Early Intervention in Psychosis Lead Psychologist | East London NHS Foundation Trust

East London NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a highly motivated Band 8b Registered Clinical Psychologist to lead the psychology services across the EQUIP and Heads Up Teams. This role focuses on providing and coordinating psychological interventions for individuals experiencing early psychosis. The candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective governance and leadership of psychological professionals. A Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and significant experience in psychosis are essential. Commitment to improving service user outcomes is paramount.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in clinical psychology, specifically in psychosis and early intervention.
• Ability to supervise and manage psychological staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical supervision for psychologists.
• Ensure appropriate staffing and job plans.
• Lead recruitment processes for psychological professionals.
• Develop psychology provision according to national guidelines.

Skills

Strong interest in psychosis

Collaborative leadership

Clinical assessment skills

Evidence-based interventions

Management skills

Education

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated Band 8b registered clinical psychologist to work across the City and Hackney EQUIP and Heads Up Teams. EQUIP provides an assertive and responsive service to adults aged 18 – 65 for up to 3 years during their recovery from a first episode of psychosis. The service covers the City of London and London Borough of Hackney. Emphasis is placed on maximising wellbeing and on social, psychological, physical and educational/vocational recovery. The team works to standards set for early intervention in psychosis teams and participates in the annual National Clinical Audit on Psychosis. The team also works closely with the early detection team, HEADS UP, which provides support to those who are at risk of developing psychosis, and actively connects with local community groups in order to improve detection rates of this group.

This post would be suitable for someone with significant experience, a strong interest in psychosis and early intervention and a collaborative approach to leadership. The successful candidate will be responsible for the provision of psychology across EQUIP and Heads Up. They will also work closely with the operational lead and consultant psychiatrists as a member of the senior management team.

The principal psychologist role provides leadership to and management of the psychology staff within the service, as well as contributing to the senior management team within the service. The post holder will work alongside clinical and/or counselling psychologists already in post to support individuals who are experiencing or at risk of developing first episode psychosis and their families/carers.

The post holder will supervise and line manage the psychological professions in the team and lead on other aspects of governance required to deliver an effective service.

Whilst there may be opportunities for a small caseload as well as supporting the team with complex assessments and psychological consultations, the main focus of the role is on the team’s provision of effective and timely psychological interventions in accordance with NICE guidelines for Early Intervention in Psychosis, and ensuring that the psychological professionals are suitably led and supported towards that aim.

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or coordinate clinical & managerial supervision for the psychologists in EQUIP and Heads Up (henceforth referred to as “the teams”), placing the service user at the centre of service planning and delivery
• Ensure that staffing provision within the psychological profession is in line with service need and the established budget and to develop relevant and meaningful job plans for that group
• Lead on recruitment processes for psychological professionals
• Oversee the effective administration of the waiting list, including allocation of work to specific team members
• Oversee and lead on the development of psychology provision for first episode psychosis in EQUIP and Heads Up in line with national guidance and other early intervention services across East London
• Provide specialist assessment and formulation of service users with complex presentations
• Potentially provide specialist evidence-based intervention to service users, including CBT for psychosis and Family Intervention
• Offer psychotherapeutic insights, consultation, supervision and teaching to team members as appropriate
• Participate as an active member of the EQUIP and Heads Up senior leadership team in regards to service development, evaluation and research
• Represent EQUIP and Heads Up psychology in Psychological Professionals Leadership meetings, both within City and Hackney as well as trust wide in East London
• Leading on innovation in the team with regards to developing care pathways that best meet the needs of the service users in collaboration with users, carers, other statutory and voluntary sector organisations

This advert closes on Tuesday 30 Sep 2025