Head of Programme – Psychology Specialist Practice

TN United Kingdom; South Kesteven; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Scotland seeks a Head of Programme in Psychology. This strategic leadership role involves overseeing the training of psychologists and enhancing workforce capacity in psychological care. The ideal candidate will possess a Doctoral qualification in Psychology, extensive experience in Learning Disabilities, and strong leadership skills. The position offers flexible working arrangements and a robust benefits package, including annual leave and salary progression.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Annual incremental salary progression

27 days annual leave plus public holidays

NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Registered with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Experience in Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity.
• Ability to support others in a rapidly changing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-profile programme of work at national level.
• Develop and implement education supporting strategic themes.
• Work in partnership with NHS Scotland and stakeholders.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Research

Education

Doctoral level qualification in Psychology

Job description

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Head of Programme – Psychology Specialist Practice, scotland, united kingdom

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Client:

NHS Education For Scotland

Location:

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

3c03dc73e92c

Job Views:

2

Posted:

21.05.2025

Expiry Date:

05.07.2025

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Job Description:

Location : Edinburgh/Glasgow

Work Pattern: Permanent, Part Time, 18.5 hours per week

You must have eligibility and entitlement to work in the UK which is required to be maintained throughout your period of employment.

Who We Are

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is the national health board with statutory responsibilities to effect sustainable change through workforce development, education and training across the health and social care system in Scotland, while working at UK level with partner organisations.

The NES Psychology Directorate has two major areas of responsibility:

Training of psychologists for NHS Scotland

Upskilling the existing multi-professional workforce in psychological care

NES has responsibility for commissioning pre-registration training for clinical and applied psychology for NHSScotland. Through partnership working with NHS Boards and Universities, we have been involved in ensuring training pathways reflect changing service needs. The Directorate has developed relationships with a wide range of other stakeholders in Scotland (e.g. Scottish Government, Scottish Social Services Council, Higher Education Institutes) and across the UK (e.g. Department of Health, professional and regulatory bodies) to take forward its modernisation agenda for this professional group.

The directorate has a leading role in developing NES educational strategy to support increased availability of psychological interventions and therapies as well as a significant role in supporting implementation in practice. NES has been directed to work in partnership with Scottish Government, the Scottish Social Services Council, NHS Boards and other key stakeholders to increase the capacity within the current workforce to deliver evidence based psychological interventions

The Opportunity

Working within the Psychology Directorate, this is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to take up a strategic leadership role in a high-profile programme of work at national level.

You will be an innovative and highly motivated psychologist (qualified to Doctoral level or equivalent), registered with the Health Care Professions Council, and with considerable experience of working in the field of Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity across the lifespan. You will have expert knowledge and have significant experience of clinical practice, teaching / training, and membership of high-level strategic planning groups. Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills are essential, as is engagement in partnership working with a range of stakeholders. In addition, the post-holder will be committed to multi-professional and inter-agency approaches to education and healthcare, and will be able to demonstrate flexibility and high-level diplomacy skills. You should demonstrate a proven ability to support others in a rapidly changing environment as well as delivering high level leadership and research skills.

Does this sound like you?

What We Love to See

The Head of Programme postholder will need a broad range of skills and experience, if you can offer some or all of these, we’d love you to apply

highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at theforefront of knowledge in a field of work, which you use as the basis for original thinking, strategic planning, leadership, education design and implementation and/or research;

will proactively co-ordinate and connect a range of activities across the interfacebetween NES, Scottish Government and services within NHS Scotland;

takes responsibility for the development and implementation of education that will support the key strategic themes of developing educational infrastructure and building workforce capacity for service improvement across health and social care in Scotland;

works as part of a team and in partnership with executives and senior managers across NHSScotland and other parts of the public service, agencies and learning & development providers, thereby influencing and building sustained improvements to capability and capacity

Demonstrate honesty, integrity, care and compassion when dealing with others, utilising tact and persuasion skills when necessary

Ability to work on own initiative, to organise and prioritise own workloads, to meet strict deadlines

Benefits Which Matter

As a valued employee of NHS Scotland, you can enjoy an extensive range of benefits including:

Life-work balance - with opportunities for flexible working and hybrid working

Annual incremental salary progression (up to the maximum of the salary band) plus annual NHS salary scale review

Annual Leave - 27 Days increasing in line with service plus 8 days public holiday

NHS discounts and more

Diversity and Inclusion

Developing a successful national service for Scotland is impossible without ensuring we consider the diverse needs, perspectives and backgrounds of everyone in Scotland in our work.

We are focused on hiring the very best talent available for NES, and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and aim to ensure everyone is treated fairly, with respect and has a positive recruitment experience – regardless of the outcome.

It’s not essential to be in Head of Programme role right now. You may be returning from a career break (e.g. maternity, paternity, caring for others) or returning after working in another field. Your experiences elsewhere can bring a fresh perspective to our work.

Next Steps

Our recruitment process is currently 100% remote and if successful you would initially work remotely, working from our offices as operationally required.

All applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail.

Online interviews will take place on 12th June 2025. The presentation topic will be sent to candidates selected for interview.

For further information please refer to the Job Information Pack below.

Unless otherwise stated the deadline for applications is 23:59 hours on the closing date. Please note, CVs will not be accepted.