Principal Clinical​/Counselling Psychologist

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Closing date: 30 January 2026.

We are delighted to invite applications from an experienced, enthusiastic and compassionate Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join our Older People's Psychology team as a Principal Psychologist (0.6 WTE / 22.5 hours per week). We welcome applications from those already working at Principal Psychologist level, as well as those ready to step up into this role.

This is a leadership and highly specialist clinical role for a psychologist with a strong interest in working with older adults living in the community with mental health difficulties and/or dementia. You will play a key role in shaping high-quality, person-centred psychological care across East Surrey, while supporting and developing a skilled psychology workforce.

You will receive professional and clinical supervision from the Lead Consultant Psychologist for Older People's Services, alongside specialist group neuropsychology supervision from a Clinical Neuropsychologist. You will join a friendly and supportive network of psychologists working with older people in community and inpatient services across Surrey and North East Hampshire.

We have a strong culture of reflection, learning and professional development. Our service has close links with the University of Surrey Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Programme, offering placements and contributing to teaching.

The role requires travel across sites and home visits as part of community-based working. A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

Leadership and Supervision

• Providing professional leadership, supervision and clinical governance oversight for Psychologists working within Older People's Community Mental Health Teams across East Surrey (covering Epsom, Redhill, Tandridge, Mole Valley and Elmbridge).
• Supporting and developing psychologists, fostering a culture where staff feel valued, supported and engaged.
• Working collaboratively with senior operational and clinical leads to promote compassionate, inclusive and psychologically informed care.

Clinical Sessions

• Working closely and collaboratively with the multidisciplinary teams
• Delivering specialist psychological and neuropsychological assessments, formulations and interventions for older adults with severe, chronic and/or complex mental health and dementia presentations living in the community.
• Providing consultation, advice and training to multidisciplinary colleagues on psychological aspects of care.

Service Development

• Working as part of the senior psychology leadership team to develop and shape the role of Older People's Psychology provision across East Surrey.
• Contributing to service developments and quality improvements.
• Supporting evidence-based practice, ensuring care is safe, effective and high quality.

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please review the Job Description for even further information about the job's main responsibility details.

• Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology qualification or equivalent
• Completion of an appropriate clinical supervision course
• Additional academic clinical qualification relevant to area of work
• Additional leadership/management study

• Extensive post qualification clinical experience in relevant clinical setting
• Experience of leading in clinical practice, service development or project work
• Experience of supervising trainees, assistant psychologists, qualified clinical/counselling…