Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Team Lead

NHS; Brecon, Bronllys, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Powys Teaching Health Board is seeking a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Team Lead (Band 7) to develop and deliver a specialist DBT service for working age adults with complex emotional needs. You will lead a small multidisciplinary team, oversee DBT groups, and provide clinical governance across community and hospital settings.

The post offers development opportunities such as advanced DBT training and accreditation support, with scope for blended home working and travel between bases in Newtown,

Qualifications

• Master’s level qualification in a clinical field with registration or equivalent experience.
• Post-qualification DBT practice with supervision and ongoing training.
• Experience in complex trauma and emotion regulation in adults.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage DBT groups across community and acute settings.
• Provide clinical leadership to DBT practitioners and teams.
• Develop and implement DBT pathways within adult mental health services.
• Oversee assessments, consultations and staff upskilling.
• Support in-reach to acute wards and cross-area outreach.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical supervision

Risk assessment

DBT delivery

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Job description

Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Team Lead

Band 7

Main area Adult Mental Health Grade Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) Job ref 070-NMR103-1026

Employer Powys Teaching Health Board Employer type NHS Site TBC Town Brecon / Bronllys / Llandrindod Wells / Newtown Salary £50,129 - £57,365 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

Be part of a 'Healthy Caring Powys' and help us transform the way we provide health and care, so our communities can Start Well, Live Well and Age Well.

Job overview

Powys Adult Secondary Care Mental Health Services are developing an exciting new Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT) service and are seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to grow and implement this new treatment service.

This post will be responsible for leading a small multi-disciplinary team of DBT clinicians to effectively deliver DBT across working age adult mental health services. They will have operational oversight of the DBT groups and clients. The clients will have severe and complex trauma, interpersonal difficulties, low distress tolerance and emotional dysregulation issues.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of a new specialist treatment pathway which has the power to bring hope and enduring change to clients. The post comes with a range of excellent development opportunities such as training in advanced DBT and other therapies, and support to become accredited. The post holder will lead and manage DBT groups across community settings, be a clinical lead to DBT practitioners and their clients, as well as setting-up mechanisms for DBT in-reach to acute wards and outreach to out-of-County placements. The post holder will manage a small caseload of highly complex clients, and conduct assessments, consultations and up-skilling opportunities to mental health teams.

The DBT service is a treatment pathway of the Complex Emotional Needs Service, which sits within the broader Psychology Department and has full access to the resources and support of the wider psychology service.

Applications would be welcomed from experienced, qualified and accredited DBT practitioners, or from newly trained practitioners willing to be supported to gain full DBT accreditation. All specialist training and supervision will be available and supported.

This is a Pan-Powys post, with opportunities for some blended home working. The physical base will be negotiated on appointment (Newtown, Brecon, Bronllys or Llandrindod Wells) with some expectations of travel between bases during working hours. A request for part-time hours can be considered.

Working for our organisation

Being the smallest Heath Board in Wales means that you won’t get lost in the crowd. Everybody at Powys Teaching Health Board is valued for the contribution they make to our varied and diverse portfolio of community-based services. Together, we can continue to make a real difference to our patients and build on our unrivalled reputation.

As a supportive and progressive employer, we actively encourage you to carve out a career with us, through a range of development pathways. We’re also lucky enough to be situated in one of the most beautiful rural counties in Britain, let alone Wales! Achieving a healthy ’life work’ balance is essential, and something we recognise by prioritising your well-being.

To start your journey with us, and to learn more about what we can offer you please visit: https://pthb.nhs.wales/working-for-us/ . There you will find information about our benefits and values, read staff experiences and more about what our beautiful county has to offer.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers; but even if you don’t speak any Welsh, or want to develop your skills, don’t worry: the health board will support you with training.

Person specification - key highlights:

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Educated to Master’s level or equivalent post graduate degree level qualification and/or demonstrable equivalent experience in clinical practice
• Professional qualification obtained in Health or Social Care that led to professional registration held with NMC (Mental Health Nurse), HCPC (Occupational Therapist or Practitioner Psychologist), or Social Care Wales (Social Worker)
• Post registration foundation / intensive training in DBT with evidenced DBT practice and supervision
• Additional specialist training and expertise in DBT such as DBT master class. Where this in not in place currently, then a commitment to pursue this training/qualification in the first year of post.
• In addition, training/knowledge in at least one other psychological or psycho-social intervention
• Highly developed specialist knowledge and expertise of working therapeutically with people with very serious mental health issues and suicidal behaviour, including appropriate use of risk assessments, acquired through a combination of in-depth experience and advanced training skills developed through specialist post registration training
• Highly specialist knowledge of complex emotional needs clinical area and client group
• Demonstrates very good level of knowledge and understanding of the importance of evidence based psychological therapies and applicability for people with severe mental health difficulties and complex trauma
• Demonstrates very good theoretical knowledge of collaborative and person-centred psychological formulation
• Good record of Continuing Professional Development

Experience

• Experience of utilising leadership and management skills
• Experience of supervising staff clinically and/or managerially
• Experience of managing and overseeing concerns and complaints, investigations and service performance issues.
• Significant post qualification experience working as a qualified/registered/accredited mental health practitioner
• Significant experience of working in secondary mental health services with people experiencing complex emotional needs
• Significant experience of delivering DBT as part of a comprehensive DBT service
• Relevant previous experience of working in a multi professional/agency setting
• Experience of teaching and liaising with other professional groups
• Experience of risk assessment and risk management
• Experience of service development and improvement and change management

Skills & Attributes

• Able to demonstrate leadership skills and ability to manage a team
• Must be able to delegate work appropriately
• Highly developed clinical and communication skills
• Ability to be effective in a highly skilled specialist multi-disciplinary team
• Must be able make autonomous decisions, to work autonomously and take responsibility for own practice and time keeping
• Highly specialist knowledge of complex emotional needs clinical area and client group required to perform effectively in the post
• Ability to draw information from a variety of sources and make decisions relating to risk and complex factors; evaluating options and developing and organizing treatment programs for clients
• Ability to skilfully communicate and engage difficult to treat clients, constructively overcoming resistance and fears to treatment
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships

Person specification

Qualification and Knowledge

• Educated to master’s level or equivalent post graduate degree level qualification and/or demonstrable equivalent experience in clinical practice
• Professional qualification obtained in Health or Social Care that led to professional registration held with NMC (Mental Health Nurse), HCPC (Occupational Therapist or Practitioner Psychologist), or Social Care Wales (Social Worker)
• DBT knowledge and experience
• Experience and knowledge of another therapeutic model
• Experience and knowledge of working with CEN and complex trauma clients with severe mental health difficulties
• A DBT qualification, training beyond entry-level or specific advanced accreditation in DBT

Experience

• leadership and/or operational management experience
• Extensive experience of working as a qualified mental health professional
• Experience of line managing staff and/or recruitment

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent communication and inter-personal effectiveness skills
• Ability to work clinically autonomously including managing complex cases and risk

As a Health Board we embrace diversity and inclusion. We offer a supportive and welcoming place to work which is free from discrimination and fair in all our working practices.

We’ll value your contribution whether you’re looking for your first job, an apprenticeship, re-entering the workforce or looking for a career change. Powys Teaching Health Board warmly welcomes all.

You can complete your application in Welsh or English, it’s entirely your choice. Once you’ve applied, we will keep you updated on the progress of your application, so be sure to check your emails regularly.

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.