Practitioner Psychologist & Psychological Therapist

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in London is seeking a Clinical Lead to implement the Crisis Plus model in Croydon. The role requires a senior psychologist or psychotherapist with experience in managing complex emotional needs. Responsibilities include providing expert assessment, managing a team, and training staff in crisis management. This is a fixed-term position with opportunities for leadership development in a supportive environment, focused on mental health services.

Benefits

Generous pay and pensions

Flexible working options

Career development programs

NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex emotional needs.
• Ability to work autonomously and within HCPC guidelines.
• Competence in risk assessment and crisis planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Crisis Plus model.
• Provide specialist assessment for clients with emotional difficulties.
• Train staff in crisis management and psychologically informed care.

Skills

Leadership skills

Working with Personality Disorder

Managing self-harm

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Senior psychologist or psychotherapist

Job description

We are pleased to announce a Clinical Lead post, as part of an expansion of the Crisis Plus model. This is a fixed‑term 3‑year contract. The successful candidate will lead the implementation of the Crisis Plus model across the Croydon directorate, specifically targeting those with Complex Emotional Needs (CEN). The role is suitable for a senior and experienced psychologist or psychotherapist who is looking to develop their leadership skills across adult mental‑health services. Applicants should have specialist skills in working with Personality Disorder, managing self‑harm and substance use, and demonstrate effective multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency working.

Responsibilities

• Lead the CEN Crisis Plus model within Croydon Adult Mental Health Services, leading a team of two Assistant Psychologists.
• Use expertise around those who frequently experience mental‑health crises to provide specialist assessment and clinical formulation for clients with significant difficulties with emotional and behavioural dysregulation across the diagnostic spectrum.
• Apply evidence‑based psychological principles to support teams working with service users who are at risk of relapse due to poor coping skills, including disengagement from appropriate services.
• Ensure delivery of high‑quality, psychologically informed crisis and care planning for the most challenging clients across the Operational Directorate by supporting staff through consultation to develop and deliver consistent crisis and care plans and interventions.
• Undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual service users and provide general advice to other professionals on the psychological aspects of risk assessment and management.
• Provide training in psychologically informed care and crisis planning to staff, enabling effective support and coaching of clients in crisis management.
• Support the development and integration of service alongside the Crisis Line, Crisis Café and future third‑sector or partnership developments.
• Directly manage trainee psychologists/psychotherapists and Band 5 Assistant Psychologists, including recruitment and appraisal of staff within the service and the wider operational directorate as appropriate.
• Work autonomously within the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) or relevant professional body guidance, following the service’s policies and procedures, taking responsibility for own treatment and discharge decisions under supervision.
• Act as an effective team member, giving and receiving constructive feedback, liaising with other professionals to develop and review psychologically informed crisis and care plans, and interventions.
• Communicate skilfully and sensitively, taking account of sensory, cultural and linguistic barriers, to clients and carers.
• Produce reports as requested, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, to inform referrers and, where appropriate, clients.
• Respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations (e.g. disclosures of abuse, self‑harm, suicide) and support others involved.
• Receive regular clinical and professional supervision according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.
• Provide supervision (both individual and group) for the HIU‑informed work of other multidisciplinary staff as appropriate; provide clinical supervision to Band 8a Psychological Therapists and Band 5 Assistant Psychologists.
• Identify any aspects of the service that could be improved, contributing to service development through appropriate projects in consultation with the head of service.
• Contribute to the consultation and engagement of clients in planning and delivering services.
• Participate in clinical governance initiatives agreed by the Directorate Clinical Governance Committee and team.
• Ensure personal Continuing Professional Development in line with Trust Personal Development Plan requirements.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.
• Maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
• Comply with the HCPC "Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics" and ensure professional development in line with the HCPC "Standards for Continuing Professional Development" and "Standards of Proficiency".
• Ensure that all services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities within the Croydon Operational Directorate.
• Commit to a workplace that embraces diversity, promotes equality of opportunity, and treats all clients, staff and carers with compassion, respect and dignity. We are a Disability Confident Employer and an Equality Champion, welcoming applicants from all sections of the community and providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability.

Application Process

• All applications for this post must be submitted online.
• Applicants should read and understand the Job Description and Person Specification attached to the role; the Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified, as the application will be judged against these criteria.
• The closing date listed is a guide only; the vacancy may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applicants is received. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible.
• By submitting your application you agree to your application being transferred to a third‑party e‑recruitment system; further information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs.
• If you do not hear from us within three weeks from the closing date, your application has not been successful.
• Priority consideration may be given to at‑risk NHS employees.
• If successful, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter‑Authority Transfer (IAT) process.
• We are a smoke‑free Trust; SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion and the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe.

Benefits

• Generous pay, pensions and leave: we offer a comprehensive package that is dependent on the role and length of service.
• Work‑life balance: flexible working and support for part‑time working and job sharing.
• Career development: mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes.
• Car lease: competitive deals to lease cars.
• Accommodation: key‑worker housing available on selected sites.
• NHS discounts: up to 10% off a variety of retail brands through the Health Service Discounts website.
• Additional benefits include:
  • Counselling services
  • Long service awards
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Season ticket loan
  • Childcare vouchers
  • Staff restaurants

Helpful Resource

How to Use TRAC for Job Applications – If you’re preparing to apply, this guide provides step‑by‑step instructions on how to use TRAC effectively throughout the application process.