Clinical Psychologist or Systemic Family Therapist

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust; Lowestoft; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Systemic Family Therapist or Clinical Psychologist to join the Dragonfly Unit in Lowestoft. This fixed-term, 0.4 FTE post involves providing psychological assessment and family-focused treatment within an inpatient adolescent setting.

Successful applicants will join a multidisciplinary team, with opportunities for leadership, training in systemic family therapy, and development of treatment pathways.

Qualifications

• Eligibility for UKCP registration
• MSc in Systemic Family Therapy
• Experience of work inpatient adolescent unit
• Experience of working with clinical teams around young people
• Experience of developing and supporting a clinical model/approach across a service

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment and treatment for patients and their families and carers
• Provide formulation, chair and lead meetings
• Provide managerial support as a senior member of the team
• Contribute to reflective practices within the MDT
• Support service development and integration of pathways for young people

Skills

Systemic theory

Clinical psychology

Inpatient adolescent experience

Reflective practice

Staff management

Education

MSc in Systemic Family Therapy

Eligibility for UKCP registration

Experience with inpatient adolescent unit

Job description

Clinical Psychologist or Systemic Family Therapist

Band 7/8a

Main area Clinical and Counselling Psychology or Systemic Family Therapy Grade Band 7/8a Contract 6 months (6 months FixedTerm/Secondment) Hours

• Part time
• Job share

15 hours per week Job ref 246-GYW8273566

Site Dragonfly Unit, Carlton Court Town Lowestoft Salary £49,387 - £64,750 gross per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 28/09/2026 23:59

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing, older people's and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and want to reflect the diversity of our local communities within our teams. We welcome applications from all talented individuals with the relevant qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience.

Please note due to the nature of our roles and patient demographic, you will be required to undertake physical intervention training and remain trained, as required by your role.

Job overview

We are looking for a Systemic Family Therapist or Clinical Psychologist.

This is a fixed-term post funded at 15 hours per week (0.4 FTE). We welcome applications from newly qualified psychologists who would be employed at Band 7.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will form an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team in a senior management role within the unit.

Successful applicants will provide psychological assessment and treatment for patients and their families and carers. They will also provide formulation, chair and lead meetings, conduct and contribute to our reflective practices and provide managerial support as a senior member of the team.

Dragonfly Unit is developing services and innovation. There is a clinical model, established treatment pathways and reflective practice systems in place to support the practice and effectiveness of the service and the experience of the young people. There is good leadership support within and outside of the unit under a new locality structure which puts good service, governance and accountability into practice. Our ambition is to continue to develop excellence and integrated services which support the recovery of young people and families as safe and as effectively as possible.

Job planning will be completed with the successful candidate to ensure that they are able to work safely and competently in accordance with professional guidelines.

Working for our organisation

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us?We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk?The people here are warm and welcoming, you’ll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We’re an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Systemic approaches are central to working with young people and their families, none more so than within inpatient treatment settings where there are multiple systems involved. The Dragonfly Unit is a CQC rated Good service and provides assessment and treatment to adolescents presenting with severe mental health disorder and risks. The post holder would join a full MDT and work with a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who leads the Therapies pathway. To support our Treatment Pathways using evidence based treatment, there would be an expectation that if you are qualified in clinical or counselling psychology there would be an expectation of attending training in Systemic Family Therapy and if a Systemic Family Therapist, an expectation to train in another therapeutic model such as CBT-E. Please note that those exiting training programmes will be offered the position at Band 7.

Please note that applicants should follow the job description relevant to their core professional role.

Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities,

Interview dates are to be confirmed and candidates may only be given a minimum of 3 days’ notice; you will be contacted via email and invited to book a time. These emails may go to your SPAM, so please keep checking all your emails if applying.

Please visit our Facebook and Twitter page @NSFTjobs

Person specification

Qualifications

• Eligibility for UKCP registration Other related academic qualifications
• MSc in Systemic Family Therapy
• Eligibility for UKCP registration
• Experience of work inpatient adolescent unit
• Experience of working with clinical teams around young people
• Experience of developing and supporting a clinical model/approach across a service

Experience

• Evidence of continuing professional development as required by UKCP/AFT guidelines

Skills & Knowledge

• Skills in applying systemic theory to work with individuals, couples, family systems, groups and organisations
• Working with people with acute and enduring mental health problems and Learning Disabilities.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management in relation to mental health and the full range of client groups

Please be aware that, due to the high number of applications for certain roles, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

YOUR APPLICATION

We can provide all our job application materials in alternative formats so that these are accessible to everyone. Should you require any documents within this job pack in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact us at [e-mail].

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Apart from its legal duties in relation to equality and diversity, the Trust recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

As a part of the Disability Confident Employer Guaranteed Interview Scheme we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job vacancy (outlined in the Person Specification).. We encourage you to indicate your eligibility through TRAC jobs when applying.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post may be 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 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.

Name Dr Ben Gurney-Smith Job title Consultant Clinical Psychologist Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01502527400 Additional information

If you have any questions or wish to discuss the advertised post in more detail, or visit, please contact Dr Ben Gurney-Smith (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) on [e-mail] / 01502527400.