Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

NHS; Slough; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Principal Psychologist at a leading NHS trust in East Berkshire. This role involves providing highly specialist psychological therapy services, supervising junior staff, and leading service developments. The successful candidate will work within a supportive environment committed to high-quality mental health care.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days' annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning and career development opportunities

'Cycle to Work' scheme

Access to wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at retailers and restaurants

Generous maternity and paternity leave

Free parking across Trust sites

Qualifications

• Must have a doctoral qualification in clinical psychology.
• Registered with HCPC or UKCP/BPC.
• Evidence of post-doctoral specialist training in at least 2 areas.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist psychological assessment and treatment.
• Supervise and support psychological assessments by other team members.
• Initiate and lead service developments for timely patient interventions.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Psychological assessment

Evidence-based practice

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical psychology

Registered with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC)

Job description

Job summary

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self-motivated practitioner with experience in mental health to further develop their skills and knowledge in the specialist area of the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHTT) in East Berkshire.

As a Principal Psychologist, the post holder will be responsible for the provision of highly specialist psychological therapy services in East Berkshire, working with their counterpart in the west of the county and assisted by Assistant Psychologists from within the team.

Main duties of the job

• To ensure the systematic provision of a high quality highly specialist integrated psychological therapies service to clients and staff within the clinical team to which the post-holder is attached, across all sectors of care.

• To provide specialist psychological assessment and treatment, formulation and consultation.

• To supervise and support the psychological assessment and therapy provided by other psychologist and other clinical members of the teams who provide psychologically based care and treatment.

• In collaboration with the locality leadership team, to initiate, contribute to, and lead service developments as required to ensure patients receive the most appropriate interventions in a timely way to enable their recovery, balancing most current research evidence, available resources, and an understanding of local and national policy and objectives.

• To work autonomously within professional and local guidelines and policies and to exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice within the services.

• To utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development and research.

• To propose and implement agreed policy changes and service development initiatives within the locality and across the Trust.

• To contribute to and take leadership of Trust wide developments, working as part of the psychological therapies network in the Trust.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details Date posted

21 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,337 to £74,415 a year per annum, pro rata (inc. of HCAS)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-MHS742-B

Job locations

Britwell Health Clinic

Wentworth Avenue

Slough

SL2 2DH

Job description Job responsibilities

The "must haves" for this role:

• Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical psychology (or equivalent) and clinical supervision training for psychology trainees.
• Registered and accredited with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) or UKCP/BPC
• Evidence of post-doctoral specialist training to accreditable level in at least 2 areas of psychological practice directly related to the clinical requirements of this post
• Experience of working in evidence based ways with clients who have complex mental health problems and contributing to the development of services for this client group
• Experience of managing highly complex situations concerning safeguarding, risk management, clinical governance, complaints and investigations

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Kenny Byrne on 07766991079 or email: [e-mail], who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description Job responsibilities

The "must haves" for this role:

• Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical psychology (or equivalent) and clinical supervision training for psychology trainees.
• Registered and accredited with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) or UKCP/BPC
• Evidence of post-doctoral specialist training to accreditable level in at least 2 areas of psychological practice directly related to the clinical requirements of this post
• Experience of working in evidence based ways with clients who have complex mental health problems and contributing to the development of services for this client group
• Experience of managing highly complex situations concerning safeguarding, risk management, clinical governance, complaints and investigations

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Kenny Byrne on 07766991079 or email: [e-mail], who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential

• Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996 or for those who completed their training overseas) which provides eligibility for Chartered Membership of the BPS (British Psychological Society).
• Registered and accredited with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Additional accreditations (or working towards these) to reflect to post qualification specialist training (e.g., BABCP, UKCP, ACAT, BPS).
• Proven ability in teaching and formal training in professional/clinical supervision.

Continuous Professional Development Essential

• Evidence of substantial post-doctoral training, experience and expert knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches with an evidence base within the area of specialism. OR
• Evidence of post qualification or specialist training to accreditable level in at least two areas of psychological/psychotherapy practice directly related to the clinical requirements of this post and clinical supervision.
• Clinical supervision training for psychological therapy trainees and qualified staff with supervision training for psychotherapy trainees on placement.

Experience Essential

• Significant experience working as a qualified clinical/counselling psychologist/psychotherapist/family systemic therapist, neuropsychologist, including demonstrable post qualification experience at a highly specialist level in the related specialisms.
• Significant experience of working in evidence-based ways with service users (and their carers/ families) presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of care settings, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse.
• Experience of dealing with highly distressing or emotional circumstances, such as serious mental illness, child and sexual abuse, exploitation, and complex family dynamics.
• Experience of teaching and professional/clinical supervision, as well as experience of developing and leading the delivery of training programmes and supervision.
• Experience of service evaluation and implementing change from a national and local health or social care change agenda that impacts across services and professions.
• Experience of working with, and addressing issues of diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism and equality of access to services

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential

• Able to manage a demanding and complex caseload while supporting junior colleagues.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers, and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS.
• Detailed and advanced knowledge of a range of evidence-based assessments and therapeutic interventions within designated clinical area.
• Exceptional interpersonal and highly effective communication skills with the ability to support, engage and lead patients, clinicians and other stakeholder groups in change, development, and improvement.
• Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS office/Teams, and the internet).

Additional requirements Essential

• Demonstrates the ability to respond to people's needs sensitively, particularly with reference to all aspects of diversity.
• Able to work flexibly as required and to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential

• Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996 or for those who completed their training overseas) which provides eligibility for Chartered Membership of the BPS (British Psychological Society).
• Registered and accredited with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Additional accreditations (or working towards these) to reflect to post qualification specialist training (e.g., BABCP, UKCP, ACAT, BPS).
• Proven ability in teaching and formal training in professional/clinical supervision.

Continuous Professional Development Essential

• Evidence of substantial post-doctoral training, experience and expert knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches with an evidence base within the area of specialism. OR
• Evidence of post qualification or specialist training to accreditable level in at least two areas of psychological/psychotherapy practice directly related to the clinical requirements of this post and clinical supervision.
• Clinical supervision training for psychological therapy trainees and qualified staff with supervision training for psychotherapy trainees on placement.

Experience Essential

• Significant experience working as a qualified clinical/counselling psychologist/psychotherapist/family systemic therapist, neuropsychologist, including demonstrable post qualification experience at a highly specialist level in the related specialisms.
• Significant experience of working in evidence-based ways with service users (and their carers/ families) presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of care settings, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse.
• Experience of dealing with highly distressing or emotional circumstances, such as serious mental illness, child and sexual abuse, exploitation, and complex family dynamics.
• Experience of teaching and professional/clinical supervision, as well as experience of developing and leading the delivery of training programmes and supervision.
• Experience of service evaluation and implementing change from a national and local health or social care change agenda that impacts across services and professions.
• Experience of working with, and addressing issues of diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism and equality of access to services

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential

• Able to manage a demanding and complex caseload while supporting junior colleagues.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers, and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS.
• Detailed and advanced knowledge of a range of evidence-based assessments and therapeutic interventions within designated clinical area.
• Exceptional interpersonal and highly effective communication skills with the ability to support, engage and lead patients, clinicians and other stakeholder groups in change, development, and improvement.
• Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS office/Teams, and the internet).

Additional requirements Essential

• Demonstrates the ability to respond to people's needs sensitively, particularly with reference to all aspects of diversity.
• Able to work flexibly as required and to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Britwell Health Clinic

Wentworth Avenue

Slough

SL2 2DH

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Britwell Health Clinic

Wentworth Avenue

Slough

SL2 2DH

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)