Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Clinical, Counselling or Forensic psychologist to take up a newly created and pivotal role working across our Newsam inpatient ward and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
This is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead the development of new psychological pathways within inpatient services where no previous post holder has been in place. The post holder will play a central role in embedding a psychologically informed approach to care, enhancing outcomes for individuals with complex and acute mental health needs.
The post holder will provide highly specialist psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention to service users within an acute inpatient ward and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
Main duties of the job
Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of a new psychological care pathway across an acute ward and a PICU.
- To contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, and clinical governance ensuring high standards of care.
- Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and interventions for service users presenting with complex, high-risk and acute mental health difficulties within acute inpatient and PICU settings.
- Deliver a range of evidence-based interventions tailored to the needs of an inpatient population.
- Contribute to risk assessment and management working closely with the multidisciplinary team contributing to decision making in highly complex, high risk and uncertain clinical situations.
- Provide consultation, supervision and contribute to multidisciplinary care planning to provide psychological perspective to inform treatment and discharge planning.
- Contribute to the training and development of staff, promoting psychologically informed approaches across the service.
- To uphold equality, diversity and inclusion principles in all aspects of work.
To contribute to development across the acute service pathway as appropriate.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We recruit people based on their values and qualifications (where required) and believe that their lived experience is an advantage, this means that together we are as diverse as the communities we care for. Simply put, when we employ caring people who act with integrity and have the right skills, we can give those with mental health challenges, learning disabilities and neurodiversity high-quality care and support to live fulfilling lives, and make our staff feel purposeful, happy and valued.
All our information is available in accessible formats. Please contact the Recruitment team [email protected]
Attached to this advert is our candidates guide to values-based recruitment and supporting guidance on how to make a successful application.
If you require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Recruitment Team or see the attached candidate guide to reasonable adjustments.
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.
So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Guide to Values Based Recruitment. This document provides you with information to help you apply.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Additional post qualification training evidencing the ability to formulate and deliver interventions using at least 2 different therapeutic models. This can include specialist training in neurodivergence or neuro- assessment.
Values
Desirable
- Tell us about a time when you spotted something small going wrong and did something to stop it becoming a bigger issue.
- Tell us about a time when you realised a colleague or someone you know needed a bit of support and you offered to help.
- Tell us about a time when you showed someone kindness or understanding.
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to offer psychological consultation to other professionals and non-professionals evidencing clinical leadership.
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience in acute/urgent care clinical settings with people with high levels of acuity and risk, including complex assessment (including risk), formulation and interventions.
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctoral level training in Clinical or Counselling Psychology (or equivalent prior to 1996) and HCPC registration OR Doctorate level training in Forensic Psychology with HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
- Formal training in the supervision of other psychological professionals
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Principal Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist with Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Leeds, North East and Yorkshire, 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 29 Jun 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 (15 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job 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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