Location
Preston, England
Salary
£66,582 - £77,368 per annum, pro rata
Profession
Psychologist
Grade
Band 8
Deadline
21 Oct 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
07 Oct 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job requirements

Essential

8 listed

Requirements the employer expects applicants to meet.

  • Knowledge

    Doctoral level knowledge of clinical psychology including highly developed knowledge of lifespan developmental psychology, models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology and two or more distinct psychological therapies.

  • Knowledge

    Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis as practiced within the field of clinical psychology.

  • Knowledge

    Knowledge of legislation and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management in relation to the client group and mental health.

  • Experience

    Evidence of substantial post-qualification experience.

  • Experience

    Demonstrable experience of conducting complex audit, research and service evaluation.

  • Experience

    Experience of teaching, training and professional and clinical supervision.

  • Qualifications

    Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS.

  • Qualifications

    Professional Registration with appropriate professional body (HCPC registered as a clinical Psychologist)

Desirable

Not listed in the available specification.

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate and forward-thinking Principal Clinical Psychologist to join our Children and Young People’s Mental Health service in West Lancashire. This is an excellent opportunity to take a senior clinical role within a comprehensive multidisciplinary team, helping us deliver high-quality, formulation-led and evidence-based care to children and young people, their families and carers.

You will bring highly specialist clinical expertise alongside the confidence to provide leadership, consultation and supervision across the service. Working autonomously within professional guidelines, you will also play an important part in clinical governance, service improvement, research, audit and the development of psychological practice across the locality

Main duties of the job

As Principal Clinical Psychologist, you will:

  • provide highly specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for children and young people with complex needs;
  • draw on evidence-based models and specialist therapies, which may include CBT, systemic approaches and EMDR;
  • undertake and advise on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management;
  • offer specialist advice, consultation and clinical leadership to multidisciplinary and multi-agency colleagues;
  • contribute to care planning and, where appropriate, act as care coordinator;
  • provide clinical and professional supervision to qualified and assistant psychologists, psychological therapists and colleagues from the wider MDT;
  • support trainee clinical psychology placements and contribute to teaching, training and workforce development;
  • help oversee the governance and quality of psychological and therapeutic provision, including outcomes monitoring, professional development and job planning; and
  • lead and contribute to research, audit, service evaluation, policy development and improvement work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

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.

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Principal Clinical Psychologist with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in Preston, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £66,582 - £77,368 per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 21 Oct 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (07 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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