Senior Psychologist

NHS Jobs; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA Robin Hood Group in Newark, Notts, is seeking a Senior Psychologist to lead the Clinical Services team, delivering assessments, therapy, and staff training in childrens homes and associated services. The post requires HCPC registration, a Doctorate in a relevant psychology field, and experience with trauma-informed care for looked-after children.

The role is based at the main office in Newark with regular travel across Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

Qualifications

• Doctorate (or equivalent) in Clinical Psychology / Counselling Psychology / Forensic Psychology.
• Post-Doctorate training and development in modalities such as CBT, DBT, DDP, PACE, EMDR etc.
• Registered / accredited with the HCPC.
• Full driving licence and willingness to drive Association vehicles.
• Willingness to undergo a DBS check and to register with the DBS Update Service.
• Knowledge of residential child care and social care legislation, Government guidance and best practice.
• High level working knowledge of Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Experience and/or knowledge of at least 2 therapeutic models / clinical models relevant to working with children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Lead the clinical services team and ensure high-quality assessments and therapy for looked-after children.
• Deliver the YMCA RHG schools wellbeing programme and other therapeutic programs.
• Manage and motivate the Clinical Services team maintaining professional standards and supervision.

Skills

Clinical psychology

Team leadership

Child safeguarding

Education

Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychology

Job description

At YMCA Robin Hood Group, we provide warm, loving, Ofsted registered homes across the East Midlands and Yorkshire where the children in our care receive the therapeutic care they need to heal and thrive.

As a not-for-profit organisation, children are always our priority.

Our unique, trauma-informed, therapeutic care model sets us apart, putting well-being before profit every time.

We are seeking a Senior Psychologist to join our in-house team. You will be instrumental in ensuring the children in our care receive the highest level of support but also support our staff by delivering training and supervision to ensure their well-being and growth.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a passionate, values-led Senior Psychologist to join our childrens residential care service, to provide a high-quality therapeutic and psychological service to children in our homes. Due to the unique nature of our work, this role would suit someone from an education, counselling or forensic psychology background.

The primary purpose of this role will be to promote the mental health, safety and wellbeing of children in our care.

Key aspects of the role are supporting our teams to recognise and address the needs of children in our care through consultation, reflective practice, training and development and providing therapeutic support to young people where appropriate.

Whilst this role is primarily within the Childrens Residential Service, you will also lead on a really exciting pilot project with a local secondary school to support young people with their mental health and wellbeing. We hope this will lead to further projects where we can replicate this programme with other schools, benefiting more young people in our local community.

About us

Our Clinical Services team work relentlessly to provide looked-afterchildren the therapeutic care they need to recover, grow and thrive.

We work with compassion and dedication to create anddeliver nurturing clinical care, with homes, environments and support thatenable children to build connections, discover their strengths and shape theirown futures.

We also extend our services across the organisationand with local partners to support the overall wellbeing and mental health ofchildren and young people.

We recognise each child as an individual, with theirown interests, challenges and ways of understanding the world. Our departmentmeets children where they are and provides the psychologically informed carethat they need to grow their capabilities and engage and contribute to theworld around them.

If you are driven by the empowerment and childrenwho have faced significant trauma - and are committed to unlocking theirdevelopment and wellbeing - this is where your work can make life-changingimpact.

YMCA Values, North Star and Ethos

To support and embody ourgroup values: We Serve, We Inspire, We Welcome, We Seek Out and We Speak Out.To work with dedication towards our shared North Star strategy, for thepositive development of all children and young people.

Job responsibilities

Department -Clinical Services

Responsible to -Chief OperatingOfficer

Location -Based at our main office in Newark, with regular travel between ourlocations across Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire and on occasion, country wide(with ability to drive and access to own vehicle)

Hours -37.5 hours per week (additional hours, weekend and bank holiday working maybe required to fulfil requirements of the post)

Salary -£67,000 per year

Job Purpose

The Senior Psychologist leads the clinical servicesteam. The team primarily provides assessment and therapy for children andconsultation and training for care teams in childrens homes. The team also promotesa trauma-informed approach in supported housing services and other YMCA servicesand delivers a schools wellbeing service.

OverallResponsibilities:

• Responsible for managing andcontinuing to develop clinical services in therapeutic childrens residentialcare, ensuring high-quality assessments, therapy and therapeutic care ofchildren in our care. This is delivered directly by the clinical services team,and indirectly through consultation with and training of care teams
• Delivery of the schools wellbeingprogramme, and any other therapeutic programs aligned to YMCA RHG'sobjectives
• People management responsibility for thepsychologists and therapists in the Clinical Services team

Principal Clinical, Strategic & Operational Responsibilities:

• Responsible and accountable for theclinical care provided by the YMCA Robin Hood Group (YMCA RHG)
• Lead the development of effectiveclinical governance within the YMCA RHG, including clinical audit, complaintsmanagement, policy writing and other quality assurance measures across theentire organisation
• Provide operational management to theclinical services team, undertaking regular one to ones, setting clearobjectives, monitoring progress, ensuring appropriate cover, ensuring thedelivery of a high-quality service, whilst acting as a role model anddemonstrating strong leadership
• Be responsible for workforce planningincluding recruitment and selection and retention within clinical services
• Take responsibility for theprofessional education, development, and training of all clinical staff andother staff requiring clinical support
• Maintain, develop, and nurture thecurrent therapeutic and psychological services within Childrens ResidentialCare and Supported Housing, including oversight of and direct involvement inpsychological assessments, placing and matching new referrals, interventions,clinical reflections and consultations to the care teams, and other associatedduties
• Support the development of newservices within Childrens Residential Care offering new therapeuticenvironments and homes, as well as additional therapeutic services for thecommunity and other areas of the business
• Deliver the YMCA RHG schoolswellbeing programme, empowering school staff to use a trauma-informed approachto support children
• Raise the profile of YMCA RHGResidential Services and Clinical Services among the wider community andprofessional communities, providing the highest standards of care andopportunities for shared learning and development
• Ensure that effective systems are inplace to continuously review and evaluate services and to plan for improvementsin relation to the Ofsted inspections and Childrens Homes Regulations, and anyother regulatory bodies and requirements (including but not limited to HCPC,BACP, UKCP services or accreditations and any future CQC registration)
• Work closely with psychologists,therapists, mental health professionals, and operational professionals withinour services and embed a trauma informed approach across our services,including development of further support for our staff
• Devise and deliver training andworkshops to staff across the organisation.
• Represent YMCA RHG at sector/regional/nationalevents
• Take the lead role for clinical riskmanagement, ensuring policies and practices comply with legislation and qualitystandards
• Facilitate a culture of learningthroughout the services

Legal Framework

Workwithin the parameters of the HCPC, the Childrens Home Regulations (England)2015, the Childrens Act 1989/2004, Care Standards Act 2000, Health &Safety at Work Act 1974, Equality Act 2010 and associated guidance includingWorking Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and Every Child Matters.

Line Management Responsibility

Allmembers of the Clinical Services team including psychologists and/or therapists.

Responsibilities for all Staff, Casual Workers, and Managers

To act as an advocate and ambassador of the group; promoting and exemplifyingthe groups values, mission, vision, and ethos and to positively andproactively protect the groups reputation.

Other Duties

To undertake any otherduties and responsibilities as may be assigned by your Line Manager. To work ina flexible way to ensure that workload is completed and to undertake any otherjobs commensurate with the seniority of the post.

Discretion to Act

To exercise discretionin the performance of the duties of the post, to use best practice and toensure the effective and efficient use of resources.

Relationships and Confidentiality

To establish, maintainand enhance team-working with colleagues and staff of the group and to keepconfidential all information about individuals and the business of the group.Any breach of confidentiality will be treated seriously and may lead to dismissal.

Health and Safety

To adhere to the groups Healthand Safety policies at all times.

Our Values

Charactercounts. We are committed to building teams of staff and volunteers who shareour uncompromising dedication to supporting one another and our community.

We Seek Out

We never stop looking for ways to transform lives for the better.

We Welcome

Werespect, support, and protect without fail. Everyone is included, and everyonebelongs.

We Inspire

Webuild and rebuild peoples confidence in their own strength, and fosterconviction in everyones potential.

We Speak Out

Westand up for whats right, advocate when needed, and encourage people to findthe power of their own voice.

We Serve Others

Weare committed to the wellbeing of others in mind, body and spirit, and to fairand equitable opportunities for all.

Our North Star

• Have the developmental relationships and closeconnections that help them discover who they are
• Develop the strengths and abilities to shapetheir own lives
• Learn how to engage with and contribute to theworld around them

Our North Star

An expression of our YMCAs mission, vision and values. Every teamwithin our YMCA is united under one shared ambition our North Star.We will work relentlessly to ensure all children and young people:

• Have the developmental relationships and closeconnections that help them discover who they are
• Develop the strengths and abilities to shapetheir own lives
• Learn how to engage with and contribute to theworld around them

YMCA Robin Hood Group iscommitted to promoting diversity and practicing equality of opportunityalongside ensuring the protection of children and adults at risk. A completed application form will be required during the recruitment process and will be crosschecked against the CV provided. Any discrepancies or gaps in employmentwill require verification as part of the offer process. The recruitment processaims to create and maintain a safe workforce and contains robust vettingprocedures. The successful applicants will be appointed subject to references,relevant DBS check and other pre-employment checks. To be successful in yourapplication, you will be subject to a rigorous safer recruitment process andmust adhere to a strict code of conduct regarding your behaviour at all times.

All positions are subject tosubject to references, relevant DBS check and other pre-employment checks.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Doctorate (or equivalent) in Clinical Psychology / Counselling Psychology / Forensic Psychology.
• Post-Doctorate training and development in specific modalities such as CBT, DBT, DDP, PACE, EMDR etc.
• Registered / accredited with a professional body e.g. HCPC.
• Full driving licence and willingness to drive Association vehicles as and when required.
• Willingness to undergo a satisfactory enhanced DBS check and to register with the DBS Update Service OR hold a satisfactory enhanced DBS check for the correct workforce plus existing registration for the DBS Update Service.
• Knowledge of relevant residential child care and social care Legislation, Government Guidance and Best Practice.
• High level working knowledge of Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
• Experience and/or knowledge of at least 2 therapeutic models / clinical models that are relevant to working with children and young people.
• Qualified psychologist in a relevant field, with post-qualification experience of working with children and young people ideally with experience in residential/housing/social care settings.
• Demonstrable experience of managing and motivating a team.
• Able to demonstrate experience dealing with complex issues relating to developmental trauma, childhood abuse, and safeguarding.
• Demonstrable experience using outcome measures, evaluation and service improvement.
• Experience of managing clinical audits, evidence based practice and research, and quality assurance.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision.
• Understanding health and social care needs of looked after children, complexities of network and systems for children and families, and individualised care needs.
• Ability to undertake comprehensive psychological assessment and formulation of needs for children, and then formulate individualised treatment / intervention plans.
• Knowledge of relevant residential child care and social care Legislation, Government Guidance and Best Practice.
• High level working knowledge of Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
• Experience and/or knowledge of at least 2 therapeutic models / clinical models that are relevant to working with children and young people.

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.

YMCA Newark & Sherwood Community & Activity Village

YMCA Newark & Sherwood Community & Activity Village