Specialist Clinical​/Counselling Psychologist

Overview

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Job title: Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist - Older Adult Frailty Services (Band 8a)

Service: Older Adult Frailty Pathway / Integrated Frailty Team

Accountable to: Consultant Clinical Psychologist / Professional Lead

Location: Across community, acute, and primary care settings as required

Hours: Full-time

Closing date: 06 March 2026

To provide a highly specialist clinical psychology service to older adults within the Frailty Pathway, including comprehensive psychological and cognitive assessment, formulation, intervention, and outcome evaluation.

To work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary Frailty Team and wider system partners to enhance psychological wellbeing, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and support safe, person-centred care.

To offer specialist consultation and supervision to colleagues, supporting psychologically informed practice across frailty, community, and acute care settings.

To contribute to service evaluation, audit, and research within the Older Adult Frailty Service.

To work autonomously within professional guidelines (HCPC, BPS) and Trust policies, interpreting these within the context of complex clinical presentations such as dementia, delirium, multimorbidity, and carer stress.

To agree outcomes with the clinical/professional lead and determine how best to achieve them.

Be part of a new Trauma Informed service that improves the lives of those living in our community. The work is varied, and no two days are the same. The work is equally rewarding in playing a part in the lives of experienced people. You will be working alongside a Team who are committed to CPD for your growth and professional training.

We also encourage research and creative community approaches to meet the diverse needs of our culturally rich borough of Harrow.

Members of our team have contributed to literature and research on antiracist practice, DIT with Older People, Inpatient Formulation and psychological approaches for hoarding disorder, amongst others.

Working as part of CNWL NHS Trust will also open other opportunities for internal and external CPD offered as part of your career progression. We have a range of live and on-demand CPD available at your convenience to all our Psychology Staff.

The opportunity to work more hours may be available in the future as we look to combine posts within other services.

We welcome an informal conversation about this role prior to applying; please email  in the first instance.

To provide highly specialist psychological assessments for older adults presenting with frailty, cognitive impairment, dementia, delirium, complex physical health needs, and associated psychological distress.

To deliver evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to older adults, including those with cognitive impairment, sensory loss, or communication difficulties.

To provide culturally sensitive psychological support and interventions for carers and families, including psychoeducation, coping strategies, and emotional support.

To assess and manage clinical risk, including self-neglect, vulnerability, safeguarding concerns, and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

To act as a keyworker or care coordinator where appropriate, contributing to care planning, review processes, and multidisciplinary decision-making.

To support early identification of psychological needs within the frailty pathway to prevent deterioration and reduce unnecessary hospitalisation.

• Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration
• Doctorate or equivalent in Clinical or Counselling Psychology
• Additional training in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal postqualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma
• Completed training course in clinical supervision
• Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC
• Neuropsychology training

• Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in older adults services
• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature including dementia, delirium and functional difficulties
• Experience of supervising assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training.
• Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities
• Experience of carrying…