Job summary
Welcome! We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic HCPC-accredited Clinical Psychologist to join our county-wide Somerset Paediatric Psychological Therapies Service (SPPTS). We are a small, passionate, friendly and highly valued team working across the beautiful county of Somerset.
This role offers the opportunity to work closely with specialist paediatric consultants and allied health professionals, delivering high-quality psychological care to children, young people and their families. You will be involved in evidence-based psychological, developmental and neuropsychological assessments, complex formulations, individual and family-based interventions, and group work.
You will also provide consultation and recommendations to professional colleagues and external agencies, including facilitating staff support and reflective practice. The post is suitable for experienced clinicians and newly qualified psychologists on a preceptorship basis.
This is a county-wide role and will require travel across Somerset to various Trust sites and community settings. Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance is essential.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver specialist psychological assessments and interventions for children and young people with chronic, life-limiting and life-threatening health conditions.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across acute and community settings.
- Provide consultation, supervision and reflective practice to colleagues across health, education and social care.
- Contribute to service development, research, and audit activities.
- Maintain high standards of clinical record keeping and data management.
- Participate in regional and national networks to support service improvement.
- Engage in CPD and professional leadership opportunities.
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
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Conduct psychological, developmental and neuropsychological assessments.
- Formulate and deliver individualised treatment plans using a range of therapeutic approaches.
- Provide direct therapeutic services to children, young people and families.
- Offer specialist advice and consultation to NHS and external professionals.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and contribute to care planning.
Service Development & Research:
- Support the development and evaluation of service policies and pathways.
- Undertake audits and contribute to research projects.
- Promote evidence-based practice and innovative approaches to therapy.
Supervision & Leadership:
- Supervise assistant psychologists, trainees and junior staff as appropriate.
- Facilitate reflective practice and staff support sessions.
- Receive regular clinical supervision and engage in peer support.
Administrative & IT Duties:
- Use Trust systems for record keeping, data analysis, and communication.
- Prepare reports and presentations for clinical and training purposes.
- Maintain accurate documentation in line with professional and Trust standards.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Conduct psychological, developmental and neuropsychological assessments.
- Formulate and deliver individualised treatment plans using a range of therapeutic approaches.
- Provide direct therapeutic services to children, young people and families.
- Offer specialist advice and consultation to NHS and external professionals.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and contribute to care planning.
Service Development & Research:
- Support the development and evaluation of service policies and pathways.
- Undertake audits and contribute to research projects.
- Promote evidence-based practice and innovative approaches to therapy.
Supervision & Leadership:
- Supervise assistant psychologists, trainees and junior staff as appropriate.
- Facilitate reflective practice and staff support sessions.
- Receive regular clinical supervision and engage in peer support.
Administrative & IT Duties:
- Use Trust systems for record keeping, data analysis, and communication.
- Prepare reports and presentations for clinical and training purposes.
- Maintain accurate documentation in line with professional and Trust standards.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current HCPC registration for Clinical Psychologist.
- Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology, as accredited by the BPS and HCPC.
Desirable
- Training in specific approach for trauma (e.g. EMDR)
- Training in clinical supervision
- Specialist CPD/training in related to paediatric psychology
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention with children, young people and families.
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team, preferably in a paediatric or health setting, and representing psychology.
- Experience of conducting and managing risk assessments and implementing appropriate risk management plans in the context of psychological and/or emotional difficulties.
- Experience of working with other agencies, e.g. social care.
- Experience in delivering psychological therapies that are culturally sensitive, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of children, young people, and families from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with medical/chronic physical health conditions across a range of severity and presentations.
- Experience of teaching or training others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current HCPC registration for Clinical Psychologist.
- Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology, as accredited by the BPS and HCPC.
Desirable
- Training in specific approach for trauma (e.g. EMDR)
- Training in clinical supervision
- Specialist CPD/training in related to paediatric psychology
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention with children, young people and families.
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team, preferably in a paediatric or health setting, and representing psychology.
- Experience of conducting and managing risk assessments and implementing appropriate risk management plans in the context of psychological and/or emotional difficulties.
- Experience of working with other agencies, e.g. social care.
- Experience in delivering psychological therapies that are culturally sensitive, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of children, young people, and families from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with medical/chronic physical health conditions across a range of severity and presentations.
- Experience of teaching or training others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Access to regular transport with appropriate business insurance
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).
