Specialist Psychologist/Psychological Therapist/Psychotherapist

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a Specialist Psychologist to join their Parenting Well with Psychosis Project. This role requires providing psychological support to parents facing mental health challenges. Responsibilities include delivering group interventions and ensuring culturally sensitive practices. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in mental health and experience working with diverse communities. The position offers a salary between £56,276 and £63,176, with flexible work patterns available.

Qualifications

• Core mental health professional qualification is essential.
• Experience working with diverse communities is important.
• Demonstrable competence in NHS mental health practices will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment and interventions for parents.
• Engage confidently with parents facing significant challenges.
• Contribute to culturally-sensitive frameworks in healthcare.

Skills

Communication

Assessment and treatment

Cultural sensitivity

Consultation

Education

Recognised qualification in a core mental health profession

Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy

Post-qualification training in relevant clinical interests

Job description

Specialist Psychologist/Psychological Therapist/Psychotherapist

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 04 January 2026

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Band 7 clinician to join the Parenting Well with Psychosis Project (PWP), a 3‑year partnership funded by the Maudsley Charity as part of their Living Well with Psychosis Programme. This is a new, exciting opportunity to make a difference and shape future service delivery.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist psychological assessment and interventions for parents experiencing mental illness, including psychosis, within the Helping Families Team.
• Engage confidently with parents who have significant mental health difficulties and extensive service histories.
• Contribute to culturally‑sensitive frameworks to ensure Black and other communities are invited to contribute meaningfully to the project.
• Build supportive, connected, facilitative, influential and purposeful partnerships with families, colleagues and multi‑agencies.
• Assess, manage clinical risk, and safeguard children and adults.
• Deliver specialist co‑led parenting group interventions.
• Promote psychological support for carers (or families) of referred clients.
• Contribute to service evaluation, audit and research.
• Report to the Maudsley Charity and stakeholders.

About us

Maudsley Hospital (headquarters) hosts the Helping Families Team in the Michael Rutter Centre. Our Trust headquarters is in Denmark Hill, less than five minutes from the train station (zone 2). We provide services across Lambeth, Lewisham, Croydon and Southwark. Early Intervention Services are located in each borough (Lewisham: LEIS; Southwark: STEP; Croydon: COAST; Lambeth: LEO).

Flexible working

Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm with the possibility of early mornings, late evenings or some Saturdays as part of the core pattern. Flexible arrangements can be discussed at interview.

Job responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate a culturally‑sensitive Parenting Well with Psychosis project, working with the Helping Families Team and four Early Intervention services.
• Create partnerships that promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring families from local Black communities are invited to shape the programme.
• Support the development of a Think Family professional training programme focusing on the needs of children and young people impacted by parental mental illness.
• Co‑deliver Being a Parent‑Enjoying Family Life parenting groups – a 10‑week evidence‑based intervention co‑led by peer supporters and clinicians.
• Attend group and individual clinical supervision and team reflective practice sessions.
• Contribute to project evaluation through focus groups, interviews and quantitative measures, fostering integrated care across mental health services.
• Maintain clinical safety, safeguarding, and manage clinical risk in accordance with National and Trust guidance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in a core mental health profession (psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work, occupational therapy) or equivalent relevant experience with demonstrable competence in NHS mental health.
• Entry‑level qualification in applied psychological therapy or equivalent (professional doctorate, MSc plus PG diploma, supervised practice or additional training). (A/I)
• Post‑ or pre‑qualification training in relevant clinical interests: parenting, parental mental health, early intervention psychosis, family intervention. (A/I)

Experience

• Receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs. (A/I)
• Assessment and treatment of clients with complex psychological needs, including psychosis and/or parental mental health. (A/I)
• Experience working with diversity within local communities. (A/I)
• Delivery of therapeutic, evidence‑based groups. (A/I)
• Post‑qualification experience of specialist assessment and intervention for adults with psychosis, mood disorders, personality disorders and/or parents with neurodivergence. (A/I)

Knowledge

• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the treatment of psychosis and/or parental mental health. (A/I/R)
• Deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)
• Knowledge of therapeutic ideas/approaches and systemic models relevant to the discipline. (A/I/R)
• Knowledge of Think Family principles. (A/I)
• Knowledge of evidence‑based Parenting Interventions. (A/I)
• Knowledge of Early Intervention for Psychosis including Family Intervention.

Skills

• Skillful communication of complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues, overcoming barriers such as cultural differences and hostility. (A/I/R)
• Planning and allocating tasks to assistants/trainees appropriately. (A/I/R)
• Consultation skills to work with multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple needs simultaneously. (A/I/R)
• Desire to champion colleagues with lived experience. (A/I)
• Adapt evidence‑based models to individual and community needs. (A/I)

Abilities

• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and hold team roles. (A/I/R)
• Identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance. (A/I/R)
• Work in partnership with clients and colleagues. (A/I)
• Understand and work with marginalised communities and families experiencing grief and trauma. (A/I)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

£56,276 to £63,176 a year inclusive of HCAs