Perinatal Senior Psychologist band 8A | East London NHS Foundation Trust

East London NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare organization in Bedfordshire is seeking a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to provide specialist psychological services for perinatal mental health. The successful candidate will deliver assessments, therapies, and support group interventions for birthing individuals facing mental health challenges. This position offers an opportunity for newly qualified psychologists as a development role. Applications are open until November 23, 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience in secondary mental health settings.
• Understanding trauma impact in the perinatal period.
• Car owner/driver essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist psychological services to users.
• Deliver psychological assessments and therapies.
• Plan and evaluate group interventions.
• Provide risk assessments and advice.
• Supervise and support psychologists.
• Contribute to service development.

Skills

Specialist psychological assessment

Evidence-based interventions

Trauma-focused therapy

Supervision and support

Compassionate care

Education

Qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

Job description

Overview

The Perinatal Mental Health Team supports birthing people in Bedfordshire and Luton with moderate to severe mental health difficulties antenatally and up to two years postnatally. It is a dedicated multi-disciplinary team involving psychiatry, psychology, nursery nurse, occupational therapy and nursing interventions.

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated, reflective and experienced Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to provide specialist psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions for individuals, couples and families, and to support delivery of group interventions. For newly qualified psychologists, this can be offered as a development post.

The post holder will work closely with OCEAN, the Maternal Mental Health Service supporting those affected by birth loss or birth trauma, as well as actively working and collaborating with mother and baby units, community mental health teams, parent‑infant psychotherapy in CAMHS and local talking‑therapy services.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality comprehensive specialist psychological services to the Perinatal Mental Health Service users across Bedfordshire and Luton, including pregnant women and those with children under 24 months.
• Deliver highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and therapies to individual patients, some of which may be provided in service user’s homes.
• Plan, run and evaluate psychologically‑based group interventions.
• Provide specialist risk assessments and advice on risk management.
• Supervise and support other qualified, trainee and assistant psychologists and psychological therapists.
• Share time across Perinatal and OCEAN services, as agreed with the Principal Psychologist.
• Provide highly specialist consultation and support to teams, wards and other agencies in developing care plans for service users.
• Contribute to service development initiatives, audit and maintain high standards of professional practice.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist.
• Experience in secondary mental health settings and working with perinatal mental health issues.
• Understanding of the impact of trauma in the perinatal period and experience of delivering trauma‑focused therapy.
• Car owner/driver is essential.
• Demonstrated compassion and sensitivity to the challenges facing birthing people with mental health difficulties during the perinatal period.

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.

This advert closes on Sunday 23 Nov 2025.