Consultant Clinical / Applied Psychologist Workforce Development Lead

Job overview

CNWL is seeking to appoint an innovative and highly skilled clinical or applied psychologist with a strong interest in working at an organisational and strategic level to continue to support the development of the Psychological Professions Workforce.

We are seeking an experienced psychologist to work alongside the Chief Psychologist, Director of Therapies and other senior colleagues to continue to lead and shape this exciting and important programme of work, at a time of rapid change and development across the wider health and care system.

We value equality, diversity and inclusion, and strongly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised backgrounds. The Psychological Professions Workforce Team is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment and welcomes applications from all candidates who share our values and ambition for the future of psychological professions within the NHS.

This role will suit a psychologist with:

• Strong leadership and influencing skills • Experience or interest in workforce development, organisational psychology or system-level change • A collaborative and values‑driven approach • A commitment to inclusivity, innovation and excellence in psychological practice

Main duties of the job

To lead, plan and manage the delivery of Workforce Development strategic objectives for the Psychological Professions at CNWL including:

• Psychological Professions Workforce Development – Engagement and identity – Professional and career development – Clinical practice and leadership development – Recruitment and retention strategies
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (workforce and practice)
• Innovation, digital and AI
• Links with training programmes
• NHSE trainee data validation
• NHSE training funding streams

The postholder will provide leadership to ensure that CNWL’s psychological professions workforce is supported, valued and enabled to deliver excellent services, and that the contribution of psychological professions is well recognised and respected across the organisation.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To regularly report on the progress of these plans, and any associated risks, to the Trust Chief Psychologist and relevant stakeholders, including through formal programme board meetings.
• To incorporate Trust, regional and national priorities into the team’s objectives, along with relevant developments from professional bodies and other organisations.
• To disseminate and use workforce and other relevant data to inform planning and evaluation.
• To act as Course Lead for the 21st Century Leadership Programme for Psychological Professions.
• To manage the day‑to‑day operation of the Psychological Professions Workforce Team.
• To contribute to creating a psychologically safe and anti‑discriminatory environment in which staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds can flourish.
• To line manage and supervise the Deputy Workforce Development Lead and Assistant Psychologist.
• To provide a placement and supervision for trainee clinical psychologists.
• To maintain a strong focus on collaboration and co‑production across workstreams, ensuring all projects understand and reflect the needs and views of service users and staff.
• To develop partnership links and relationships with key external organisations.
• To be accountable to the Trust Chief Psychologist for the development, monitoring and implementation of new ways of working and professional standards within the Psychological Professions.
• To ensure the delivery of research, service evaluation and audits relevant to the workforce projects undertaken in this role.
• To take a lead in developing and evaluating psychological workforce development plans across the Trust.
• To communicate as required with staff within the organisation and with external partners, such as local universities, other education providers, professional groups, partner NHS and other services, and colleagues across the Trust, including Education, People Services and Allied Health Professionals’ Heads of Profession.