Job summary
We are excited to be advertising this lead role in our Intensive Positive Behaviour Support (iPBS) Team. Psychologically led, intensive, multi-disciplinary therapy team for a small number of young people, their families and professional networks who have a learning disability, autism, with complex needs. Providing multidisciplinary assessment/understanding of complex needs and support across multiple settings when experiencing instability and are at risk of breaking down due to complexity of need. Offering relational and trauma-informed therapeutic support within an Attachment informed PBS framework. Lead psychologist will take a key role in modelling and implementing psychological approaches to support through direct work with families, joint work, training and consultation. Postholder will also hold a strategic vision around reducing restrictive practices and liaison with other services to ensure a 'no wrong door' approach to support for young people.
The role sits alongside senior psychology posts in our Early Years, Neurodevelopmental and Child and Adolescent Learning Disability Service (CALDS). The post is part of the Gwent Child and Family Psychology service, which is a large and vibrant team with many opportunities for learning and sharing good practice.
The postholder will have a passion for working with children with learning disabilities/autism and their families and carers and an enthusiasm for working towards cultural change in systems of support.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will lead on promoting a psychological understanding of the difficulties faced by children and young people through direct work with children and young people and their families, through consultation and training and through promoting systemic shifts in cultural discourses around what it may mean to be labelled as having a 'learning disability'.
This role entails place based care supporting children in their homes and in the community.
The successful candidate will also provide and engage in clinical supervision to support practice development, conduct and carry out research and audit on the provision of the service and play a key role in ongoing service development
About us
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.
We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.
Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
This post is fixed term/secondment for 12 months from April 1st 2026 to 31st of March 2027 to meet the needs of the service. If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
This post is fixed term/secondment for 12 months from April 1st 2026 to 31st of March 2027 to meet the needs of the service. If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in Psychology
- Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, accredited by the BPS, or equivalent accredited by the BPS
- Training in clinical supervision
Desirable
- Other related academic qualifications e.g. Masters
- Completion of a post-qualification advanced training in a formal psychological therapy
- Post graduate research degree
- Completed or undergoing training in the development and management of clinical psychology or learning disabilities service
Experience
Essential
- Three year Doctorate training across a range of client groups but must include Children, Adults, people with Learning Disabilities, and Older Age Adults
- Has completed at least 10 training days per year, on courses relevant to the provision of services for Children with Additional Needs
- Has kept up-to-date on current clinical practice in Clinical Psychology and in Child and Family Services more generally
- To have developed an advanced level of clinical expertise in at least one area of clinical practice within services for Children with Additional Needs e.g. Positive Behavioural Support, Systemic approaches or Attachment Frameworks and to have undergone or is undergoing post qualification training in it as part of the CPD process
Desirable
- Extensive post qualification experience of working with children or adults with a learning disability
- To have obtained further experience of working within other clinical psychology specialities e.g. Learning Disabilities Services or Adult Mental Health Services
- Research experience and statistical expertise
- Experience of leading on an aspect of service development in a multi-agency setting
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to provide direction through supervision, teaching and training to other psychologists, disciplines and agencies
- Possess a good working knowledge of strategies, policies and procedures relevant to working with Children with Additional Needs
- Able to provide leadership and direction within Services for Children with Additional Needs, by instigating developments, suggesting solutions to team issues, providing teaching, training, and supervision to other staff in the team
- Is familiar with current legislation regarding Children and Learning Disabilities and is aware of developments in it
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours degree in Psychology
- Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, accredited by the BPS, or equivalent accredited by the BPS
- Training in clinical supervision
Desirable
- Other related academic qualifications e.g. Masters
- Completion of a post-qualification advanced training in a formal psychological therapy
- Post graduate research degree
- Completed or undergoing training in the development and management of clinical psychology or learning disabilities service
Experience
Essential
- Three year Doctorate training across a range of client groups but must include Children, Adults, people with Learning Disabilities, and Older Age Adults
- Has completed at least 10 training days per year, on courses relevant to the provision of services for Children with Additional Needs
- Has kept up-to-date on current clinical practice in Clinical Psychology and in Child and Family Services more generally
- To have developed an advanced level of clinical expertise in at least one area of clinical practice within services for Children with Additional Needs e.g. Positive Behavioural Support, Systemic approaches or Attachment Frameworks and to have undergone or is undergoing post qualification training in it as part of the CPD process
Desirable
- Extensive post qualification experience of working with children or adults with a learning disability
- To have obtained further experience of working within other clinical psychology specialities e.g. Learning Disabilities Services or Adult Mental Health Services
- Research experience and statistical expertise
- Experience of leading on an aspect of service development in a multi-agency setting
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to provide direction through supervision, teaching and training to other psychologists, disciplines and agencies
- Possess a good working knowledge of strategies, policies and procedures relevant to working with Children with Additional Needs
- Able to provide leadership and direction within Services for Children with Additional Needs, by instigating developments, suggesting solutions to team issues, providing teaching, training, and supervision to other staff in the team
- Is familiar with current legislation regarding Children and Learning Disabilities and is aware of developments in it
Desirable
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).
