Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant Practitioner Psychologist

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We have a very exciting for an experienced consultant psychologist or someone aspiring to work at this level within older people's services in East Sussex. The role is on a fixed-term contract basis to cover the leadership gap when the current post holder is training to become an Approved Clinician.

Main duties of the job

Specialist Older Adult Mental Health Services (SOAMHS) are part of adult mental health provision. Within in East Sussex we have many psychologists, psychological therapists, trainees (psychologists and therapists), assistants, mental health and wellbeing practitioners and graduate mental health practitioners. There are multiple opportunities to work collaboratively as part of this wider group allowing you to develop your areas of specialist interest, research and development.

About us

East Sussex has one of the largest populations of older people in the UK and we strive to provide an innovative and excellent mental health service. We are committed to being part of East Sussex's community transformation programme to ensure that 'older adults' are fundamental to all strategic thinking. Moreover, the dementia care pathway has been recently identified as a specific strategic priority for the East Sussex Mental Health Oversight Board, which includes NHS and partner organisations. As such there is a significant opportunity to support and lead on service development. The successful candidate will be joining a supportive and forward-thinking leadership team. The overall lead for psychological professions for East Sussex is an older adult psychologist and would provide clinical and professional supervision for this post.

Details

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year Pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

22 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

354-AE-21276

Job locations

Conquest Hospital

Hastings

TN37 7RD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Providing strategic and professional leadership for services for older people in East Sussex

Professional and clinical supervision of all PP clinicians in East Sussex teams.

Provision of clinical service to specific service area, most likely St Raphael Ward at Conquest Hospital

Working on the development and evaluation of psychological services across East Sussex as part of a consultant leadership group.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Providing strategic and professional leadership for services for older people in East Sussex

Professional and clinical supervision of all PP clinicians in East Sussex teams.

Provision of clinical service to specific service area, most likely St Raphael Ward at Conquest Hospital

Working on the development and evaluation of psychological services across East Sussex as part of a consultant leadership group.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Post-graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology [or its equivalent for those trained before 1996 or outside the UK] as approved by the HCPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
  • Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
  • Accredited / registered with professional body / regulator as detailed above

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

  • Doctoral level knowledge of applied psychology and psychological therapy including highly developed knowledge of lifespan developmental psychology, models of psychopathology
  • Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology
  • Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological practice
  • Assessed extensive experience of working as a qualified or registered Practioner psychologist, Psychotherapist or psychological therapist, including significant post-qualification experience within the Specific Care Group/Service.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of the theory and practice of leadership and management in mental health services
  • Extensive experience of providing successful clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary mental health provider context
  • High level knowledge of national policy frameworks and initiatives and the mental health economy within which the Trust services are provided
  • Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological practice
  • Experience of the successful professional management of psychotherapists, psychological therapists, Practioner psychologists and other psychological professionals
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Post-graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology [or its equivalent for those trained before 1996 or outside the UK] as approved by the HCPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
  • Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
  • Accredited / registered with professional body / regulator as detailed above

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

  • Doctoral level knowledge of applied psychology and psychological therapy including highly developed knowledge of lifespan developmental psychology, models of psychopathology
  • Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology
  • Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological practice
  • Assessed extensive experience of working as a qualified or registered Practioner psychologist, Psychotherapist or psychological therapist, including significant post-qualification experience within the Specific Care Group/Service.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of the theory and practice of leadership and management in mental health services
  • Extensive experience of providing successful clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary mental health provider context
  • High level knowledge of national policy frameworks and initiatives and the mental health economy within which the Trust services are provided
  • Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological practice
  • Experience of the successful professional management of psychotherapists, psychological therapists, Practioner psychologists and other psychological professionals

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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Conquest Hospital

Hastings

TN37 7RD


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Conquest Hospital

Hastings

TN37 7RD


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Jane Vinnicombe

jane.vinnicombe1@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year Pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

22 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

354-AE-21276

Job locations

Conquest Hospital

Hastings

TN37 7RD


Supporting documents

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