Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

*MPFT Applicants Only* - Trainee Counselling Psychologist

The closing date is 08 October 2025

Job summary

Open to MPFT Applicants Only

The Intensive Life Skills (ILS) service is looking for a trainee Counselling psychologist to join a progressive, enthusiastic and forward thinking service that supports individuals and their families who are experiencing complex emotional needs in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

You will need to have clear understanding of how multidisciplinary teams function well and be passionate about delivering and developing a quality service to working age adults and their families.

This role will be fundamental in the delivery of therapeutic groups and the development of these in the future. This post will also the opportunity to utilise skills for reviewing and evaluating best practice in regards to 1:1 and group delivered psychological treatment within the service

The post is part time on a fixed term basis for 6 months offering excellent opportunities to develop special professional interests; share expertise and work closely with ILS colleagues. Training, good support and partnership working is offered.

We are a county-wide based team and our operational working hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, with some flexibility when required to engage with our service users

Main duties of the job

To assist with the provision of specialist psychological assessments, formulations and appropriate group and individual interventions.

To effectively write reports and letters to service users, their families and other health care professionals.

To develop skills in formulations using appropriate model(s) of psychological understanding of an individuals need. To communicate this formulation effectively to service users and other professionals involved in their care.

To develop skills in risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and to provide advice to other professions, on psychological aspects of risk assessment, including the risk of self-harm, and risk management

To manage and access supervision in accordance with university and trust guidance.

To manage and co-facilitate group therapy programmes.

To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under their care and to monitor progress during the course of their treatment within the service.

To administer and interpret appropriate outcomes measures.

Teaching, training and supervision

To receive regular supervision in accordance with Trust Policy and professional practice guidelines.

To develop skills in providing training to colleagues.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details

Date posted

24 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

301-KM-25-7471460

Job locations

Hall Court

Hall Park Way, Overdale

Telford

TF3 4NF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for further details on the main responsibilities

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for further details on the main responsibilities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 2nd year (or about to become a 2nd year trainee) in a BPS Accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology trainee programme.
  • Further training in a specific psychological model / intervention specific to the role remit/area of work
  • BSc(hons) Psychology degree from a BPS accredited university course

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in working with individuals with mental health difficulties
  • Experience in providing therapeutic interventions to individuals in distress.
  • Experience working therapeutically with people with significant emotional or mental health difficulties, and their families/carers.
  • Experience in facilitating Group Work
  • Experience in psychological assessment and formulation

Skills

Essential

  • Developing skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management
  • Knowledge of the theory & practice of specialised psychological therapies for people with Complex Emotional Needs
  • An ability to formulate and provide treatment within at least one model of psychological therapy and the experience and a working knowledge of at least one other approach to psychological intervention.
  • Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 2nd year (or about to become a 2nd year trainee) in a BPS Accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology trainee programme.
  • Further training in a specific psychological model / intervention specific to the role remit/area of work
  • BSc(hons) Psychology degree from a BPS accredited university course

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in working with individuals with mental health difficulties
  • Experience in providing therapeutic interventions to individuals in distress.
  • Experience working therapeutically with people with significant emotional or mental health difficulties, and their families/carers.
  • Experience in facilitating Group Work
  • Experience in psychological assessment and formulation

Skills

Essential

  • Developing skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management
  • Knowledge of the theory & practice of specialised psychological therapies for people with Complex Emotional Needs
  • An ability to formulate and provide treatment within at least one model of psychological therapy and the experience and a working knowledge of at least one other approach to psychological intervention.
  • Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Hall Court

Hall Park Way, Overdale

Telford

TF3 4NF


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Hall Court

Hall Park Way, Overdale

Telford

TF3 4NF


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Clinical Psychologist

Sophie Sutherland

Sophie.Sutherland@mpft.nhs.uk

03003033426

Details

Date posted

24 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

301-KM-25-7471460

Job locations

Hall Court

Hall Park Way, Overdale

Telford

TF3 4NF


Supporting documents

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