Band 8b Principal Practitioner Psychologist

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional mental health service provider in Solihull is seeking a Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to lead the Eating Disorder Service. The role involves overseeing psychological services, delivering high-quality care, mentoring staff, and ensuring compliance with standards. The ideal candidate will have experience in assessments and interventions and a commitment to improving mental health for children and young people.

Qualifications

• Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Equivalent Applied Psychological Practitioner experience.
• Experience in conducting specialist assessments and evidence-based interventions.
• Capability to provide training, consultation, and supervision.

Responsibilities

• Conduct specialist assessments of complex presentations and provide evidence-based interventions.
• Provide training and supervision to staff and volunteers.
• Lead service development ensuring alignment with NICE standards.

Job description

Overview

A vacancy at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Are you looking for a senior role supporting children and young people with eating disorders? We are seeking a Highly Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist, or Equivalent Applied Psychological Practitioner, to provide clinical leadership in The Eating Disorder Service (TEDS), part of Solar, Solihull’s emotional wellbeing and mental health services for 0–19 year olds.

Solar is a partnership between Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Barnardo’s and Autism West Midlands. Based at Freshfields Clinic, you will work with the team manager to oversee the development, provision, evaluation and governance of psychological services in TEDS. The role involves delivering effective, evidence-based care that is high quality, cost-effective and culturally responsive, aligned with Trust priorities, commissioner requirements and the needs of young people and families.

You will provide line management for clinical psychologists, trainees, assistants and psychological practitioners, and support delivery of a NICE-concordant service. This includes highly specialist assessments, individual therapy and group work, alongside supervision, consultation, service development, research and training.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder may be required to undertake duties across the areas below, with priority set by service needs.

Responsibilities

• Clinical
  

  Conducts specialist assessments of complex presentations using psychometrics, interviews and observations; integrates data into formulations. Provides evidence-based interventions for individuals, families and groups. Maintains caseload with responsibility for assessment, treatment, discharge and risk. Supports families with systemic/behavioural approaches. Undertakes specialist risk assessments and contributes to MDT reviews and CPA. Promotes psychologically informed practice.



• Teaching, Training, Supervision
  

  Provides training, consultation and supervision to staff, trainees and volunteers. Contributes to shared formulations and professional training.



• Policy, Service Development, Leadership
  

  Leads service development and governance, ensuring NICE-aligned practice. Provides line management and supervision of psychology staff, with input into recruitment and resource oversight.



• Research and Evaluation
  

  Undertakes audit, evaluation and research to inform best practice and quality systems.



• Professional Practice
  

  Works within BPS, HCPC and Trust standards, maintains CPD, supervision, records and reports.



• Other
  

  Keeps up to date with policy.

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.

This advert closes on Sunday 19 Oct 2025