About this role
Job summary
National Deaf CAMHS (South West) is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Clinical Psychologist (Band 8a) to join our specialist, psychology-led service. This is a unique opportunity to work within a bicultural, bilingual multidisciplinary team providing high quality mental health care for deaf children, young people and their families across the South West.
We warmly welcome applications from experienced psychologists at Band 8a, and are also happy to consider Band 7 psychologists with relevant experience who are keen to progress, offering structured support and development into a Band 8a role. We would be particularly interested in hearing from applicants with additional qualifications or experience in systemic family therapy, although this is not essential
Who we're looking for
We are looking for a psychologist who is:
Passionate about improving mental health outcomes for Deaf children and young peopleCollaborative, reflective and values drivenInterested in service development, innovation and learningComfortable working within a specialist and multidisciplinary environmentInterested in working systemically, and/or holds systemic family therapy qualifications
Main duties of the job
Provide highly specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for Deaf children and young people and their familiesHold a caseload, including key working packages of careOffer specialist consultation, advice and training to professionals in education, health and social careWork collaboratively with colleagues to deliver high quality, person centred careLead on and contribute to service development, audit and researchProvide clinical supervision to staff, trainees and volunteers, in line with experience and service needsYou will work autonomously within professional guidelines, with responsibility for the quality and governance of psychological practice within the service, while being well supported through regular professional and clinical supervision in line with BPS and Trust guidance.
Working with us
The team is based at Foundation House in Taunton and provides services across the South West region. We are highly mindful of staff wellbeing and work--life balance. While the role involves regional travel (often school based and during working hours), this is balanced by flexible and home working options. Many team members work primarily from home and travel to schools and other sites as needed.
British Sign Language experience is not required and training in BSL will be provided. You will work with a dedicated pool of qualified BSL interpreters, alongside training and support in working effectively with interpreters and Deaf clients.
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 lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, 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
National Deaf CAMHS is a specialist regional service that supports deaf children and young people with a range of complex mental health and neurodevelopmental needs. We also provide assessment and intervention for Children of Deaf Adults (CODA's) where appropriate.
We are proud to be a bicultural and bilingual service, working with deaf and hearing communities, and offering psychologically informed care that recognises the importance of language, identity and culture. Our multidisciplinary team includes professionals from psychology, psychiatry, social work, occupational therapy and deaf specialist outreach workers, combining a wide range of expertise and perspectives. As a team we complete a lot of joint working, particularly joint assessments, to utilise this range of expertise.
The South West service is closely connected with other National Deaf CAMHS teams across England, offering strong professional links, high-quality supervision and shared learning. These national links also provide exciting opportunities to contribute to research, service development and innovation at a national level.
This is an exciting time to join National Deaf CAMHS. We are currently expanding our community services offer and are actively involved in a national review of our service specification. This brings with it, opportunities to influence national service provision for deaf young people, and contribute to service improvement projects such as trauma-informed approaches and language deprivation for deaf young people.
You will be supported to contribute to this work and develop your interests and expertise. Training and professional development are actively encouraged, both locally within Somerset Foundation Trust and through our national networks.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy or equivalent)HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
Desirable
Relevant specialist CPD qualification (Diploma/ Masters etc.)Training in neuropsychological and developmental assessmentQualification in Systemic Family TherapyClinical Supervision training
Experience Essential
Significant experience working as a qualified Clinical Psychologist with children and young peopleExperience of working with neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g. autism, ADHD)Experience of specialist psychological assessment and formulation, including complex casesExperience of multi-disciplinary team workingExperience providing consultation to other professionals/agencies
Desirable
Relevant post-qualification training in work with children, young people and their familiesExperience of working across service settings and agencies
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Foundation House
Wellsprings Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7PQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)