NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Principal Therapist for Talking Therapies, Havering

The closing date is 26 November 2025

Job summary

Principal Therapist - Havering

NELFT Talking Therapies are developing and improving their structures , aiming to meet the needs of our users of service more effectively and efficiently.

We are looking for motivated, committed and experienced CBT Therapists, Counselling or Clinical Psychologists to join the leadership Team. The successful candidate will support the Psychological Professional Leads of Talking Therapies to operationally and clinically lead the clinical and administrative teams.

This role is dependant on passing the 6 Months probation period in order to fulfil the permanent role.

Main duties of the job

Havering Talking Therapies are looking for someone with the following skills:

1. Operational/service management experience and skills,

2. Over 3+ years experience as a senior high intensity within Talking Therapies offering clinical oversight with regards to KPI's and line & clinical management of other CBT clinicians.

3. A humanistic approach to leadership of a team, team-building, & prioritisation of staff work-life balance. 4. Working effectively within the senior team to perpetuate a positive team cohesion whilst balancing service KPI delivery.

The post holder will provide operational and clinical leadership for the psychological professionals working in the Talking Therapies, as well as supporting the implementation of good practice guidelines. They will also be required to lead and contribute to service development and evaluation.

The post will involve both direct and indirect clinical work with service users. Specifically, the post holder will carry a case load, as well as providing consultation and support to the team on complex cases.

The post-holder will be required to undertake operational tasks to support service delivery and will represent the service at directorate level and in relevant trust-wide forums.

About us

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High-Cost Area Supplement

This post also attracts payment for High-Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,551 and a maximum payment of £5,735) pro rata for part time staff.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points based system

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Details

Date posted

25 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum (plus HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

395-PP140-25

Job locations

petersfield centre

harold hill

romford

RM3 9PB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification when completing your application. Please ensure you meet the person specifications and have the relevant qualifications required for the role.

The teams operate under a hybrid model so you will be required to spend time working on site and homeworking.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification when completing your application. Please ensure you meet the person specifications and have the relevant qualifications required for the role.

The teams operate under a hybrid model so you will be required to spend time working on site and homeworking.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Post-graduate qualification in Clinical or Counselling psychology, Postgraduate qualification in CBT

Registration

Essential

  • BABCP registration

Experience

Essential

  • A thorough knowledge of evidence based clinical practice and a commitment to keeping abreast of new evidence based practice developments in psychology
  • Experience of working in Talking Therapies
  • Experience of applying NICE compliant therapies relevant to the population

Knowledge

Essential

  • Expert knowledge of CBT interventions for Depression and Anxiety
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Post-graduate qualification in Clinical or Counselling psychology, Postgraduate qualification in CBT

Registration

Essential

  • BABCP registration

Experience

Essential

  • A thorough knowledge of evidence based clinical practice and a commitment to keeping abreast of new evidence based practice developments in psychology
  • Experience of working in Talking Therapies
  • Experience of applying NICE compliant therapies relevant to the population

Knowledge

Essential

  • Expert knowledge of CBT interventions for Depression and Anxiety

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

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

petersfield centre

harold hill

romford

RM3 9PB


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

petersfield centre

harold hill

romford

RM3 9PB


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Professional and Strategic Lead

Dr Laura Fontaine

laura.fontaine@nelft.nhs.uk

03003001554

Details

Date posted

25 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum (plus HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

395-PP140-25

Job locations

petersfield centre

harold hill

romford

RM3 9PB


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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