Principal Clinical Psychologist

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, empathic and optimistic Principal Clinical Psychologist to work within the locality Forensic Services.  The Service consist of three wards; two inpatient secure wards for men with complex mental health and risk patterns and one inpatient step down mental health service. At the current time, the team are at the exciting stage of developing a new model of care for one of the secure wards. The wards are integrated with community based forensic in reach and outreach services.

The post is offered as a permanent 8B position for a senior and experienced Clinical Psychologist,

The team provides multiple opportunities to access CPD training options in differing formats and is valued by the service. There will be very supportive and close links to the other Clinical Psychologists and Psychological Practitioners across the trust and region including others in senior roles and in particular Clinical Psychologists within Forensic, Mental health/complex care, Step Down and Learning Disability services.

The Soss Moss site has excellent spacious office and meeting facilities. The site also benefits from free parking facilities and a nature trail which is used by all parties to enjoy the rural nature of the locality.

Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 24/04/2026 and the proposed interview date is 01/05/2026

Main duties of the job

We are looking for applicants who have an interest in or experience of working with people with mental health difficulties and potentially other additional psychological needs such as neurodiversity; all of whom will have significant risk histories. Applicants should demonstrate enthusiasm, compassion and optimism for the recovery and increased quality of life of the service user group.

The successful candidate will provide in depth psychological assessments (including structured professional judgement tools), individual and systemic formulations, evidence based specialised psychological interventions (direct and indirect), and clinical supervision and training to internal and external agencies. The successful applicant will be working alongside an integrated enthusiastic and innovative multi-disciplinary staff teams who are fully supportive of psychological approaches.

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: [email protected] 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!