Highly Specialist Psychologist/Psychological Therapist/Psychotherapist

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and skilled senior colleague to join the Parenting Well with Psychosis Project (PWP), a 3-year partnership funded by the Maudsley Charity as part of their Living Well with Psychosis Programme. This is a new exciting opportunity to make a difference and shape future service deliveryo The PWP project aims to bridge the gap between CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and Adult Mental Health services by bringing together the Helping Families Team and SLAM's Early Intervention Psychosis teams across Croydon, Lewisham, Lambeth, and Southwark, with the goal of providing integrated care and support for parents with first episode psychosis.o Partnership working with Peer Supporters and lived experience networks in project development, delivery and evaluationo Delivery of evidence-based parenting interventions for parents with mental illness.o Delivery of co-delivered professional training in "Think Family" principles, focusing on the needs of children and young people impacted by parental mental illnesso Deliver and supervise specialist parenting group interventionso You will be a strong, compassionate and motivating team member, with line-management and supervisory responsibilitieso You will enable staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to contributing to a psychologically safe environment.

Main duties of the job

o To provide a highly specialist psychological assessment and interventions for parents experiencing mental illness.o Confident and skilled in engaging with parents who are experiencing significant mental health difficulties and are likely to have had significant input from a range of services over a long period of time.o Contribute to creating culturally sensitive frameworks to ensure Black and other communities are invited to contribute meaningfully to the project.o Ability to create supportive, connected, facilitative, influential and purposeful partnerships with families, colleagues and multi-agencies.o Ability to assess, manage and supervise clinical risk, and child and adult safeguarding.o Delivery and supervision of specialist peer-led parenting group interventionso To promote psychological support for carers (or families as appropriate) of referred clients.o Contribution to service evaluation, audit and researcho Contribute to reporting to Maudsley Charity and Stakeholders.

About us

Flexible working:As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday in the time frames from 8am to 6pm giving you the very best of good work life balance. (This may include working early mornings, later evenings or Saturdays as part of the core working hours/working pattern for this post)

About our locations: Maudsley Hospital (headquarters) Helping Families Team are based in the Michael Rutter Centre on the Maudsley Hospital site. Our Trust headquarters is located at Denmark Hill less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2) and is within walking distance from the beautiful green spaces of RuskinPark and the vibrant high-street that offers great shopping opportunities and with a wide range of restaurants. We provide services across the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham, Croydon and Southwark. (Due to move to the Pears Maudsley Children and Young People (PMCYP) at the Maudsley Hospital in early 2026)

Details

Date posted

10 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£64,156 to £71,148 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

36 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7590569

Job locations

Michael Rutter Centre

De Crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Parenting Well with Psychosis Project has been funded by the Maudsley Charitys Living Well with Psychosis Programme which funds initiatives and research to improve the treatment and support the recovery of people affected by psychosis. The Charity also has a focus on work that supports families and carers and addresses inequalities in the experiences of racialised communities with mental health services. Social deprivation, discrimination and racial trauma are all linked to an increased likelihood of developing a psychotic illness. In southeast London, rates of psychosis are up to two times higher than the UK national average, some of the highest rates in Europe with Black men and women disproportionately affected both in prevalence and in their experience of mental health services and treatment. The senior clinician will contribute to the development and co-ordination of the provision of the culturally sensitive Parenting Well with Psychosis project, including promotion of Clinical Governance. The senior clinician will be able to work clinically within the Helping Families Team and within the partnership holding a small caseload, depending on previous experience and clinical interest. The team will be an example of the Trust Think Family Strategy in practice where integrated care and partnership working are fundamental to whole family assessment, intervention and change. The program emphasizes diversity and inclusion, promoting access to parenting resources for marginalized communities. The project will commit to ensuring families from local Black communities, who are disproportionately affected by a diagnosis of psychosis, are invited to contribute to the design, delivery, evaluation as well as be in receipt of the programme as part of their care plan. We employ the Family Partnership Model as a framework to create partnerships, to promote respectful and honest engagement with families and professionals. Develop and co-deliver Think Family professional training focusing on empowering practitioners to consider the needs of children and young people impacted by parental mental illness. Coordinate delivery and supervise Being a Parent-Enjoying Family Life parenting groups, an evidence-based, 10-week parenting group intervention for parents dealing with mental health difficulties co-delivered by peer supporters and clinicians. The intervention will empower parents by building family resilience, supporting them to mentalise their experiences of being a parent and increasing their confidence in parenting their children. To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment, through team work, clinical supervision and management Contribute to the evaluation of the project alongside peer supporters and service users. To follow systems that are in place to support the clinical and professional supervision and support of other psychologists and multi-disciplinary colleagues within the Parenting Well team Clinical responsibility for child and adult safeguarding and clinical risk management of families being supported by the project. To contribute to various stages of the project implementation and evaluate through focus groups, interviews, and quantitative measures, with the aim of fostering long-term change and integrated care across mental health services.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Parenting Well with Psychosis Project has been funded by the Maudsley Charitys Living Well with Psychosis Programme which funds initiatives and research to improve the treatment and support the recovery of people affected by psychosis. The Charity also has a focus on work that supports families and carers and addresses inequalities in the experiences of racialised communities with mental health services. Social deprivation, discrimination and racial trauma are all linked to an increased likelihood of developing a psychotic illness. In southeast London, rates of psychosis are up to two times higher than the UK national average, some of the highest rates in Europe with Black men and women disproportionately affected both in prevalence and in their experience of mental health services and treatment. The senior clinician will contribute to the development and co-ordination of the provision of the culturally sensitive Parenting Well with Psychosis project, including promotion of Clinical Governance. The senior clinician will be able to work clinically within the Helping Families Team and within the partnership holding a small caseload, depending on previous experience and clinical interest. The team will be an example of the Trust Think Family Strategy in practice where integrated care and partnership working are fundamental to whole family assessment, intervention and change. The program emphasizes diversity and inclusion, promoting access to parenting resources for marginalized communities. The project will commit to ensuring families from local Black communities, who are disproportionately affected by a diagnosis of psychosis, are invited to contribute to the design, delivery, evaluation as well as be in receipt of the programme as part of their care plan. We employ the Family Partnership Model as a framework to create partnerships, to promote respectful and honest engagement with families and professionals. Develop and co-deliver Think Family professional training focusing on empowering practitioners to consider the needs of children and young people impacted by parental mental illness. Coordinate delivery and supervise Being a Parent-Enjoying Family Life parenting groups, an evidence-based, 10-week parenting group intervention for parents dealing with mental health difficulties co-delivered by peer supporters and clinicians. The intervention will empower parents by building family resilience, supporting them to mentalise their experiences of being a parent and increasing their confidence in parenting their children. To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment, through team work, clinical supervision and management Contribute to the evaluation of the project alongside peer supporters and service users. To follow systems that are in place to support the clinical and professional supervision and support of other psychologists and multi-disciplinary colleagues within the Parenting Well team Clinical responsibility for child and adult safeguarding and clinical risk management of families being supported by the project. To contribute to various stages of the project implementation and evaluate through focus groups, interviews, and quantitative measures, with the aim of fostering long-term change and integrated care across mental health services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS.
• 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)
• Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervised qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline. (A/I/R)
• Registered with professional body as appropriate to discipline e.g. HCPC/UKCP/ACP/BABCP (A/I)

Desirable

• To have post-qualification training in relevant clinical interests: e.g. Parenting, parental mental health, early intervention psychosis, family intervention. (A/I)
• Management qualification, management training course completion or line management experience)

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in Psychosis services and/or Parenting/Parental Mental Health. (A/I)
• Experience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training. (A/I)
• Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. (A/I)

Desirable

• Delivery / supervision of therapeutic, evidence-based groups (A/I)
• Post-qualification experience of specialist assessment and intervention for adults with Psychosis; Mood disorders; Personality Disorders and/or parents with neurodivergence (A/I)

Knowledge

Essential

• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of significant mental illness e.g. psychosis; and parental mental health (A/I/R)
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities. (A/I/R)
• To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)

Desirable

• Knowledge of Think Family principles (A/I)
• Knowledge of evidence-based Parenting Interventions (A/I)
• Knowledge of Early Intervention for Psychosis including Family Intervention (A/I)

Skills

Essential

• To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information. (A/I/R)
• Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups. (A/I/R)

Desirable

• Experience and desire to work alongside and champion colleagues with lived experience
• To adapt evidence-based models to improve service provision and service user acceptability (A/I)

Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I/R)
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate. (A/I/R)

Desirable

• Ability to work in Partnership with clients, colleagues and organisations (A/I)
• Ability to understand and work with marginalised communities and families who have experienced significant levels of grief and trauma (A/I)

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS.
• 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)
• Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervised qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline. (A/I/R)
• Registered with professional body as appropriate to discipline e.g. HCPC/UKCP/ACP/BABCP (A/I)

Desirable

• To have post-qualification training in relevant clinical interests: e.g. Parenting, parental mental health, early intervention psychosis, family intervention. (A/I)
• Management qualification, management training course completion or line management experience)

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in Psychosis services and/or Parenting/Parental Mental Health. (A/I)
• Experience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training. (A/I)
• Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. (A/I)

Desirable

• Delivery / supervision of therapeutic, evidence-based groups (A/I)
• Post-qualification experience of specialist assessment and intervention for adults with Psychosis; Mood disorders; Personality Disorders and/or parents with neurodivergence (A/I)

Knowledge

Essential

• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of significant mental illness e.g. psychosis; and parental mental health (A/I/R)
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities. (A/I/R)
• To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)

Desirable

• Knowledge of Think Family principles (A/I)
• Knowledge of evidence-based Parenting Interventions (A/I)
• Knowledge of Early Intervention for Psychosis including Family Intervention (A/I)

Skills

Essential

• To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information. (A/I/R)
• Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups. (A/I/R)

Desirable

• Experience and desire to work alongside and champion colleagues with lived experience
• To adapt evidence-based models to improve service provision and service user acceptability (A/I)

Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I/R)
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate. (A/I/R)

Desirable

• Ability to work in Partnership with clients, colleagues and organisations (A/I)
• Ability to understand and work with marginalised communities and families who have experienced significant levels of grief and trauma (A/I)

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

Michael Rutter Centre

De Crespigny Park

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

Michael Rutter Centre

De Crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AZ

Employer's website

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