Job summary
We are seeking a skilled, experienced, and innovative Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join our Adult Community Mental Health Service, specialising in the care of individuals facing severe and enduring mental health challenges. We warmly welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds in adult mental health settings, and value the breadth of experience they bring.
In this pivotal role, you will contribute to the delivery of trauma-informed psychological care through direct clinical work, providing assessments, formulations, and both individual and group interventions as well as through indirect support via consultation, supervision, and training.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be at the forefront of implementing the Community Mental Health Framework, actively breaking down traditional barriers to care. Our expanded mental health workforce ensures timely, accessible, and person-centred interventions. As the first Trust nationally to train a cohort of Clinical Associate Psychologists (CAPs), we are committed to developing a progressive and inclusive psychological service.
This role is ideal for a psychologist who thrives in a forward-thinking, collaborative environment and is passionate about shaping the future of community mental health care.
Main duties of the job
In this role, you will:
- Deliver specialist psychological assessments, formulations, and evidence-based interventions (individual and group).
- Provide consultation, supervision, and training to multidisciplinary colleagues.
- Support trauma-informed care and contribute to service development and transformation.
- Collaborate across primary care networks, voluntary sector partners, and community enterprises.
- Supervise Clinical Associate Psychologists (CAPs) and trainees, contributing to the growth of our innovative workforce.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a registered HCPC psychologist, you will work with adults and older adults experiencing complex mental health challenges, often alongside physical health conditions. You'll bring your clinical expertise to:
- Offer high-quality psychological care, including risk assessments and therapeutic interventions.
- Lead service development initiatives and contribute to strategic planning.
- Promote evidence-based practice aligned with NICE guidelines.
- Engage in research, audit, and evaluation to enhance service quality.
- Foster a culture of learning through supervision, teaching, and mentorship.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a registered HCPC psychologist, you will work with adults and older adults experiencing complex mental health challenges, often alongside physical health conditions. You'll bring your clinical expertise to:
- Offer high-quality psychological care, including risk assessments and therapeutic interventions.
- Lead service development initiatives and contribute to strategic planning.
- Promote evidence-based practice aligned with NICE guidelines.
- Engage in research, audit, and evaluation to enhance service quality.
- Foster a culture of learning through supervision, teaching, and mentorship.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered with HCPC
- Qualified Clinical / Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin. Psychol or equivalent) & eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status in the British Psychological Society.
- Further training or experience in clinical specialism
Desirable
- Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in adult mental health services and working with people with severe and complex mental health needs.
- Experience of teaching/training and supervision.
- Experience of working with complex trauma and with systems working around people who have experience trauma
Desirable
- Experience of neuropsychological assessment and awareness of impact of neuropsychological symptoms on presentation
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
- Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of clinical psychology
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered with HCPC
- Qualified Clinical / Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin. Psychol or equivalent) & eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status in the British Psychological Society.
- Further training or experience in clinical specialism
Desirable
- Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in adult mental health services and working with people with severe and complex mental health needs.
- Experience of teaching/training and supervision.
- Experience of working with complex trauma and with systems working around people who have experience trauma
Desirable
- Experience of neuropsychological assessment and awareness of impact of neuropsychological symptoms on presentation
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance in order to travel throughout the Trust, to meet the needs of the service.
- Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of clinical psychology
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
