About this role
Job summary
We welcome applications from candidates interested in joining us on a secondment basis.
This is an opportunity to take a leading role within Croydon's Community Learning Disability Team, providing highly specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities.
You'll join an experienced multidisciplinary team where psychology is highly valued. Alongside direct clinical work, you'll provide leadership, supervision and consultation, helping to shape psychological practice across the service while contributing to service development, research and quality improvement.
Working with adults who present with a wide range of needs--including intellectual disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions, trauma and mental health difficulties. You'll use your expertise across a range of evidence-based approaches, including CBT, Compassion Focused Therapy, Positive Behaviour Support, systemic and narrative approaches, mindfulness and trauma-informed practice.
You'll be supported by our Consultant Clinical Psychologist and become part of the wider Learning Disability Psychology Specialty across South West London and the South Thames Intellectual Disability Faculty, giving you access to a network of experienced psychologists beyond Croydon.
Please note: This is a part-time (22.5 hours) position, with the flexibility to spread your hours across the week to suit your schedule.
Main duties of the job
You'll:
Deliver highly specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities. Lead psychologically informed practice across the Community Learning Disability Team. Provide consultation, supervision and clinical leadership to psychology colleagues and the wider multidisciplinary team. Work collaboratively with families, carers and partner organisations to deliver person-centred care. Coordinate complex care and contribute to multidisciplinary planning and decision-making. Lead and contribute to service development, audit, research and quality improvement projects. Support the development of accessible, inclusive and culturally responsive services.
About us
Our Community Learning Disability Team is based in modern offices at Bernard Weatherill House in the heart of Croydon. You'll also work across community settings throughout the borough, alongside colleagues from Adult Social Care and partner organisations, delivering integrated care for local people.
Croydon is one of London's largest and most diverse boroughs, with a population of more than 390,000 people. The community we serve is rich in cultural diversity, bringing with it a broad range of experiences, perspectives and needs that make the work both rewarding and varied.
Psychology is a well-established and valued part of the service. You'll work alongside psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, behaviour specialists, social workers and other experienced professionals, sharing knowledge and learning from one another to provide high-quality, person-centred care.
Supporting your development
We're committed to helping our staff continue to develop throughout their careers.
You'll have access to:
Regular clinical supervision and leadership support.
Continuing Professional Development, including funded external training where appropriate.
Opportunities to contribute to research, audit and service evaluation.
Time to develop specialist interests.
Regular development conversations focused on your career aspirations and professional goals.
Job description Job responsibilities
Staff benefits
27 to 33 days annual leave (depending on NHS service), plus bank holidays. Automatic enrolment to one of the most generous pension schemes. Blue Light Card, offering thousands of discounts at high street retailers. Childcare support options. Cycle to Work Scheme. Access to a wide range of NHS staff wellbeing initiatives and additional employee benefits
Please note: This is a part-time (22.5 hours) position, with the flexibility to spread your hours across the week to suit your schedule.
Person Specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR TRAINING Essential
Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration. Clinical psychologist: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent. Additional training in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma. Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC. Completed training course in clinical supervision.
Desirable
PBS / Systemic approaches
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Essential
Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who engage in behaviours that severely challenge Advanced theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment such as PBS, trauma informed and/or systemic approaches. oAdvanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics. Knowledge of legislation in relation to these client groups and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities. Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis.
EXPERIENCE Essential
Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in intellectual disabilities and / or autism services. Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in intellectual disabilities and / or autism. experience of supervising assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training. Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists or other professional groups. P post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. o Experience of research and service development projects within own service area.
Desirable
Record of publications in either peer reviewed, academic or professional journals/books
SKILLS ABILITIES Essential
To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences. To plan projects and work schedules for groups of psychologists. Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups. Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour. oAbility to cope emotionally with challenging behaviours displayed by individuals and to support carers in times of distress. Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate. oAbility to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings oAbility to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these.
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 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Address Bernard Weatherill House 2nd Floor Zone B
8 Mint Walk
Croydon
CR0 1EA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/recruitment/ (Opens in a new tab)