Senior Psychologist (equivalent to NHS afc 8a)

NHS; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in Bristol seeks a Senior Psychologist to enhance support for individuals facing multiple disadvantages. The role involves collaboration with a specialist team, providing trauma-informed care, and influencing systemic change through innovative practices. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in psychological training and supervision, ensuring the delivery of high-quality support in line with best practices.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with trauma histories and complex needs.
• Significant experience providing supervision.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver training.

Responsibilities

• Support staff in developing psychological understandings of service users.
• Collaborate with partners to develop proposals through the MTAM Exchange.
• Contribute to policy reviews integrating safeguarding principles.

Skills

Trauma-Informed Principles

Psychological Formulation

Group Facilitation

Job description

Senior Psychologist (equivalent to NHS afc 8a)

Changing Futures is a resource for Bristol. Our aim is to create sustainable change at individual, service & system levels and influence government policy & local commissioning. In line with Bristol's Multiple Disadvantage Strategy, this role will be integral to embedding My Team Around Me across Bristol as the way of supporting those most in need of coordinated multi-agency support.

Main duties of the job

The role will work collaboratively with the team manager to develop and support a specialist team providing system partners with the expertise to respond to identified clients using the My Team Around Me (MTAM) approach. They will have considerable experience of inspiring innovation, building skills and confidence, and ensuring that support is delivered through trauma-informed principles, equality, diversity and inclusion, and co-production. This will be achieved through clinical supervision, reflective practice, formulation, coaching, and training. The successful applicant will identify system change opportunities, ensuring that learning is used to inform structural and systemic changes through the local human learning system, the MTAM Exchange, and targeted initiatives.

About us

Second Step is the lead agency, in partnership with other organisations chosen by Bristol City Council, to deliver the MHCLG Changing Futures programme in Bristol. Our mission is to support people experiencing multiple disadvantages, including discrimination, homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health issues, substance misuse, and contact with the criminal justice system.

Job responsibilities

Support staff and system colleagues in developing psychological understandings of service users with complex needs. This includes participating in case review meetings, using psychological formulation to inform safety plans, and providing consultation during crisis situations, all grounded in trauma-informed principles. Collaborate with system partners to develop proposals through the MTAM Exchange, bringing a psychological perspective to support learning and system change. Contribute to policy and procedure reviews, ensuring safeguarding policies, PAT principles, and intersectionality are integrated into key meetings and initiatives.

Person Specification

Experience

• Extensive experience working with individuals with trauma histories, including personality disorder traits, multiple disadvantages, mental health issues, substance misuse, forensic histories, and homelessness. Skilled in trauma-informed formulation and adaptation strategies.
• Significant experience providing supervision.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver psychological and trauma-informed training to diverse audiences.
• Experience in group facilitation, reflective practice, and training development.
• Autonomous working across services, offering consultation and influencing support networks to create systemic change.
• Experience in evaluation and audit processes.
• Experience working in NHS settings (PCLS, primary, secondary, inpatient).
• Experience within the voluntary sector.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This position is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Applicants will need to undergo a DBS check to verify any criminal convictions.