Community Psychologist (Clinical / Counselling Psychologist)

NHS; Essex; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Essex is seeking a Community Psychologist to focus on community psychology principles and develop projects with grassroots organizations. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team to address health inequalities and promote trauma-informed care in underserved communities. Strong qualifications in psychology, along with a passion for community engagement, are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Experience working with SMI.
• Experience in a multidisciplinary team (MDT).
• Experience providing supervision.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Trauma Informed Care and Community Psychology Lead.
• Identify and build relationships with third sector organisations.
• Amplify the voices of those less served by statutory services.

Skills

Knowledge and application of psychological theory applying to people with SMI

Work with family and carers

Understanding of community psychology principles

Education

Undergrad Psychology degree

Doctorate - clinical / counselling

Job description

Community Psychologist (Clinical / Counselling Psychologist)

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

The closing date is 04 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an innovative psychologist who is passionate about community psychology to join the Havering Trauma Informed Care and Community Psychology Lead, based within the Havering Mental Health and Wellness Teams (MHWT). The post holder will sit within a MHWT but focus on outward facing work with communities in Havering, to develop projects with grassroots organisations using community psychology principles and frameworks. They will lead on championing community psychology as well as psychologically-minded work with their MDT colleagues through case consultation, MDT meeting attendance, and to promote and support trauma-informed care. The community work focus will be informed by local demographics highlighting over-represented and under-served communities and is part of the Trust's commitment to address health inequalities experienced by our communities. The successful candidate will also work closely with Havering MHWT psychology colleagues, who have a range of specialist interests, and are particularly skilled at working with complex presentations and the impact of trauma.

We are therefore inviting clinicians who are passionate about challenging oppressive systems, working with community resilience and creativity, and co-producing services with community members, to apply. People with lived experience and/or who represent marginalised communities within the Havering areas are particularly welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work closely with the Trauma Informed Care and Community Psychology Lead in Havering and the other NELFT boroughs, other community psychologists, Clinical Associate Psychologists, peer support workers and Havering leadership to identify and build relationships with third sector organisations. The post holder will work to amplify the voices of those who are less well served by mainstream, statutory services and feedback into mainstream services knowledge gained from engaging with lived and living experience, in Havering. The post holder will join a collaborative of Psychological professionals across North East and East London working within a community psychology framework. The purpose of the collaborative is to build connections across North East and East London and provide support to clinicians working in this way in an NHS context.

About us

Starting with NELFT

NELFT places a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High-Cost Area Supplement

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,313 and a maximum payment of £5,436 per annum pro rata).

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.

Person Specification

• Undergrad Psychology degree
• Doctorate - clinical / counselling

Experience

• Working with SMI
• Having worked in an MDT
• Having provided supervision

Skills and knowledge

• Knowledge and application of psychological theory applying to people with SMI
• Work with family and carers
• Of community psychology principles

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.

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum (plus HCAS)