Principal Therapist for Talking Therapies, Havering | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

North East London NHS Foundation Trust; Romford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Romford seeks an experienced Principal Therapist to lead clinical and administrative teams in Talking Therapies. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of senior experience, provide operational leadership, support team cohesion, and manage a caseload. This role offers a hybrid work model and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

High-Cost Area Supplement up to £5,735

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in leading clinical and administrative teams.
• Strong oversight abilities regarding KPIs.
• Ability to support service development and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and clinical leadership for psychological professionals.
• Support implementation of good practice guidelines.
• Manage a caseload and offer consultation on complex cases.

Skills

Operational/service management experience and skills

3+ years experience as a senior high intensity within Talking Therapies

Humanistic approach to leadership

Team-building and prioritizing staff work-life balance

Working effectively within the senior team

Job description

Principal Therapist – Havering

NELFT Talking Therapies are developing and improving their structures, aiming to meet the needs of our users of service more effectively and efficiently.

We are looking for motivated, committed and experienced CBT Therapists, Counselling or Clinical Psychologists to join the leadership Team. The successful candidate will support the Psychological Professional Leads of Talking Therapies to operationally and clinically lead the clinical and administrative teams.

This role is dependant on passing the 6 Months probation period in order to fulfil the permanent role.

Key Skills & Experience

• Operational/service management experience and skills.
• Over 3+ years experience as a senior high intensity within Talking Therapies offering clinical oversight with regards to KPI's and line & clinical management of other CBT clinicians.
• A humanistic approach to leadership of a team, team-building, & prioritisation of staff work-life balance.
• Working effectively within the senior team to perpetuate a positive team cohesion whilst balancing service KPI delivery.

Responsibilities

The post holder will provide operational and clinical leadership for the psychological professionals working in the Talking Therapies, as well as supporting the implementation of good practice guidelines. They will also be required to lead and contribute to service development and evaluation.

The post will involve both direct and indirect clinical work with service users. Specifically, the post holder will carry a case load, as well as providing consultation and support to the team on complex cases.

The post-holder will be required to undertake operational tasks to support service delivery and will represent the service at directorate level and in relevant trust-wide forums.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High-Cost Area Supplement

This post also attracts payment for High-Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,551 and a maximum payment of £5,735) pro rata for part time staff.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points based system.

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification when completing your application. Please ensure you meet the person specifications and have the relevant qualifications required for the role.

The teams operate under a hybrid model so you will be required to spend time working on site and homeworking.

Advert closes on Wednesday 26 Nov 2025