Marina House

63/65 Denmark Hill

SE5 8RZ

Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Psychology and Psychotherapy CMHT Lead

Natasha Newbery

Natasha.Newbery@slam.nhs.uk

Date posted

15 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum plus HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7642339

Job locations

Southwark Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults

Marina House

63/65 Denmark Hill

SE5 8RZ

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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

Psychotherapist, Practitioner Psychologist & Psychological Therapist

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

Desirable

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge

Essential

Desirable

Skills

Essential

Desirable

Abilities

Essential

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge

Essential

Desirable

Skills

Essential

Desirable

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