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Priory Healthcare

Head of Psychology

The closing date is 31 July 2025

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Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the Psychology service at Stockton Hall Hospital. The ideal candidate will be an experienced Consultant Psychologist, with robust experience within a forensic setting; someone who is a confident leader and is keen to develop to contribute to service development, including trauma informed care.

At Stockton Hall Hospital, just outside York, we are well-known for producing positive clinical outcomes for highly complex patients. We currently provide a medium-secure care setting in which patients access a broad range of therapeutic interventions including one-to-one and group-based psychological treatments.

Our service has produced excellent recovery results for patients, maximising their opportunity to progress to conditions of lower-security and community settings as safely and efficiently as possible.

Main duties of the job

  • You will be a confident leader who is keen to help develop others.
  • You will understand the dynamics of working in a secure hospital and be able to help offer containment and support to those who need it within a culture of compassion.
  • You will provide professional leadership to the psychology team, contribute to the development of services and work to influence organisational thinking relating to the delivery of psychologically informed care.
  • You will advise at a senior management level on psychological aspects of organisational functioning, including the health and well-being of our colleagues.
  • You will also work clinically with a dynamic multi-professional team leading development of individual formulations and psychological assessment. With the support of other members of the psychology team, you will support the development and delivery of behavioural and other psychological interventions for patients and service users and provide appropriately developed psychologically informed guidance to reduce risks, aid recovery and independence.
  • As Head of Psychology you will be also be working with clients with complex needs.
  • You will hold a clinical caseload, develop and deliver formulation led care, and be competent in a range of therapeutic delivery such as EMDR, DBT, CBT and CAT.

About us

About us

As one of the UKs leading providers of behavioural care and specialist support services, Priory promise a challenging and fulfilling career with the support of a world class organisation willing to invest in your development.Across our network of hospitals, residential care homes and supported living services, we are making a real and lasting difference to the lives of the people we support.

As part of our wider infection control efforts, and to meet our commissioner and customer requirements, we continue to record vaccination status for all colleagues and we therefore request that you disclose this information as part of your Pre-Employment checks.Your vaccination statuswill not affect any offer of employmentand will be held in line with GDPR requirements. We thank you for your understanding.

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience £78,250 - £81,500 depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

E0358-Stockton5

Job locations

Stockton Hall Hospital

The Village

Stockton On The Forest

York

YO32 9UN


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Head of Psychology will work closely with the Hospital Director, Director of Clinical Services and Medical Director. It will be the responsibility of the Head of Psychology to ensure both the professional psychological practice and quality of the psychology department, to ensure excellence in patient experience and outcomes.

You will be responsible for the delivery of reflective practice groups within the services and do so with an understanding of the model underpinning your service.

You will have effective consultancy skills and able to manage clinical/organisational projects; and have competence in line management responsibilities and service-related standards including clinical governance.

What we offer you:

Salary competitive based on skills and experience Support and opportunities for continuing professional developmentOption and support to progress through The Priory NetworkContributory pension scheme Paid sick leave (after qualifying period) Generous annual leave entitlement + Your birthday off Enhanced maternity pay Private Healthcare Free parking

You can also take advantage of clear career pathways and support around training and personal development.

If you are successful, you will be expected to complete a full two weeks induction upon starting with us at Priory and these occur on the first two weeks of every month. If you have to work a notice with your current employer, we recommend you do not hand your notice in until we are able to provide a start date to ensure a smooth transition between companies.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Head of Psychology will work closely with the Hospital Director, Director of Clinical Services and Medical Director. It will be the responsibility of the Head of Psychology to ensure both the professional psychological practice and quality of the psychology department, to ensure excellence in patient experience and outcomes.

You will be responsible for the delivery of reflective practice groups within the services and do so with an understanding of the model underpinning your service.

You will have effective consultancy skills and able to manage clinical/organisational projects; and have competence in line management responsibilities and service-related standards including clinical governance.

What we offer you:

Salary competitive based on skills and experience Support and opportunities for continuing professional developmentOption and support to progress through The Priory NetworkContributory pension scheme Paid sick leave (after qualifying period) Generous annual leave entitlement + Your birthday off Enhanced maternity pay Private Healthcare Free parking

You can also take advantage of clear career pathways and support around training and personal development.

If you are successful, you will be expected to complete a full two weeks induction upon starting with us at Priory and these occur on the first two weeks of every month. If you have to work a notice with your current employer, we recommend you do not hand your notice in until we are able to provide a start date to ensure a smooth transition between companies.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • A confident grasp of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and at least two other therapeutic modalities at least one of which includes training in an intervention suitable for working with e.g. (equivalent location specific disorders).
  • An understanding and application of therapy principles with a willingness to train in therapies if not already received.
  • Experience of working in areas of Complex Clients and at a strategic level. Also in delivering high level interventions for those complex service users.
  • Training in Clinical Supervision
  • Understanding, experience and training in assessment such as (make specific to the environment and population)
  • Leadership and management experience.

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registration
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • A confident grasp of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and at least two other therapeutic modalities at least one of which includes training in an intervention suitable for working with e.g. (equivalent location specific disorders).
  • An understanding and application of therapy principles with a willingness to train in therapies if not already received.
  • Experience of working in areas of Complex Clients and at a strategic level. Also in delivering high level interventions for those complex service users.
  • Training in Clinical Supervision
  • Understanding, experience and training in assessment such as (make specific to the environment and population)
  • Leadership and management experience.

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registration

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.

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.

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

Priory Healthcare

Address

Stockton Hall Hospital

The Village

Stockton On The Forest

York

YO32 9UN


Employer's website

https://jobs.priorygroup.com/why-join-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Priory Healthcare

Address

Stockton Hall Hospital

The Village

Stockton On The Forest

York

YO32 9UN


Employer's website

https://jobs.priorygroup.com/why-join-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Talent Acquisitions Partner

Priory Group - Farah Gigani

FarahGigani@priorygroup.com

07764326299

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience £78,250 - £81,500 depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

E0358-Stockton5

Job locations

Stockton Hall Hospital

The Village

Stockton On The Forest

York

YO32 9UN


Supporting documents

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