Band 8a Practitioner Psychologist

Transformation Unit; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS benefits and terms

Relocation assistance

Retail discounts

Well-being services

Flexible working

Job summary

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 8a Practitioner Psychologist to join the Neurodevelopmental Pathway (Autism Assessment Service) in Birmingham. You will supervise assessments, contribute to policy and service development, and work within a multidisciplinary team across care settings.

The post holder will lead specialist assessments, drive research and audit activities, and support education liaison while promoting high standards of patient care and staff

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Doctoral training in Clinical/Counselling/Forensic psychology.
• HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist with a protected title.
• Post-doctoral qualification in additional specialised psychological areas.
• Experience supervising doctoral trainees and staff.
• Research methodology and audit experience in psychology.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist psychological assessment of children using diverse data sources.
• Formulate and implement treatment plans for child psychology across settings.
• Deliver interventions for children, carers and families within and across teams.
• Utilise SEND processes and education agenda knowledge in practice.

Skills

Psychological assessment

Neurodevelopmental psychology

Interprofessional collaboration

Communication skills

Research methodology

Leadership/teaching supervision

Education

Postgraduate Doctoral training in Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychology

HCPC Practitioner Psychologist registration

Post-doctoral qualification in a specialised area of psychology

Training in supervision of doctoral trainees

Training in research methodology and audit

Job description

Employer Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site citywide Town BIRMINGHAM Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum (pro rata) Salary period Yearly Closing 30/09/2026 23:59

Band 8a Practitioner Psychologist

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Practitioner Psychologist to join our Neurodevelopmental Pathway (Autism Assessment Service) specialist psychology service. The role will involve assessing children presenting with neurodevelopmental needs across all sectors of care within the Birmingham catchment area.

The post holder will be part of the multidisciplinary team in the Neurodevelopmental Hubs and liaise closely with colleagues in education.

They will also supervise and support the psychological assessments and therapy provided by other psychologists and others who provide psychologically based care and treatment.

They will support a culture of research and utilise research skills for audit, policy and service developments and propose and implement policy changes within the Service and the broader multidisciplinary team. They will also be highly visible and, accessible and a figure to whom staff, patients and their families, can turn to for assistance, advice and support.

Main duties of the job

1. To provide specialist psychological assessment of children based upon the
appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex psychological data
from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological
assessment, self-reported measures, rating scales, direct and indirect
structured observations and semi-structured interviews with children, family
members and others involved in the child’s care.
2. To formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or
management of a child’s psychological problems. This is to be based upon an
appropriate conceptual framework of the client’s problems, and employing
methods of proven efficiency, across the full range of care settings.
3. To be responsible for implementing a range of psychological interventions for
children, carers, families and groups within and across teams. This would
involve adjusting and refining psychological formulations and drawing upon
different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional
hypotheses.
4. To use highly developed specialist knowledge of a range of work procedures
and practices including that of SEND processes and education agenda.

See attached Job Description for details of main duties.

Working for our organisation

Be Part of Our Team…

Birmingham is a vibrant, rich, ethnically diverse city, with a large population of young people. Join Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) where more than 5000 members of staff work across Birmingham and the West Midlands to deliver a wide range of community and specialist healthcare services. BCHC delivers over a hundred clinical services, in people's homes, health centres, clinics and inpatient facilities. This includes services for children, young people, parents and families as well as adults and community services, two community hospitals, services for people with learning disabilities, the internationally recognised West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre and one of Europe’s leading Dental Hospitals and School of Dentistry. We deliver all of this with a commitment to integrated, personalised care that is rooted in our local communities. We have an ambition to deliver outstanding, integrated care as one of the key NHS providers in the West Midlands.

Our range of healthcare service provision within the C&F Division also offers opportunities to develop clinical leadership skills and be involved with clinical projects and pathway development. The Psychology Service offers support and close links with other psychologists through facilitated reflective practice groups, CPD events and team meetings. There are good links with the local DClinPsy training courses and the MSCi pathway at Birmingham and Coventry Universities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To provide specialist psychological assessment of children based upon the
appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex psychological data
from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological
assessment, self-reported measures, rating scales, direct and indirect
structured observations and semi-structured interviews with children, family
members and others involved in the child’s care.
2. To formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or
management of a child’s psychological problems. This is to be based upon an
appropriate conceptual framework of the client’s problems, and employing
methods of proven efficiency, across the full range of care settings.
3. To be responsible for implementing a range of psychological interventions for
children, carers, families and groups within and across teams. This would
involve adjusting and refining psychological formulations and drawing upon
different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional
hypotheses.
4. To use highly developed specialist knowledge of a range of work procedures
and practices including that of SEND processes and education agenda.

See attached Job description and person specification attached.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Post graduate Doctoral level training in Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
• HCPC Registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Post-doctoral qualification, training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice
• Training in the supervision of doctoral level trainee psychologists
• Training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology

Skills

• Highly specialist skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, including psychometrics such as ADOS-2 and, or, ADI-R, intervention and management including specialist clinical interviewing, behavioural observation, complex psychometric testing and specialist neuropsychological testing
• Knowledge of the presentation, assessment of and intervention with people with complex neurodevelopmental and mental health difficulties
• Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to children, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
• Skills and experience in providing consultation to other professional and non professional groups, across agencies
• Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology
• Knowledge of typical and atypical child development including neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD/ASD
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. dual diagnoses, children with additional learning disabilities or difficulties etc)
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to children

Experience

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and individual and group-based treatment of children, including children with neurodevelopmental differences
• Experience of maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
• Experience of liaison work with other professionals and agencies
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity
• Experience of teaching, training and supervision
• Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts
• Relevant R&D or clinical audit work post-qualification

Personal Qualities

• Self-motivated
• Positive, energetic, enthusiastic in outlook and able to set a good example
• Ability to manage under pressure; work to tight deadlines, evidencing excellent time management
• Able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Evidence of strong leadership skills, the ability to negotiate, persuade and influence at a senior level with a supportive style whilst also able to take difficult decisions and act assertively
• Keen to develop services in line with service, educational and research priorities with the service

In accordance with UK Home Office requirements, Band 2 clinical and non-clinical roles and Band 3 Non-Clinical roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

Please note that the majority of non-clinical roles (Agenda for Change Band 3 - 6) with the exception of those which appear on this list - link , will not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK.

All non-clinical roles (Agenda for Change Bands 7 - 9) that meet the prescribed skill level (RQF 6) and salary threshold will be eligible for sponsorship.

The Trust will accept applications from candidates who can evidence their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes.

Disability Confident Employer and Guaranteed Interview Scheme

BCHC offers a guaranteed interview to any candidate who is Disabled, Neurodiverse, has a hidden or long term health condition as recognised under the Equality Act 2010, providing they meet the essential criteria of the job role, as set out in the person specification. We encourage applicants to submit their applications and to request any reasonable adjustments where required.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As part of our ongoing commitment to being a Great Place to Work, we actively foster and support a workplace culture that is inclusive and equitable for all staff, patients and service users.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with diverse abilities, experiences, and perspectives.

We are also dedicated to supporting the career progression of colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds into this role and more senior roles within the Division and the wider organisation.

Promoting Workforce Equality

In response to data held by BCHC which demonstrates that individuals from particular protected characteristics are under-represented, BCHC are striving to redress these imbalances. In order to do this, the Trust is committed to the employment and career development of individuals with these protected characteristics. As part of this commitment and given this under-representation, the Trust guarantees an interview to any applicants from under-represented groups for positions at Band 8a and above whose application meets the essential criteria for the post as detailed on the Person Specification.

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people who identify as Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on the basis of merit. In order to ensure the diversity of our workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.

DBS Costs

Please be aware that all new employees starting work with the Trust will be charged for the cost of their DBS check if it is required for the role. The cost will be deducted from your salary in 3 payments over a 3-month period once you start employment. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to these deductions being made. The charges for the DBS include the administration fee. The total costs are £26.40 for a standard check and £54.40 for an enhanced check. The level of check will be determined by the post you are applying for. For bank Workers the full cost of the DBS check (as detailed above) will be deducted from your pay following completion of your online mandatory training. No payment will be made for your online training until it is all complete and verified by the Temporary Staffing Team. Please note: You will not be able to work any bank shifts until you have completed your mandatory training, and your DBS is in place.

Flexible Working

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) supports a variety of flexible working practices and, where possible (given our range of services and community settings) dependent upon the requirements associated with the role, will actively consider requests made and support these where practically possible. This may include hybrid patterns of working to enable colleagues to request the flexibility of a mixture of home/base working.

In accordance with the NHS People Promise, the Trust is committed to facilitating a healthy work/life balance that is essential to health and wellbeing and to making BCHC a ‘Great Place to Work’. We will be happy to discuss and consider all requests relating to working patterns and hours at your interview so please do ask!

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust acknowledges Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini etc; are powerful tools that can help you in various stages of your job application and how they can be used in certain circumstances during your application process with BCHC. You can read more about acceptable use on our internet pages here

Benefits of working for us:

• Full NHS terms and conditions including extensive holidays, Agenda for Change pay with enhancements
• Attractive relocation payment if you relocate to the local area.
• Discounts for local and national retailers
• Dedicated well-being services for all employees
• Flexible working where possible

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.