Job overview
We have an opportunity for an experienced Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to lead the psychology provision across the three teams of the Perinatal Mental Health Service.
We offer a range of therapeutic modalities including CBT, EMDR, Systemic Couples therapy, IPT, CFT, and ACT, and this role would be suitable for applicants interested in transgenerational patterns of trauma, attachment and parent and infant mental health. Our MDT consists of highly skilled, and psychologically minded professionals including Psychiatrists, perinatal mental health nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, peer support workers and nursery nurses. We are accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, highlighting the excellent and specialised care provided by the service.
Our service aims to provide specialist and early help to parents and babies to help with a range of perinatal mental health issues. We are also involved in shaping trauma informed care in the perinatal period and thinking across wider services.
We regularly meet for reflective practice and specialist staff well-being and development are at the heart of our ambitions. We have an active CPD program across the Trust in relation to both clinical and leadership development, as well as a staff resilience hub supporting individuals and teams.
Main duties of the job
Please see JD for full key responsibilities, some of them included here as follows:
- To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of clinical work and care.
- To maintain high standards of care in all areas of practice in accordance with the HCPC Code of Conduct, professional guidelines and Trust Policies and Procedures.
- To act within the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act (2005). To be aware of and implement Safeguarding Adult and Child Protection Policies, Procedures and legislation.
- To plan and deliver a highly specialist psychology service (in leadership or advanced therapy role) and to oversee its clinical governance.
- To lead in the supervision and contribute to Individual Performance Review/Appraisal of psychology staff, as required.
- To ensure that the healthcare needs of people using services are communicated to and work in partnership with service commissioners and other healthcare providers for the best outcomes. To positively contribute to Trust and divisional developments in relation to psychology practice. To advocate and represent the service.
- To be responsible for the development and implementation of appropriate policies, protocols and care pathways.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please check the job description and personal specification document for more information on the requirement for this job.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualification clinical experience in relevant clinical setting
- Experience of leading in clinical practice, service development or project work.
- Experience of supervising trainees, assistant psychologists, qualified clinical/counselling psychologists and others providing psychological therapies
- Experience of implementing change following audit and service evaluation
- Experience of specialist parent–infant interventions (e.g., VIG, VIPP, COSP) to lead on the development of integrated care pathways supporting early bonding and infant mental health
- Substantial experience in the assessment, formulation and treatment of perinatal mental health conditions, including birth trauma, perinatal OCD, perinatal loss, postpartum psychosis, complex trauma and its impact on the perinatal period, and parent–infant relational difficulties.
Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC Registration
- Completion of an appropriate clinical supervision course to enable supervision of trainees
- Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology qualification or equivalent
Desirable
- Additional leadership/management study
- post doctoral qualification in neuropsychology
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Leatherhead, South East, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Psychologist role. The advertised salary is £68,852 - £79,638 Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.. The contract type is 12 months (12 month fixed term). The application deadline is 14 Jul 2026.
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