About this role
Job summary The Principal Therapist will provide strategic and clinical leadership within Havering Talking Therapies, overseeing the delivery of high-quality psychological services. The role combines advanced clinical practice with service development, performance management, and workforce leadership.
The post holder will work closely with senior management, commissioners, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure the service meets national targets, maintains excellent clinical outcomes, and continues to evolve in line with local population needs.
Main duties of the job Main duties of the job
Lead and manage clinical teams to deliver evidencebased psychological therapies Maintain oversight of service performance, including access, recovery rates, and waiting times Provide expert clinical supervision and support to therapists across the service Contribute to workforce development, including recruitment, training, and retention strategies Ensure compliance with NHS Talking Therapies standards and governance frameworks Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to improve patient pathways Drive innovation and service improvements to enhance patient experience and outcomes Manage complex clinical cases and provide specialist input where required
About us
NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex.
We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.
Job description Job responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Provide operational and strategic leadership across Havering Talking Therapies Oversee clinical governance, ensuring safe, effective, and high-quality care delivery Monitor and analyse service data to inform decision-making and improvement plans Lead on service redesign initiatives in response to local and national priorities Support equality, diversity, and inclusion within service provision and workforce culture Contribute to budget management and resource allocation Represent the service in Trust-wide and external meetings Ensure robust risk management processes and safeguarding practices Promote a psychologically informed approach across multidisciplinary teams Participate in and support research, audit, and evaluation activities Starting with NELFT NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a. pro rata for part time).
Working for Us
North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) is a leading provider of community and mental health services, committed to delivering highquality, compassionate care across diverse communities. With a strong focus on innovation, equality, and staff wellbeing, NELFT offers a supportive environment where clinical excellence and professional development are prioritised.
Havering Talking Therapies sits within this forwardthinking Trust, delivering evidencebased psychological interventions to adults with common mental health difficulties. The service is part of the national NHS Talking Therapies programme (formerly IAPT), focused on improving access, outcomes, and recovery rates.
Staff benefit from:
A culture of continuous improvement and learning Strong clinical leadership and supervision structures Opportunities for research, service development, and career progression Flexible working and staff wellbeing initiatives
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Please see attached JD/PS
Experience Essential
Please see attached JD/PS
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.
Employer details Employer name NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address Oasis House
Harold Wood
Essex
RM3 0QA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)