Senior Principal Clinical Psychologist – Learning Disabilities - INTERNAL ONLY

NHS Scotland

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland. In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful
. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Principal Clinical Psychologist – Learning Disabilities based at North West Area Centre. This post is offered on a permanent basis.

28.8 hours per week. From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.

A UK driving licence is essential for this role.

The post-holder will work closely with multidisciplinary colleagues and hold a caseload providing specialist psychological assessment (including neuropsychological testing), formulation and evidence-based psychological treatment (individual and group) to adults with learning disabilities presenting with a wide range of complex psychological difficulties. The postholder will provide support to the wider system through consultation, supervision and training, and will have broad service development and delegated line management responsibilities.

Clinical supervision for the post-holder will be provided by an experienced Clinical Psychologist.

• Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
• Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential in this role.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.

It is essential that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored before submitting your application form. NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria.

When considering if a post meets the salary threshold for sponsorship, please note the salary advertised is based on a full-time contract and must be pro-rated for part-time positions. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.

If you would like to find out more about the role, please contact Dr Karen Stevenson, Consultant Clinical Psychologist/ Service Lead (Karen) or Dr Ken Mac Mahon, Consultant Clinical Psychologist/ Head of Psychological Specialty (Kennet).