Clinical Psychologist - Neurodiversity Pathway

Royal Free London Nhs Foundation Trust; Chipping Barnet; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 8a Clinical Psychologist for the new Autism and Social Communication Assessment pathway based at Edgware Hospital in Barnet. The role requires ADOS-2 proficiency and extensive MDT neurodevelopmental assessment experience in children aged 0-6.

The post includes supervision of two Band 5 Assistant Psychologists, involvement in service development, and collaboration across agencies to support families.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) and HCPC registration required.
• Proven ADOS-2 training and experience in autism assessment.
• Experience conducting MDT neurodevelopmental assessments with paediatric teams.

Responsibilities

• Assess children aged 0-6 for autism using ADOS-2 or other tools.
• Interview parents/carers and liaise with schools; formulate outcomes with the MDT.
• Provide feedback to families and write high-quality clinical reports.
• Provide clinical supervision to Band 5 Assistant Psychologists.
• Contribute to service improvement, audits and research.
• Triaging referrals and oversight of safeguarding or risk cases.

Skills

ADOS-2 trained

MDT experience

HCPC registered

Education

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)

Job description

Job summary

We are excited to offer this full-time position of Band 8a Clinical Psychologist in our new Autism and Social Communication Assessment pathway. This post is based at Edgware Hospital in Barnet.

We are looking for an experienced Clinical Psychologist with considerable prior experience in autism assessment and diagnosis in children 0-6. Candidates will be ADOS-2 trained and have significant experience in multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental assessment clinics, working with paediatricians, SLTs, OTs, psychologists and other clinicians.

This is a new multidisciplinary team which is designed to provide a needs-led, family-centred approach to assessment and diagnosis for children aged 0-6 with neurodivergent needs in Barnet.

We have a strong commitment to supervision, CPD and joint working with a range of other agencies and professionals.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will assess children aged 0-6 for possible autism using the ADOS-2 and/or other appropriate assessment tools, interview parents/carers, liaise with schools, and formulate with other members of the MDT to consider the correct outcome for the child. You will give families feedback about the outcome of assessments, discuss post-diagnostic support, and write high-quality clinical reports.

The post-holder will also provide clinical supervision to two band 5 Assistant Psychologists in the service. You will contribute to service improvement, audit and research. You will also be involved in triaging incoming referrals and helping oversee cases with safeguarding or risk elements.

The position requires you to work flexibly within an interdisciplinary framework, engaging with various professionals in a multidisciplinary and multi-agency environment. This includes collaboration with community providers, speech and language therapists (SLTs), occupational therapists (OTs), other psychologists, paediatricians, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals, as well as Experts by Experience (parents/families of neurodivergent children). The aim is to provide a holistic approach in communicating and sharing advice, information and plans to all relevant parties and family.

About us

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6 million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17 million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivaled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.

For more information please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Key Responsibilities

• Assess children aged 0-6 for possible autism using ADOS-2 and/or other appropriate assessment tools
• Interview parents/carers, liaise with schools, and formulate outcomes with the MDT
• Give families feedback on assessment outcomes, discuss post-diagnostic support, and write high-quality clinical reports
• Provide clinical supervision and line management to two band 5 Assistant Psychologists
• Lead psychology provision within the service and foster a culture of reflective practice
• Triage and screen incoming referrals, schedule clinics, and manage risk and safeguarding issues
• Contribute to planning, delivery, evaluation, audit, service improvement and research

Essential Qualifications, Training and Registration

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
• HCPC Accreditation
• ADOS-2 Trained

Essential Experience and Abilities

• Experience assessing children for autism
• Experience working within an MDT
• Experience providing clinical supervision to Assistant Psychologists
• Experience managing risk and safeguarding issues
• Experience having diagnostic conversations with parents/carers
• Experience using the ADOS-2 with children
• Experience conducting service evaluation and/or auditA minimum of 2 years working as a Clinical Psychologist

Desirable Experience and Abilities

• Experience of supporting in the operational management of therapy or diagnostic teams
• Experience using the ADI-R or 3Di
• Ability to speak a second language

Essential Skills and Aptitudes

• Able to organise, plan and prioritise own workload and generate strategies for caseload management
• Ability to show sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of clients and their carers, in particular when imparting potentially distressing information
• Demonstrates empathy with clients, carers and families where barriers to understanding exist, ensuring effective communication is achieved
• Proven ability to work as part of a team

Details

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8a

Salary: £63,665 to £70,887 a year Per Annum Including HCAS

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Closing date: 30 October 2026

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Apply through our website for further information.

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer.