Principal High Intensity CBT Therapist (Step 2 Clinical Lead)

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London is seeking a Step 2 Clinical Lead to oversee the delivery of a high-quality therapy service. This role requires significant experience in CBT and staff management, along with a commitment to service development. The successful candidate will manage a team of therapists, ensuring efficient service delivery for patients with mental health issues. Competitive salary, with options for full-time or part-time work.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in staff management and achieving service targets.
• Experience of managing NHS Talking Therapies services.
• Knowledge of NICE-recommended models for IAPT.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies to meet recovery and improvement targets.
• Plan and manage treatment capacity and demand.
• Lead service development initiatives.

Skills

Staff management

Service improvement

Clinical assessment

CBT supervision

Advanced psychological therapies

Education

Postgraduate diploma in CBT

Practitioner accreditation with BABCP

Job description

Job title: Step 2 Clinical Lead (Fixed term, maternity cover)

Overview

A fixed term opportunity to cover the Step 2 Clinical Lead role at Lambeth NHS Talking Therapies for 13 months. The post holder will contribute to the development and provision of a high quality therapy service for people with common mental health problems in Lambeth, and will be an experienced psychological therapist with NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) experience. The role involves management responsibilities, supporting clinical teams, and leading service development and improvement in collaboration with the service lead and deputy service lead.

Responsibilities

• Develop the strategy for the Step 2 team to meet nationally set targets around reliable recovery and reliable improvement.
• Plan and manage treatment capacity and demand to meet targets on completed treatments and waiting times.
• Line manage the Step 2 8a Team Leads and Step 2 team, supporting well-being, development and performance.
• Lead on recruitment for qualified and trainee PWPs.
• Lead monthly Step 2 meetings and LI supervisors meetings, with the 8a Step 2 Team Leads.
• Liaise with UCL about the Croydon & Lambeth London training cohort.
• Collaborate with the service lead to plan future service development and lead specific initiatives.
• Work with service users, referrers and other providers to improve current services and develop new care pathways.
• Support the service lead in maintaining a strong, motivated team.
• Work autonomously as a Senior Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist within professional guidelines and service policies.
• Provide high quality specialist CBT supervision.

About us

The post holder will work within the Lambeth NHS Talking Therapies Service, comprising approximately 120 WTE clinical and administrative staff with services across Lambeth. Main bases are Dalbury House (Brixton), Stockwell Gardens, and Palace Rd (Streatham). The service serves a diverse population with varying levels of need, including social, housing and employment issues. Equal opportunities are a core commitment, including use of interpreters where necessary.

We operate a stepped care model offering online CBT, guided self-help, groups and workshops, as well as individual therapy (CBT and other approaches). We offer services to Lambeth residents suffering from long-term conditions. Clinical services operate on weekdays 8am–8pm with links to sister IAPT services within SLaM, IAPT training courses at the Institute of Psychiatry and UCL.

Details

Date posted: 24 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: 8b

Salary: £72,921 to £83,362 per annum (including HCAs)

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 13 months

Working pattern: Full-time or Part-time

Reference: 334-CLI-7427825

Location: Lambeth NHS Talking Therapies, 1a Dalbury House, Ferndale Rd, London SW9 8AP

Key Responsibilities

• Planning, managing and evaluating the delivery of services within Lambeth Talking Therapies
• Assess service need, capacity requirements and future planning
• Plan and manage recruitment to meet service needs
• Monitor and evaluate service activity and outcomes
• Ensure efficient use of resources and adoption of new care delivery approaches
• Design and implement new care pathways in collaboration with referrers and other services
• Develop and update policies and procedures for high quality clinical services
• Commission and monitor external provision of services as agreed

• Team management
• Agree job plans, performance targets and development goals with the team; monitor achievement
• Foster a supportive, performance-focused team ethos; address issues impacting wellbeing and performance
• Induct new team members and support their development and performance
• Ensure a programme of clinical training and development for the team
• Maintain two-way communication between staff and service management
• Lead team meetings

• Service leadership
• Share responsibility for service direction and development; lead monthly service management meetings and team meetings
• Provide regular reports on activity and performance; identify and implement improvements
• Lead recruitment of CBT therapists, PWPs, administration staff, and trainees
• Engage in user consultation and engagement in planning and development
• Manage patient complaints appropriately and participate in clinical governance
• Promote use of outcome measures and service user involvement

• Clinical
• Provide expertise in a highly specialist clinical area within an IAPT framework
• Deliver NICE-recommended, formulation-driven interventions for depression and anxiety; adapt for local needs
• Provide highly specialist assessments and formulations for complex needs; produce psychological reports as required
• Deliver and monitor outcomes; work autonomously within professional guidelines
• Travel to community settings and across the Trust as required
• Maintain clinical caseload in line with activity targets

Teaching, Training and Supervision

• Receive regular supervision per BABCP/BPS/HCPC guidelines
• Contribute to knowledge and skills development within Lambeth IAPT
• Provide supervision to HI CBT therapists, PWPs, trainees and junior staff; include live supervision
• Deliver outcome-focused supervision and participate in LI and HI supervisor groups
• Contribute to risk management and training of other professionals

Research and Service Development

• Promote a research-informed culture with outcome measures
• Encourage critical evaluation and undertake research; disseminate findings
• Initiate and supervise service evaluations and audits

Professional

• Work autonomously, adhering to professional guidelines and service policies
• Maintain Continuing Professional Development per relevant bodies
• Stay informed about advances in CBT and other therapies
• Work within the CBT principles and Clinical Governance Framework

General

• Participate in IAPT service and Lambeth Directorate meetings
• Lead investigations into Serious Untoward Events as required
• Travel to GP practices and service meetings; occasional evenings and Saturdays

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Qualified therapist in CBT from an IAPT-approved High Intensity training at postgraduate diploma level or equivalent
• Practitioner accreditation with BABCP

Desirable

• Additional therapy qualification (e.g., EMDR, IPT, DIT, Couples/systemic)

Experience

• Significant experience in staff management including line management and appraisal
• Experience of implementing major service improvements and achieving service targets
• Experience of managing day-to-day running of a significant NHS Talking Therapies service
• Experience of supervising psychological therapists, including PWPs and HI therapists

Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced knowledge of at least one NICE-recommended model for IAPT
• Attended supervision training for PWP and HI roles
• Advanced knowledge of disorder-specific formulations and evidence-based treatments

Disclosures

Disclosure and Barring Service: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require DBS disclosure.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. See UK Visas and Immigration guidance for overseas checks.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers for details.

Employer details

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Lambeth NHS Talking Therapies, 1a Dalbury House, Ferndale Rd, London SW9 8AP

Website: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/