Clinical Psychologist

Job responsibilities

The William Henry Smith Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The foundation has effective child and adult protection policies which provide clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with safeguarding issues. Our recruitment process aims to create and maintain a safe workforce and contains robust vetting procedures. The successful applicant will be appointed subject to references and enhanced DBS check (this is a position working in regulated activity). The successful candidate will be subject to a rigorous safer recruitment process and must adhere to a strict code of conduct regarding behaviour at all times. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online searches in accordance with KCSIE 2025. The Foundation is also committed to promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of both students and staff and reflects life in Modern Britain.

About the Role:

This role combines direct therapeutic work, strategic service development, and professional supervision and training. You will work closely with the Head of Therapeutic Practice and Health to lead psychologically informed care across the Foundation and to develop a high-quality, evidence-based therapeutic service.

You will provide assessment, formulation and intervention for complex presentations, while supporting and developing a multidisciplinary workforce through supervision, reflective practice and training.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Practice

• Deliver high-quality psychological assessments and therapeutic interventions (1:1 and group).
• Provide specialist consultation, formulation and advice for complex multi-disciplinary cases.
• Offer psychological support to children, young adults, families and staff systems onsite, offsite and via remote platforms.
• Integrate therapeutic goals within IEPs, EHCPs and wider educational planning.
• Promote trauma-informed, PBS and psychologically informed approaches across the Foundation.

Leadership & Service Development

• Provide clinical leadership, supervision and training to the Health, Therapies and Families Team.
• Supervise assistant psychologists, trainees, psychology students and other MDT colleagues.
• Lead and contribute to service development, policy implementation and quality improvement.
• Support recruitment, shortlisting and interviewing across the service.
• Lead on audits, service evaluation and research projects, sharing outcomes internally and externally.
• Champion psychologically and trauma-informed care across the organisation.

Collaboration & Advocacy

• Work collaboratively with families, education staff, health and social care professionals.
• Liaise with external agencies to advocate for students and families.
• Support crisis responses in line with safeguarding procedures.
• Promote equality, inclusion and culturally responsive practice.

Professional Practice

• Maintain HCPC registration and adhere to BPS, HCPC and other relevant professional codes.
• Engage in regular clinical and line management supervision.
• Maintain a strong CPD profile and contribute to research, audit and evidence-based practice.
• Stay up to date with legislation, NICE guidance and national directives

About You:

• Doctoral level qualification in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent).
• HCPC registration.
• Significant experience working with children, young people and families.
• Experience of complex assessment, formulation and intervention.
• Proven leadership and supervision experience within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, PBS and psychologically informed practice.
• Excellent communication, report writing and relationship-building skills.
• Personally aligned with our values and committed to our mission.

Qualifications

Essential

• Post-graduate Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS
• Relevant & significant post-qualification experience
• Registered as a clinical psychologist with the HCPC
• Fully competent as a Clinical Psychologist with up-to-date knowledge of mental health and wellbeing in children
• Evidence of and commitment to continuing professional and personal development since qualification and registration
• Clinical supervision training

Desirable

• Evidence of further qualification or training relevant to the field of SEMH
• Post qualification training in CAT, Schema Therapy, systemic therapy, DBT or CBT
• Additional training in HSB, violence and aggression, safeguarding
• Up to date knowledge of issues in special education

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Enthusiasm for work within an education system.
• Ability to work under pressure and set priorities.
• Ability to cope and work with frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotional situations including children, young adults and parents / carers who may be distressed, angry, confrontational or violent.
• Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and the ability to hold the stress of others
• Ability to work within teams and motivate others as well as working autonomously
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods during assessments, patient interviews, case conferences
• Has integrity, is reliable, self-aware and remains calm in crisis
• Is warm and empathic with a compassionate, and non-judgmental approach to working, with a commitment to empowering families.
• Resilient, with the ability to manage emotional challenges and maintain professional boundaries.
• A collaborative mindset, with the commitment and ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and under the supervision of the Head of Therapeutic Practice and Health.
• Commitment to the Foundations aims, ethos and values including promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, Quality of Life and Positive Behaviour Support in all aspects of the role.
• Possesses a determination to succeed, and is passionate about their work, discipline and professional interests.
• Has the ability to adapt to and promote change.
• A strong team player with the ability to work collaboratively across different teams and the William Henry Smith Foundation functions.

Experience

Essential

• Considerable experience of working as a psychologist with children and adults with SEMH, neurodevelopmental conditions, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and experiences of trauma
• Experience of teaching, training and providing professional and /or clinical supervision.
• Experience of and ability to conduct and develop assessment and formulations to inform and implement intervention plans and recommendations for others in a range of settings
• Experience of effective working within multidisciplinary services (working with both clinical and non-clinical, internal and external professionals)
• Experience of offering consultation and advice to staff groups supporting vulnerable clients
• Experience supporting families facing complex challenges, including trauma, family breakdown, behavioural difficulties and of working with children who are looked after (CLA) and /or adopted and their families
• Experience of effectively working across different systems / levels within an organisation e.g. service development, group and individual levels

Desirable

• Published research or writing in professional/academic outlets
• Experience as a qualified psychologist across multiple services
• Previous experience working in an educational setting or SEMH school
• Experience delivering workshops or training sessions for parents and carers

Additional Factors

Essential

• Willingness to work flexible hours, to accommodate child and family needs.
• Holds a valid UK driving licence, and can undertake home / external visits as required.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex situations involving a range of options to make decisions about an appropriate course of action or solution to a problem.
• Skilled in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management with both children and adult service users and their families.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical and clinically sensitive information to clients, their families and professionals both within and outside clinical / therapeutic services.
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for complex problems (e.g. trauma, communication challenges, behaviours that challenge).
• The ability to lead psychological services within an MDT and to work collaboratively with professionals from other disciplines.
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology and the ability to use evaluation tools to demonstrate and improve service effectiveness and outcomes.
• Knowledge of legislation and national standards and guidelines that relate this client group.
• Familiarity and proficiency with evidence-based, client and family centred approaches, including Systemic Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or trauma-informed practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and build trust and rapport with families from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple cases effectively and maintain accurate records
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the ability to identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Sound understanding of client confidentiality and ethics.

Desirable

• Familiarity with the challenges faced by families in navigating educational systems and mental health services.
• Ability to develop creative and adaptable strategies to meet the unique needs of children, young adults and families.
• Awareness of local community resources and services to support children and families.

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).