Psychology/Therapist Professional Lead (locality)

NHS; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an inspiring Psychology/Therapist Professional Lead for its North Devon Core Mental Health Teams. This role is pivotal in promoting mental and physical wellbeing through effective psychological services. You will lead a dedicated team, ensuring high-quality care for individuals with complex mental health needs. The position offers opportunities for professional development and collaboration with local training courses. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to compassionate care and making a real difference in the community.

Qualifications

• Qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist with HCPC registration.
• Experience in leadership roles within clinical psychology services.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological leadership and support psychologically informed care.
• Manage a small caseload and ensure effective psychological therapy.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Psychological Assessment

Communication Skills

Conflict Management

Data Analysis

Education

D.Clin.Psychol. or equivalent

Masters level training in psychological therapy

Tools

IT Skills

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to appoint an inspiring and enthusiastic Psychology / Therapist Professional Lead for Psychology and Psychological Therapy for the two North Devon Core Mental Health Teams, based in Barnstaple and Bideford.

We believe Psychology is central to the understanding of mental and physical wellbeing and the application of psychological knowledge and skill to all our services is key to ensuring they are effective, efficient and compassionate.

You will have strong leadership skills and will be responsible for leading a highly skilled team who provide services for people with severe and complex mental health needs. You will have experience of Adult Mental Health Community settings, provision of supervision and working in MDT teams.

Psychological professions are highly valued by the Trust and key contributors to many new developments in services and the overall strategic vision to provide efficient and trauma informed care.

You will be a member of the Psychology Professional Lead team working with the Strategic Lead for Adult Mental Health, assisting with the implementation of our Strategic Plan and ensuring good governance for the Psychological Practice.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will be providing psychological leadership and support the provision of psychologically informed care. You would also support access to effective and efficient evidence based and evidence informed psychological therapy across clinical pathways and hold a small caseload.

The Psychology Service supports close links with the local DClinPsy and DCounsPsych training courses (Exeter, Plymouth and Bristol) and we welcome trainees from all of the different psychological professions.

In addition to clinical supervision, there will be opportunities to meet regularly with the other psychologists and psychological therapists for CPD events. Additional training and career development opportunities are encouraged and supported. The South West Psychology Profession Network is a well-established professional community attend by a range of professions from across the region providing a forum to discuss issues of local and national importance, networking opportunities and sharing learning.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

01 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£62,215 to £72,293 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

C9369-25-0056-2

Job locations

West Pilton Health and Wellbeing Clinic

Youings Drive

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 1QL

Bideford Hospital

Abbotsham Road

Bideford

Devon

EX39 3AG

Job description Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin.Psychol. or equivalent and eligible for Chartered Clinical or Counselling Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society and Registered with HCPC) or
• Psychological Therapist (must be trained to masters level or equivalent in a specific psychological therapy and registered with an appropriate recognised professional body e.g. UKCP, BABCP or other relevant Professional Standards Authority accredited professional register).
• Further training or equivalent experience in [specialism] , or [specialist psychological practice or therapy]
• Further training in at least one psychological therapy

Desirable

• IT Skills

Experience Essential

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community and in patient settings.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity
• Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
• Experience in undertaking leadership roles within clinical psychology/psychological therapy services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multi disciplinary, multi agency contexts.
• Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.

Knowledge Essential

• Broad knowledge of specialist services and of the services in the NHS where clinical health psychology is commonly applied.
• Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies.
• Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.
• Knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex data analysis
• A good knowledge of and ability to work with current NHS drivers in mental health including the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies agenda

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills
• Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Skills in managing conflict, negotiation and achieving consensus in complex situations in the pursuit of agreed strategic aims
• Ability to integrate and manipulate complex data, interpret this information and write comprehensive reports.
• Ability to make highly skilled evaluations and decisions; and take a long term perspective.
• Proven organisational, planning and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with deadlines
• Presentable
• Clear telephone voice
• Calm, methodical approach, friendly but concise
• Good communication skills when presenting / facilitating to varying groups of people
• Highly skilled in specialist interventions with the client group.
• Advanced psychological assessment and formulation skills including risk assessment.

Desirable

• Project management skills / experience

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin.Psychol. or equivalent and eligible for Chartered Clinical or Counselling Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society and Registered with HCPC) or
• Psychological Therapist (must be trained to masters level or equivalent in a specific psychological therapy and registered with an appropriate recognised professional body e.g. UKCP, BABCP or other relevant Professional Standards Authority accredited professional register).
• Further training or equivalent experience in [specialism] , or [specialist psychological practice or therapy]
• Further training in at least one psychological therapy

Desirable

• IT Skills

Experience Essential

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community and in patient settings.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity
• Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
• Experience in undertaking leadership roles within clinical psychology/psychological therapy services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multi disciplinary, multi agency contexts.
• Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.

Knowledge Essential

• Broad knowledge of specialist services and of the services in the NHS where clinical health psychology is commonly applied.
• Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies.
• Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.
• Knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex data analysis
• A good knowledge of and ability to work with current NHS drivers in mental health including the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies agenda

Skills and Abilities Essential

• Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills
• Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Skills in managing conflict, negotiation and achieving consensus in complex situations in the pursuit of agreed strategic aims
• Ability to integrate and manipulate complex data, interpret this information and write comprehensive reports.
• Ability to make highly skilled evaluations and decisions; and take a long term perspective.
• Proven organisational, planning and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with deadlines
• Presentable
• Clear telephone voice
• Calm, methodical approach, friendly but concise
• Good communication skills when presenting / facilitating to varying groups of people
• Highly skilled in specialist interventions with the client group.
• Advanced psychological assessment and formulation skills including risk assessment.

Desirable

• Project management skills / experience

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

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

West Pilton Health and Wellbeing Clinic

Youings Drive

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 1QL

Employer's website

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

Employer details Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

West Pilton Health and Wellbeing Clinic

Youings Drive

Barnstaple

Devon

EX31 1QL

Employer's website

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