Clinical Psychologist Arfid Pathway Lead

Nelft Nhs Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) 15%

Job summary

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Psychologist to lead the newly commissioned ARFID pathway within the CYP Community Eating Disorder Service. The role requires extensive experience in eating disorders, clinical leadership, and strong collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to develop and implement evidence-based care for children and young people.

You will establish the ARFID service, shape clinical pathways, and work closely with senior colleagues to ensure services meet high

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology required.
• Experience in eating disorders essential.
• Postgraduate qualification in psychological therapy and HCPC registration desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the ARFID treatment pathway.
• Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention.
• Work with multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality care.
• Develop robust triage and assessment processes.
• Ensure interventions reflect the latest evidence base.
• Build links with core CYP CEDS service.
• Lead and develop the ARFID team and uphold high clinical standards.

Skills

Eating disorders expertise

Clinical leadership

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication with families

Education

Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology

Job description

Job summary

To be able to communicate complex service user related information facilitating positive outcomes and ensuring collaborative working. To occasionally convey information, particularly in highly complex, contentious and emotive situations require well developed communication skills. To demonstrate flexibility in communication and interpersonal skills to overcome barriers to communication. To communicate opinion which may be contradictory to that of the referrer. To liaise with and provide feedback to referrers to the service by letter and/or verbal communication, ensuring that assessment, diagnostic results and treatment plans are understood by the referrer in order that the treatment aims are understood and supported by the wider health care network.

Main duties of the job

To maintain confidentiality consistent with Trust policy. To have knowledge and understanding of a variety of cultural backgrounds and beliefs in order to respect individuals rights and dignity and to use communication skills to address language and cultural diversity issues. Participate in the review and development of clinical policies and identifies improvements to service provision. To undertake monitoring and evaluation of work and current practice through the use of evidence-based practice projects, audit and outcome measures either as an individual or a as a group. To make recommendations and implement change where required. To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management appropriate to the work situation. To participate in the strategic and operational planning, implementation of policy and service development within the service. To work collaboratively to continually improve clinical practice. This may influence service delivery, clinical protocols, business planning and strategic reviews. To monitor efficacy of a variety of specialist patient services using clinical audit and to implement change, in discussion with relevant clinical lead, in accordance with evidence based practice. To ensure thorough and robust processes and communication channels with catering and food providers to ensure that the quality and nutritional number of foods is suitable for young people within the unit.

About us

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex. We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.

Details

Date posted: 26 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: OHC-3LCY-002413
Closing date: 09 November 2026

Job responsibilities

Psychologist and ARFID Pathway Lead, NELFT CYP Community Eating Disorder Service
An exciting opportunity to shape and lead a brand-new ARFID service from the ground up.
Are you an experienced Psychologist with a passion for eating disorders and improving outcomes for children and young people?
Would you relish the opportunity to lead the development of a newly commissioned ARFID pathway, while working alongside an established, specialist and supportive CYP Community Eating Disorder Service?
If so, we would love to hear from you.
This is an exciting time to join NELFT CYP CEDS. We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Psychologist to take a lead role in establishing our new Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) service, working closely with senior colleagues and the core CYP CEDS team.
You will have a genuine opportunity to shape how this service develops, ensuring that children, young people and their families receive high-quality, evidence-based and compassionate care.

About the NELFT Community Eating Disorder Service

The North East London NHS Foundation Trust Community Eating Disorder Service provides the latest evidence-based, NICE-compliant psychological interventions to clients and their families living with an eating disorder.
One of the strengths of our service is our ability to provide specialist assessment and treatment across the lifespan, from age 8 with no upper age limit.
Our multidisciplinary approach is central to the way we work. We bring together different professional perspectives to provide holistic assessment, formulation and treatment, supporting both our service users and their families.
As Psychologist and ARFID Pathway Lead, you will be instrumental in establishing and developing this exciting new service, supported by experienced senior colleagues within the core CYP CEDS team.

Your Opportunity

This is more than an opportunity to join an existing pathway. You will help build it.

• Lead the development of the new ARFID treatment pathway
• Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention
• Work closely with the multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality care
• Develop robust triage and assessment processes
• Ensure interventions reflect the latest evidence base
• Build strong links with the core CYP CEDS service
• Bring innovation and specialist knowledge to the development of the pathway
• Ensure the service responds effectively to the needs of children, young people and their caregivers
• Support the development of the ARFID team and contribute to a positive clinical culture
• Set and maintain high standards of clinical practice

About You

We are looking for an experienced Psychologist who is passionate about providing excellent treatment to children and young people with ARFID.
You will have a strong interest in eating disorders and the specialist knowledge and skills required to work confidently with this client group.
Previous experience in eating disorders is essential.
You will be someone who:

• Has strong clinical expertise in eating disorders
• Is confident working within a multidisciplinary environment
• Can provide strong clinical leadership
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for CYP with ARFID
• Enjoys developing and improving services
• Can work creatively and innovatively
• Sets high clinical standards while supporting colleagues
• Values collaborative working with children, young people and their families

A Broad and Rewarding Clinical Role

Working within an eating disorder service provides the opportunity to develop your expertise across a wide range of complex and co-occurring presentations.
You will have the opportunity to work with presentations including: Autism | Depression | Anxiety | Personality Disorders | Eating Disorders
We provide supervision and training to support your continued professional development and help you build on your existing specialist skills.
The post holder will operate within recognised professional guidelines and the overall framework of NELFT eating disorder service policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria

• Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology
• Advanced knowledge and skills in eating disorders
• Experience of working within CYP CEDS
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for service users' psychological care and treatment within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan
• Experience of assessing and treating service users across the full range of care settings
• Leadership experience

Starting with NELFT

We want you to feel welcomed, supported and prepared from day one.
All new starters join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks.
Your induction includes:

• Mandatory training
• Systems training
• Allocation of equipment
• Opportunities to meet the executive team and senior managers
• Drop-in sessions focused on engagement, health and wellbeing
• Key processes and support available across the Trust

The induction takes place at our head office in Goodmayes, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period, unless they are currently part way through a probationary period or are currently a bank member of staff.

High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London

Barking & Dagenham | Redbridge | Havering | Waltham Forest
This post attracts a 15% High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) on the basic salary, with a minimum of £4,870 and a maximum of £6,137 per annum, pro rata for part-time staff.

Why NELFT?

Joining #TeamNELFT means becoming part of a welcoming, supportive and compassionate working environment.
We are CQC rated Good and are committed to continuing our journey towards an Outstanding rating.
NELFT provides community and mental healthcare services to adults and children across North East London and Essex.
We are proud of our commitment to our people and our culture. We have:

• Award-winning equality and diversity initiatives
• Staff health and wellbeing activities
• Significant investment in staff development
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status
• Recognition in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years
• Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation
• Staff networks and training opportunities supporting an inclusive workplace

We believe that when our staff feel valued, supported and empowered, they can provide the highest quality care to our patients.

Ready to Make a Difference?

This is a unique opportunity to shape a brand-new ARFID service, provide specialist clinical leadership and make a meaningful difference to children, young people and their families.
If you are an experienced Psychologist with eating disorder expertise and the ambition to lead, innovate and develop a service, we would love to hear from you.
Come and help us build something new. Join NELFT and help shape the future ARFID care.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Current HCPC registration; Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Desirable: N/A

Experience

• Essential: Post-graduate qualification in psychological therapy accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) or equivalent; Professional registration with the appropriate body i.e. HCPC.
• Desirable: N/A

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

• Employer name: NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
• Address: Orchard Health Centre, Barking, Greater London, IG11 7RS, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/
• For questions about the job, contact: CAMHS Clinical Lead, Kirsty Shepherd, [e-mail]
• Privacy notice: NELFT North East London Foundation Trust's privacy notice.