Principal Clinical​/Counselling​/Forensic Psychologist

Principal Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist

Closing date: 29 June 2026

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Clinical, Counselling or Forensic psychologist to take up a newly created and pivotal role working across our Newsam inpatient ward and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) 30 hours per week.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead the development of new psychological pathways within inpatient services where no previous post holder has been in place. The post holder will play a central role in embedding a psychologically informed approach to care, enhancing outcomes for individuals with complex and acute mental health needs.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of a new psychological care pathway across an acute ward and a PICU.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, and clinical governance ensuring high standards of care.
• Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and interventions for service users presenting with complex, high‑risk and acute mental health difficulties within acute inpatient and PICU settings.
• Deliver a range of evidence‑based interventions tailored to the needs of an inpatient population.
• Contribute to risk assessment and management working closely with the multidisciplinary team, contributing to decision making in highly complex, high‑risk and uncertain clinical situations.
• Provide consultation, supervision and contribute to multidisciplinary care planning, providing a psychological perspective to inform treatment and discharge planning.
• Contribute to the training and development of staff, promoting psychologically informed approaches across the service.
• Uphold equality, diversity and inclusion principles in all aspects of work.

• Employee wellbeing support
• 27–33 days annual leave
• Flexible working and remote working arrangements
• NHS Pension Scheme
• Coaching, support and opportunities for career development and training and education support
• Exclusive discounts and payment schemes

• Doctoral level training in Clinical or Counselling Psychology (or equivalent prior to 1996) and HCPC registration OR Doctorate level training in Forensic Psychology with HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Formal training in the supervision of other psychological professionals.

• Additional post qualification training evidencing the ability to formulate and deliver interventions using at least 2 different therapeutic models. This can include specialist training in neurodivergence or neuro‑assessment.

• Significant post qualification experience in acute/urgent care clinical settings with people with high levels of acuity and risk, including complex assessment (including risk), formulation and interventions.

• Ability to offer psychological consultation to other professionals and non‑professionals evidencing clinical leadership.

• Tell us about a time when you spotted something small going wrong and did something to stop it becoming a bigger issue.
• Tell us about a time when you realised a colleague or someone you know needed a bit of support and you offered to help.
• Tell us about a time when you showed someone kindness or understanding.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Permanent

Part‑time, 30 hours per week

£66,582 to £77,368 a year, pro rata

173-25226-ACUTE

Acute Inpatient Services / Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)