Senior Clinical Practitioner

NHS; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Wakefield seeks a Senior Advanced Clinical Practitioner or Clinical Psychologist to provide high-level clinical expertise and leadership within a forensic CAMHS team. This role involves assessment and intervention for children at risk, contributing to clinical practices and service development. Candidates must have a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and significant experience in a clinical setting. The position is full-time, with a focus on improving outcomes for young people in secure environments.

Qualifications

• Experience in specialist psychological assessment across care settings.
• Expertise in clinical leadership and forensic mental health.
• Ability to lead complex case formulations and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical expertise into the MDT and lead service development.
• Manage a caseload and deliver specialized treatment services.
• Supervise and support psychologists and trainees.

Skills

Clinical expertise

Leadership skills

Psychometric Assessment

Risk Assessment

Mentalisation Based Therapy

Education

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

First level Registered Nurse

Tools

Psychometric Testing Equipment

Job description

Overview

Go back South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

The closing date is 08 October 2025

Are you passionate about working with Children and Young People? Would you like an opportunity to experience working in a Forensic CAMHS Team. If so, look no further.

We are currently looking for a Senior Advanced Clinical Practitioner or a Forensic or Clinical Psychologist to bring a high level of clinical expertise and specialism into the Clinical Team, working with children who present with highly complex clinical risk in the community and Secure Estate. A key part of this role will involve being part of a National FCAMHS Randomised Controlled Trial using Mentalisation Based Therapy with young people presenting with violence and/or aggression. This will include training and supervision in MBT.

This is an opportunity which offers the chance to be part of a team who pride themselves on offering forensic mental health services to children within the community and secure settings who display forensic behaviour. We have several pathways within the service; offering support to children aged 0-18 working closely with family, carers, and the professional systems to achieve the best possible outcomes and support healthy transitions in the community.

The service is Psychologically informed, formulation driven and is working on a strategy to be truly Trauma Informed in all aspects of service delivery.

To discuss the post please contact [e-mail] or Stacey Hayton [e-mail] 01924316066

Main duties of the job

Your role will be to provide Clinical expertise and Leadership into the MDT and work alongside the Senior Leadership Team in service development to ensure alignment with FCAMHS service specification and National developments. You will support the development of the clinical team in the delivery of a specialist Forensic CAMHS service. In this role you will lead on specialist consultation, assessment, case formulation and risk assessment for the most complex of children in the community or secure estate presenting with Forensic risks. You will bring specialist skills and experience in an identified area of practice/intervention (CBT/HSB/Forensic Risk Assessment/CAMHS) to further advance the clinical offer. You will hold a caseload and provide skills and experience of partnership work. You will be able to deliver training packages in the specialist area of practice in FCAMHS and provide the supervision requirements to ensure a high level of clinical practice is maintained and the best outcomes are achieved for the children we work with.

The post is full time (37.5 hours per week) and permanent. The post is based within Wakefield; however, travel is essential across the region. The working hours for this post are 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, with some options to consider flexible working arrangements.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we’re accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we’re run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

At the time of advertising, this role does meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We look forward to receiving your application.

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

Senior Advanced Clinical Practitioner

KEY RESULT AREAS:

The postholder will as a Senior Advanced Clinical Practitioner (SACP) contribute to the strategic direction for the development of clinical practice within Forensic Community Services (LDA FOLS) and across the Trust as required.

Leading on services consolidation as well as expansion in line with service and trust objectives and in partnership with the Clinical lead and General manager.

The post holder will take the lead in extending boundaries and creating frameworks for the enhancement of clinical practice within their speciality.

The post holder will continue to strive towards excellence in clinical care and communicate this excellence to colleagues both within the organisation and externally. Work as an independent non-medical prescriber within areas as required and designated, taking responsibility for the clinical assessment of the patient, establishing a diagnosis and the clinical management required in accordance with the Trust’s non-medical prescribing policy and protocols.

The post holder will provide:

• Expert clinical practice within the service for at least 60% of the post, including Clinician led clinics and clinical diagnosis and Independent prescribing
• Professional leadership, consultancy and clinical supervision, within the service, to the wider service, including Primary Care and other agencies.
• Be the identified clinical supervisor to other Advanced Clinicians, regarding clinical and prescribing practice
• Education, training and development of staff, and a range of other agencies, including GPs and other medics in the management/ treatment services for all age forensic community services.
• Research into various aspects of service provision and service evaluation which involves this service user group.
• Represent the service and wider Clinical led clinics at Local, Regional and National Forums.
• The post holder will also actively contribute to the development of NICE and NHS England policy development where appropriate.
• The post holder will be a key member of the senior clinical and management team. The position carries responsibility for programme development, delivery and integrity within the pathway.
• To exercise full responsibility and autonomy for the care provided to service users by undertaking the appropriate assessment, diagnosis/formulation and interventions.
• Work in close collaboration with medical and pharmacy personnel taking a lead clinician role on the development of policies and inform development of non-medical prescribing within the Trust

1.1 Care/service/function provision

Lead the systematic development and delivery of the highest quality specialist treatment services within service in conjunction with the General Manager and Clinical Lead, Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychologists, consistent with the Operational Policy for the service.

Provide expert advice/consultation and support to a range of stakeholders working across agencies, disciplines and organisational boundaries at local, regional and national levels.

Manage a defined caseload which will incorporate being responsible for specialist assessment, delivery, and the evaluation of their care including for the forensic community services.

Provide expert advice in relation to the development of integrated care pathways in LDA FOLS / Forensic Community Services.

Develop robust models of clinical care within service, and redefine clinician roles and develop practice skills within this developing area.

Test and evaluate advanced practice roles; for example Independent Non Medical Prescribing/ Approved Clinician-Responsible Clinician Roles.

As a senior clinician within the Trust, make a significant contribution towards the development and implementation of strategies, policies and lead on the implementation of these within area of responsibility.

Take a lead on the development of policy into practice and to ensure clear communication of such policies.

Provide professional advice and guidance to the General Manager responsible for the development of the clinician service within forensic community learning disability and autism services.

Contribute to the development of clearly articulated strategic objectives for nursing and other disciplines relating to service development and an annual action plan designed to meet the goals that clearly dovetails with the strategic objectives of the BDU.

Develop strategies to empower service users, families and carers that will enable them to play an active role in service planning delivery and developments.

Develop practice in light of empirical research finding and disseminate research findings to local, national and international communities.

Act as a resource to statutory and voluntary sector colleagues to assist in developing best practice in care and treatment services for all patient groups.

Clinical Psychologist

JOB SUMMARY

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed. The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

JOB PURPOSE:

The post holder will provide a high quality specialist clinical psychology service to clients as part of the multidisciplinary team within the service.

Provide highly specialist psychological assessment and intervention.

Provide advice and consultation on psychological care to non-psychologist colleagues, and other, non-professional carers, working autonomously within professional guidelines, and the overall framework of the team and trusts policies and procedures.

Supervise and support Psychology Assistants, Trainees and Band 7 HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologists.

To utilise research skills for audit, policy, service development and research within the areas served by the team/service.

JOB DIMENSIONS:

(e.g. budgetary or supervisory responsibilities)

To offer consultation and supervision when required by other agencies involved in the psychological, emotional and behavioural well-being of service users.

To provide supervision of Band 7 Clinical Psychologists, doctoral level clinical psychology trainees, assistant psychologists and trainees from other disciplines as appropriate.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical

To provide highly specialist psychological assessment and treatment for service users experiencing moderate, severe and complex mental health/psychological problems based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observation and semi-structured interviews with service users, their family and/or carers.

To formulate and implement plans for the formal psychological intervention and/or management of mental health/psychological and/or behavioural difficulties based upon an appropriate conceptual framework and exercising expert clinical judgement based on the highest standards of evidence based practice across a full range of care settings.

To establish rapport and build effective working relationships with service users and all those involved in their psychological, emotional and behavioural well-being.

To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes.

To work jointly with other team members and professionals in delivering the most appropriate clinical service to service users and, where appropriate, their families/carers.

To follow appropriate local Safeguarding Adults and Children policies in all clinical work, including close liaison with all relevant agencies.

To provide specialist risk assessment of, and intervention to, service users who may present in local acute settings in line with agreed procedures.

To liaise and consult with the wider professional network in the care of service users, offering consultation and supervision where necessary.

To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients whose problems are managed by psychological interventions and to autonomously manage a caseload of clients.

To contribute directly and indirectly to a psychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of all service users, the settings in which they present, and agencies involved in the psychological, emotional and behavioural well-being.

To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under their care and to effectively evaluate progress.

To participate in the multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment of service users.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Experience

• Clinical Psychologist
• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings including outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient settings.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
• Frequent, protracted sustained and intense concentration.
• Show respect and treat people with dignity.
• Be able to give bad news sensitively.
• Be able to sustain empathy in difficult situations.
• Be aware of all interviewees in any situation.
• Senior Clinical Practitioner
• Extensive experience of working within speciality forensic, learning disability or autism services at Senior(B7) level or above.
• Extensive practice as Independent non-medical Prescriber within speciality.
• Experience of working therapeutically within forensic, learning disability or autism services.
• Substantial experience in managerial / nursing leadership roles.
• Experience of leading service development changes.
• Developed awareness of the evolving healthcare agenda and the implications for nursing.
• Experience of research and developing theory into practice.
• Evidence of facilitating quality improvement into practice.
• Developed knowledge of clinical governance issues.
• Experience of training and education.
• Clinical Psychologist
• Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.
• Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.
• Experience of groupwork.
• Senior Clinical Practitioner
• Experience of contributing towards service development at an organisation / regional / national level.

Qualifications

• Clinical Psychologist
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
• Significant Post qualification experience in a Setting relevant to the post.
• HCPC Registration as a Clinical Psychologist.
• Senior Clinical Practitioner
• First level Registered Nurse or Clinical Practitioner registered with the appropriate professional body.
• or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Senior Clinical Practitioner
• Evidence in specific training related to forensic learning disability and autism services.
• Teaching, training or mentorship qualification or experience to an equivalent level.

Training

• Clinical Psychologist
• Completion of formal training to meet eligibility as clinical supervisor of Doctoral Trainee Clinical Psychologists.
• Senior Clinical Practitioner
• Evidence of relevant training and ongoing professional development.
• Senior Clinical Practitioner
• Evidence of speciality training Eg specialist forensic assessment and intervention.

Personal Attributes

• Clinical Psychologist
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• To transport Psychometric testing equipment.
• Senior Clinical Practitioner
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Self-aware.
• Flexible.
• Able to work in a rapidly changing environment.
• Personally resilient.
• Dynamic.
• Ability to deliver to tight time scales.
• Confident.

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Special Knowledge & Skills

• Clinical Psychologist
• Good Psychometric Assessment skills.
• Experience of assisting in training of Post Graduate Clinical Psychology Trainees.
• Exceptional communication skills in verbal, non verbal and written modes.
• Ability to empathise and develop good therapeutic alliance.
• Ability to Formulate Complex processes.
• Capacity to conduct Psychometric Assessment.
• Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to the role.
• Manual Dexterity for conducting tests.
• Senior Clinical Practitioner
• Ability to undertake advanced clinical practice and examination skills independently that encompasses all aspects of the patients needs.
• Evidence of developing robust governance system including the development and implementation of evidence based protocols, standards, policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Evidence of interpreting and synthesising information from a variety of sources and promoting their use in practice.
• Develop, deliver and evaluate training and education packages for individuals and groups in a variety of settings.
• Evidence of critically appraising research and audits and applying the findings to practice.
• Demonstrate a wide range of communication skills to address complex needs of patients and their families.
• Ability to participate in strategic thinking and development, ensuring this translates to practice development to improve the quality of care.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of issues in health care/speciality.
• Clinical Psychologist
• Working with people in Crisis.
• Working on an in-patient Psychiatric ward.

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.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Newton Lodge and Bretton Centre, Fieldhead Hospital

Newton Lodge and Bretton Centre, Fieldhead Hospital