Principal Psychologist

Priory; Bassingbourn cum Kneesworth; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an

Enhanced maternity pay

Contributory pension scheme

Flexible benefits including gym access

Access to development opportunities

Sponsorship of IPD qualifications

Leadership & management development

Long service award

Refer a friend bonuses

Job summary

Priory Kneesworth House in Royston, Hertfordshire, is seeking a Principal Psychologist to lead psychological care across designated wards. You will oversee assessment, intervention, and evaluation within a high-standard, rehab-focused service.

The role requires HCPC registration and experience in enduring mental health; forensic experience is desirable. We offer flexible full-time/part-time hours, extensive training, and opportunities for leadership and professional development.

Qualifications

• Essential: Hold professional registration with HCPC
• Experience of working with enduring mental health.
• Desirable: Experience of working in a forensic setting and/or with a forensic adult population who present with offending risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead psychological care for designated wards/patients, including assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
• Work autonomously within professional and service guidelines.
• Supervise and support psychology staff, trainees, and students.
• Provide consultation, reflective practice, and staff training.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary reviews, risk assessments, and patient care planning.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and manage administrative responsibilities.
• Support service development, audits, research, and evidence-based practice.
• Oversee referrals, waiting lists, KPIs, and governance of psychological practice.
• Build effective relationships with patients, carers, staff, and external agencies.
• Maintain CPD, supervision, and compliance with Health & Safety and Mental Health Act requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical governance

Assessment & intervention

Education

HCPC registration

Enduring mental health experience

Forensic experience desirable

Job description

Description

Kneesworth House
Full-time and part-time hours available
Up to £61,492 FTE depending on experience
HCPC registration is required
Located in Royston, Hertfordshire, within a purpose-built facility and spacious grounds, Priory Hospital Kneesworth House is a level 2 rehabilitation service, which provides a range of specialist recovery pathways, all at one site.

This role offers flexibility and can be part-time or full-time. Preferred working arrangements can be discussed at interview, although they will need to align with the needs of the service.

What you'll be doing

As a Principal Psychologist, you will play a pivotal role in patient recovery, leading psychological care and ensuring high standards of treatment. Your work will directly contribute to the well-being of individuals seeking support in a purpose-built facility.

• Lead psychological care for designated wards/patients, including assessment, intervention, and evaluation.


• Work autonomously within professional and service guidelines.


• Supervise and support psychology staff, trainees, and students.


• Provide consultation, reflective practice, and staff training.


• Contribute to multidisciplinary reviews, risk assessments, and patient care planning.


• Maintain accurate clinical records and manage administrative responsibilities.


• Support service development, audits, research, and evidence-based practice.


• Oversee referrals, waiting lists, KPIs, and governance of psychological practice.


• Build effective relationships with patients, carers, staff, and external agencies.


• Maintain CPD, supervision, and compliance with Health & Safety and Mental Health Act requirements.

You can find additional information in the attached job description.

What you'll bring to the role

Essential

• Hold professional registration with HCPC


• Experience of working with enduring mental health.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a forensic setting and/or with a forensic adult population who present with offending risk.

What we will give you in return

We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.

• Free on-site parking


• Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave


• Enhanced maternity pay


• Contributory pension scheme


• Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)


• Access to development opportunities


• Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel


• Leadership & management development


• Long service award


• Refer a friend bonuses

Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.

About Priory

Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care. With 12,000 colleagues and a network of 270 services, we support over 24,000 people each year to live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions - including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and children’s mental health - and provide residential and supported living care for autistic adults, people with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome, brain injuries and older people.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to providing an inclusive, accessible recruitment process. Learn more about the accessibility support we offer here.

All roles are subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.