Head of Psychology & Psychotherapy (Neurodevelopmental Services)

Job summary

We're seeking an exceptional leader to become Head of Psychology & Psychotherapy for Neurodevelopmental Services at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (Mental Health & Learning Disabilities and Specialist Neurodevelopmental Services). This role offers the opportunity to influence care across a range of community settings, including National & Specialist Services and local services, as well as inpatient settings. The role will guide and lead a diverse and expert team of psychological professionals.

You'll drive clinical excellence, workforce development, and strategic innovation across the services that include Mental Health & Learning Disabilities (MHLD) covering the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, and Specialist Neurodevelopmental Services, made up of an in-patient National & Specialist Autism ward at the Bethlem Royal Hospital (NAU), National Adult ADHD and Autism Psychology Service (NAAAPS), the Transforming Care Autism Service (TCA), and the Three-Borough Service (Croydon, Lewisham, Lambeth).

As a key member of the Trust-wide Psychology & Psychotherapy leadership group you will help shape policy, governance, and quality standards across the organisation.

We offer a unique environment where care, research, and education intersect - partnering with King's College London and King's Health Partners. Join us to lead meaningful change, support individualised care, and contribute to nationally recognised service development.

Main duties of the job

To work with operational managers and senior clinical leaders to ensure all service users, families, carers, and partner organisations of the Neurodevelopmental Services (NDS) have appropriate access to psychology or psychotherapy as an element in their pathway to recovery.

To provide strategic neurodevelopmental psychology and psychotherapy leadership, encapsulating service development; workforce development; implementation and development of psychology and psychotherapy guidance and policy; and development of psychology and psychotherapy protocols specific to the NDS.

To lead, manage and plan the delivery of a highly specialist psychology and psychotherapy service, in conjunction with clinical and managerial service leads, and personally provide expert direct clinical input.

The postholder will ensure the conduct of research, service evaluation and audits relevant to evidence-based practice in the services. This will link with establishing training needs and ensure good communication and liaison with the Trust Director of Psychology & Psychotherapy, Trust advisors and the Education and Training Department, in partnership with the Institute of Psychiatry and Psychology (IoPPN).

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse and addiction services. We work with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care & treatment, science & research, and training.

SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.

By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development / learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014; providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels.

Details

Date posted

24 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£99,808 to £113,803 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7666827

Job locations

PMOA &NDD Management Team

113 Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role covers a wide range of services as outlined above. The P&P staffing complement is currently in excess of 50 individuals and this is growing with current service developments. The team work together to deliver individualised care in a range of therapy modalities, in direct and indirect interventions, group interventions, and support for carers and other partner agencies. The service has recently benefitted from the inclusion of peer support work, and the service development continues to grow this aspect. The implementation of the Patient & Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) has been a priority of the Trust in its aspirations to implement the Trusts Anti-Racism Action Plan and the postholder will support these developments across the NDS.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role covers a wide range of services as outlined above. The P&P staffing complement is currently in excess of 50 individuals and this is growing with current service developments. The team work together to deliver individualised care in a range of therapy modalities, in direct and indirect interventions, group interventions, and support for carers and other partner agencies. The service has recently benefitted from the inclusion of peer support work, and the service development continues to grow this aspect. The implementation of the Patient & Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) has been a priority of the Trust in its aspirations to implement the Trusts Anti-Racism Action Plan and the postholder will support these developments across the NDS.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration. (A/I) For Psychologists: . 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. (A/I) For Family / Systemic Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field (A/I) PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy or equivalent qualification, accredited by UKCP (A/I) For Psychotherapists: Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP (specify which, according to nature of post) for purposes of professional registration. (A/I) (for a job requiring specific professional qualification(s), change this point to specify the required qualification(s). For Arts Therapists: Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Arts Therapy or Dance Movement Therapy. (or specify Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dramatherapy or Dance Movement Therapy)
• Additional training beyond entry-level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice (LD and Neurodevelopmental Conditions) through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), o OR a combination of specialist short courses and/or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by a BPS National Assessor and an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma or higher
• Registered with / accredited by professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK/BPS. (A/I) . Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body.
• Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervise qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in professional leadership of psychologists and / or psychotherapists such as in a directorate type structure
• Experience of leading and managing a psychology and/or psychotherapy service in Neurodevelopmental Services
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for the psychological care and treatment with clients with complex needs.
• Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists and/or other professional groups
• Experience of professional and clinical management of qualified and pre-qualified psychologists and/or psychotherapists.

Desirable

• Record of publications in either peer reviewed, academic or professional journals/books

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of the theory and practice of management and leadership.
• Advanced theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment (specify for the post if necessary).
• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care for people with learning disabilities or neurodiverse conditions.
• Knowledge of a range of therapeutic ideas/approaches/models in assessment and treatment relevant to discipline
• To deliver psychological / psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences.

Desirable

• To select and administer specialist psychological assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources according to discipline (specify if knowledge needed in a specialist area

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration. (A/I) For Psychologists: . 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. (A/I) For Family / Systemic Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field (A/I) PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy or equivalent qualification, accredited by UKCP (A/I) For Psychotherapists: Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP (specify which, according to nature of post) for purposes of professional registration. (A/I) (for a job requiring specific professional qualification(s), change this point to specify the required qualification(s). For Arts Therapists: Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Arts Therapy or Dance Movement Therapy. (or specify Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dramatherapy or Dance Movement Therapy)
• Additional training beyond entry-level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice (LD and Neurodevelopmental Conditions) through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), o OR a combination of specialist short courses and/or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by a BPS National Assessor and an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma or higher
• Registered with / accredited by professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK/BPS. (A/I) . Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body.
• Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervise qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in professional leadership of psychologists and / or psychotherapists such as in a directorate type structure
• Experience of leading and managing a psychology and/or psychotherapy service in Neurodevelopmental Services
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for the psychological care and treatment with clients with complex needs.
• Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists and/or other professional groups
• Experience of professional and clinical management of qualified and pre-qualified psychologists and/or psychotherapists.

Desirable

• Record of publications in either peer reviewed, academic or professional journals/books

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of the theory and practice of management and leadership.
• Advanced theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment (specify for the post if necessary).
• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care for people with learning disabilities or neurodiverse conditions.
• Knowledge of a range of therapeutic ideas/approaches/models in assessment and treatment relevant to discipline
• To deliver psychological / psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences.

Desirable

• To select and administer specialist psychological assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources according to discipline (specify if knowledge needed in a specialist area

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).

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.

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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

PMOA &NDD Management Team

113 Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

PMOA &NDD Management Team

113 Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ

Employer's website

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