Clinical Psychologist CYP Eating Disorders

Job summary

To be professionally, accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work and follow guidance as set out by HCPC. To manage complex cases using advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and analysis to support assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning. To ensure that all service users are treated based on evidence-based practice and nationally agreed standards. To provide specialised training to health professionals in line with the service objectives. To attend multidisciplinary team meetings as required. To attend management and clinical supervision sessions as per the NELFT Supervision and Appraisal Policy. Specialist Clinical Skills To act as an autonomous, registered practitioner who is legally and professionally accountable for own unsupervised actions guided by the professional code of conduct and Trust guidelines and protocols. The post holder will be fully registered with the appropriate professional or regulatory body (e.g. HCPC). To be responsible, and accountable, for service delivery to clients/patients. To be able to assess and develop plans of care to meet the complex needs of patients with ARFID. This includes chronic, acute and palliative care within own competencies, recognising own limitations and seeking advice when necessary. This will include continuously evaluating and acting on outcomes.

Main duties of the job

To provide teaching and training workshops in ARFID. To participate in the development and maintenance of the eating disorder reference library for the use of all NELFT and local agency staff To act as mentor to students, providing effective education, facilitating their development and promoting high standards of care Ensure students are actively supported to enable them to achieve their learning needs To ensure own continued professional development and support a culture of lifelong learning in self and others To undertake, and assist, in the planning of own mandatory training and workshops To undertake a regular appraisal, developing a personal development plan that includes clinical competencies reflecting the health needs of the local population and relates to Trust strategy To support new staff and their integration within the team To support training as part of the role including changes to professional development and implementation of new policies and guidelines

About us

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex. We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.

Details

• Date posted: 06 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8a
• Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: OHC-3LCY-002168
• Job locations: Orchard Health Centre, Barking, Greater London, IG11 7RS, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Psychologist & ARFID Pathway Lead NELFT CYP Community Eating Disorder Service

An exciting opportunity to shape and lead a brand-new ARFID service from the ground up.

Are you an experienced Psychologist with a passion for eating disorders and improving outcomes for children and young people?

Would you relish the opportunity to lead the development of a newly commissioned ARFID pathway, while working alongside an established, specialist and supportive CYP Community Eating Disorder Service?

If so, we would love to hear from you.

This is an exciting time to join NELFT CYP CEDS. We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Psychologist to take a lead role in establishing our new Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) service, working closely with senior colleagues and the core CYP CEDS team.

You will have a genuine opportunity to shape how this service develops, ensuring that children, young people and their families receive high-quality, evidence-based and compassionate care.

The North East London NHS Foundation Trust Community Eating Disorder Service provides the latest evidence-based, NICE-compliant psychological interventions to clients and their families living with an eating disorder.

One of the strengths of our service is our ability to provide specialist assessment and treatment across the lifespan, from age 8 with no upper age limit.

Our multidisciplinary approach is central to the way we work. We bring together different professional perspectives to provide holistic assessment, formulation and treatment, supporting both our service users and their families.

As Psychologist and ARFID Pathway Lead, you will be instrumental in establishing and developing this exciting new service, supported by experienced senior colleagues within the core CYP CEDS team.

This is more than an opportunity to join an existing pathway.

You will help build it.

As ARFID Pathway Lead, you will:

• Lead the development of the new ARFID treatment pathway
• Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention
• Work closely with the multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality care
• Develop robust triage and assessment processes
• Ensure interventions reflect the latest evidence base
• Build strong links with the core CYP CEDS service
• Bring innovation and specialist knowledge to the development of the pathway
• Ensure the service responds effectively to the needs of children, young people and their caregivers
• Support the development of the ARFID team and contribute to a positive clinical culture
• Set and maintain high standards of clinical practice

This is an ideal role for someone who wants to combine clinical expertise, leadership and service development.

We are looking for an experienced Psychologist who is passionate about providing excellent treatment to children and young people with ARFID.

You will have a strong interest in eating disorders and the specialist knowledge and skills required to work confidently with this client group.

Previous experience in eating disorders is essential.

You will be someone who:

• Has strong clinical expertise in eating disorders
• Is confident working within a multidisciplinary environment
• Can provide strong clinical leadership
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for CYP with ARFID
• Enjoys developing and improving services
• Can work creatively and innovatively
• Sets high clinical standards while supporting colleagues
• Values collaborative working with children, young people and their families

Working within an eating disorder service provides the opportunity to develop your expertise across a wide range of complex and co-occurring presentations.

You will have the opportunity to work with presentations including:

Autism | Depression | Anxiety | Personality Disorders | Eating Disorders

We provide supervision and training to support your continued professional development and help you build on your existing specialist skills.

The post holder will operate within recognised professional guidelines and the overall framework of NELFT eating disorder service policies and procedures.

• Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology
• Advanced knowledge and skills in eating disorders
• Experience of working within CYP CEDS
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for service users’ psychological care and treatment within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan
• Experience of assessing and treating service users across the full range of care settings
• Leadership experience

We want you to feel welcomed, supported and prepared from day one.

All new starters join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks.

Your induction includes:

• Mandatory training
• Systems training
• Allocation of equipment
• Opportunities to meet the executive team and senior managers
• Drop-in sessions focused on engagement, health and wellbeing
• Key processes and support available across the Trust

The induction takes place at our head office in Goodmayes, Essex.

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period, unless they are currently part way through a probationary period or are currently a bank member of staff.

Barking & Dagenham | Redbridge | Havering | Waltham Forest

This post attracts a 15% High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) on the basic salary, with a minimum of £4,870 and a maximum of £6,137 per annum, pro rata for part-time staff.

Joining #TeamNELFT means becoming part of a welcoming, supportive and compassionate working environment.

We are CQC rated Good and are committed to continuing our journey towards an Outstanding rating.

NELFT provides community and mental healthcare services to adults and children across North East London and Essex.

We are proud of our commitment to our people and our culture. We have:

Award-winning equality and diversity initiatives Staff health and wellbeing activities Significant investment in staff development Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status Recognition in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation Staff networks and training opportunities supporting an inclusive workplace

We believe that when our staff feel valued, supported and empowered, they can provide the highest quality care to our patients.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a brand-new ARFID service, provide specialist clinical leadership and make a meaningful difference to children, young people and their families.

If you are an experienced Psychologist with eating disorder expertise and the ambition to lead, innovate and develop a service, we would love to hear from you.

Come and help us build something new.

Join NELFT and help shape the future of ARFID care.