Clinical Psychologist - North East Essex MHST

North East London NHS; Essex; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading healthcare provider in Essex as a psychological practitioner in the Mental Health Support Teams. You will deliver evidence-based services to children and adolescents, supervise staff, and work collaboratively with schools. The role emphasizes work-life balance and ongoing professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working

Health and wellbeing support

Commitment to equal opportunities

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualified psychological practitioner needed.
• Experience in CAMHS/CYPMHS is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological services to children and adolescents.
• Supervise staff and contribute to assessments.

Skills

Effective communication

Advocacy

Network working

Education

Post-graduate Clinical Psychology training

Registered or eligible with HCPC

Job description

Job type: Full time, Part time, Flexible working, Compressed hours, Term time hours

Employer details

• Employer: NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
• Site: North East Essex MHST (Covering Colchester, Harwich and Clacton)
• Town: Colchester
• Salary: £46,148 - £52,809 per annum pro rata for part-time
• Closing date: 11/04/2025 23:59

Employer heading

NHS AfC: Band 7

Join #TeamNELFT to become part of a supportive environment. We are CQC rated Good, working towards Outstanding. We provide community and mental healthcare services across North East London, Essex, Kent, and Medway.

We have award-winning initiatives in equality, diversity, staff health, and wellbeing. We invest in your development, value and support our staff, and are recognized as a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader. Our organization is committed to a just and compassionate culture.

Job overview

Our Mental Health Support Teams are part of a government initiative to transform Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services. NELFT is the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams in England, covering 144 schools in Southend, Essex, and Thurrock.

The teams deliver evidence-based interventions for children aged 5 to 18 experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, focusing on whole school approaches to improve outcomes.

The North East Essex MHST covers Colchester and Tendring, an area that is large and sometimes rural. The team is supportive, multidisciplinary, and values work-life balance. We encourage CPD and support staff growth.

Applicants need access to a vehicle for travel across the county.

Main duties

The role requires a postgraduate qualified psychological practitioner (e.g., clinical or counselling psychologist) registered with HCPC.

The post-holder will work as an effective team member, delivering high-quality, accessible, evidence-based services, supervising practitioners, and liaising with schools for needs assessments and whole-school approaches.

The role may include supervising postgraduate training and managing a clinical caseload, with opportunities for service development.

Working for NELFT

This includes a probation period, comprehensive induction, and ongoing professional development. Induction is held at our Rainham, Essex head office.

Detailed responsibilities

Provide psychological services to children and adolescents, supervise staff, contribute to assessments, and work in partnership with schools and families.

Engage in audit, research, and outcome monitoring. Formulate and oversee treatment plans, support empowerment, and operate from an inclusive values base.

Travel across the county for supervision, training, and clinical work, adhering to trust policies.

Clinical skills

Act as an autonomous practitioner, conducting assessments, providing interventions, and considering cultural and diversity issues.

Work with parents and schools, and utilize research to support evidence-based practice.

Leadership and administration

Promote team cohesion, participate in service development, and contribute to quality improvement and research.

Maintain accurate records, ensure confidentiality, and participate in planning and evaluation activities.

Communication

Effectively communicate with colleagues, patients, and external agencies, providing reports and participating in case reviews and team discussions.

Teaching and supervision

Contribute to training, supervise trainees, support new staff, and pursue ongoing professional development.

Person specification

Qualifications

Post-graduate Clinical Psychology training

Registered or eligible with HCPC

Desirable

Experience in CAMHS/CYPMHS

Experience

Autonomous assessment and treatment planning

Safeguarding and risk management

Desirable

Experience with co-morbid difficulties and special needs

Knowledge

NHS priorities, NICE guidelines, and relevant policies

Skills

Effective communication, advocacy, and network working skills

Benefits

We support diversity, flexible working, health and wellbeing, and are committed to equal opportunities. We recognize the contribution of the Armed Forces community and are a Disability Confident employer.

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