CYP Principal Clinical Psychologist

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate and forward thinking Principal Clinical Psychologist to join our well established CYPMHS service, working with children and young people aged 0–18 across our Crewe and Winsford footprint.

This is a senior clinical leadership role for an experienced psychologist who is passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people and families with complex emotional and mental health needs. You will provide expert psychological assessment, formulation and intervention, alongside strategic clinical leadership, supervision and service development.

Our service is ambitious, values psychological thinking at its core and is committed to continuous learning, innovation and compassionate care. You will work closely with skilled and motivated colleagues, influence service delivery at a locality and system level and play a key role in shaping high‑quality, evidence‑based practice aligned with national priorities.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to young people’s lives, while working within a supportive, reflective and values‑driven organisation that actively invests in CPD, professional development and psychological leadership.

If you are motivated by complexity, collaboration and meaningful impact, this is a role where your expertise will be valued, your voice heard and your leadership will matter.

Job-sharing arrangements may be considered for this position.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking applicants with experience of, or a strong interest in, working with children and young people aged 0–18 who present with a range of mental health difficulties, often alongside additional psychological needs such as neurodiversity, trauma and complex risk. Applicants should demonstrate enthusiasm, compassion and optimism, with a clear commitment to improving outcomes and quality of life for children, young people and their families.

The successful candidate will provide specialist psychological assessment, including complex formulation at individual, family and systemic levels, delivering evidence‑based psychological interventions both directly and indirectly. The role includes providing clinical supervision, consultation multidisciplinary colleagues.

The post holder will work within an integrated, innovative and psychologically minded CYPMHS team, where psychological approaches are highly valued and central to service delivery.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see ‘documents to download’ section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.