Specialist / Highly Specialist Applied Psychologist

Job summary

This post is advertised as an 8a post, we are willing to consider applications from Psychologists who do not yet meet the essential criteria for a Band 8a, but who would be interested in undertaking the post at a Band 7 initially, with a supportive plan for development and progression in due course.

We welcome applications from staff who are currently coming to the end of their training in Clinical or counselling psychology that on successful completion will achieve the required qualification and registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist. Trainee counselling psychologists are eligible to apply for and to be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their 3rd year of the doctoral training and have the following confirmed as completed by the university. This information may be requested prior to interview: a. All clinical competencies. b. 80% of the 450 supervised clinical practice hours (360 hours)

Trainee clinical psychologists are eligible to apply for and to be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their third year of training, as they will have completed their core clinical competencies by this stage of the course.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to take up a dynamic role within LDCAMHS in the Durham and Darlington community. You will be joining an enthusiastic and dynamic team, composed of different professionals including nursing, support workers, psychiatry, speech and language and occupational therapy. We have strong links with the IPBS Team and the Holly Unit, as well as our colleagues in generic CAMHS. There is a great emphasis on team working and supporting our collective wellbeing. You will also benefit from the wealth of experience from the other established staff members in the team. As a psychologist, you will be supported to develop professionally through opportunities for further training and effective supervision. The role is both varied and interesting, drawing upon a wide range of skills and experiences. It allows you to develop your therapeutic creativity in engaging with a diverse population of children and young people. You will have the opportunity to work systemically with families and our partner agencies. There are opportunities to pursue interests in research, audit, governance issues and leadership. You will also be joining a supportive network of psychological practitioners across the whole of Durham and Tees Valley, offering more opportunities for support, learning, and continuing professional development.

About us

There is a strong Psychology network across the Trust and within the CAMHS directorate. We provide training placements for the local DClinPsy and DCounsPsy courses and encourage Psychology staff to contribute to relevant research opportunities.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academy's Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website.

Details

Date posted

25 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £62,682 a year This is a B7-8a vacancy dependant on experience (see info)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

346-DDC-068-25-A

Job locations

North End House

Durham

DH1 4LW

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Trained in clinical supervision (within agreed timescale)
• Trained in care co-ordination (within agreed timescale)
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification showing evidence of supervised practice in an evidence-based psychological therapeutic model
• Registration with BPS

Experience

Essential

• Must have experience/interest in: o Working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area)
• Multi-disciplinary team working

Desirable

• Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy
• Experience of research and audit

Knowledge

Essential

• Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence- based practice relevant to the role
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Clinical governance
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
• Audit and research methodology
• Social Inclusion agenda

Desirable

• Awareness of: o The Trust's Quality Improvement System

Skills

Essential

• Must be able to: Communicate complex and highly sensitive information effectively, to a wide range of people
• Adapt creatively the evidence base for interventions in mental health for clients with communication difficulties / learning disabilities.
• Provide (within agreed timescale) effective teaching, training and clinical supervision
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordination/lead practitioner responsibilities
• Undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems
• Utilise psychometric tests competently
• Identify, provide and promote appropriate interventions / means of support for carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours.
• Utilise appropriate clinical governance mechanisms within own work
• Use approved breakaway techniques
• Demonstrate effective keyboard skills

Desirable

• Skills in using multimedia materials in presentations

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Trained in clinical supervision (within agreed timescale)
• Trained in care co-ordination (within agreed timescale)
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Post-graduate qualification showing evidence of supervised practice in an evidence-based psychological therapeutic model
• Registration with BPS

Experience

Essential

• Must have experience/interest in: o Working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area)
• Multi-disciplinary team working

Desirable

• Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy
• Experience of research and audit

Knowledge

Essential

• Doctoral level knowledge of: Evidence- based practice relevant to the role
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Clinical governance
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
• Audit and research methodology
• Social Inclusion agenda

Desirable

• Awareness of: o The Trust's Quality Improvement System

Skills

Essential

• Must be able to: Communicate complex and highly sensitive information effectively, to a wide range of people
• Adapt creatively the evidence base for interventions in mental health for clients with communication difficulties / learning disabilities.
• Provide (within agreed timescale) effective teaching, training and clinical supervision
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordination/lead practitioner responsibilities
• Undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems
• Utilise psychometric tests competently
• Identify, provide and promote appropriate interventions / means of support for carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours.
• Utilise appropriate clinical governance mechanisms within own work
• Use approved breakaway techniques
• Demonstrate effective keyboard skills

Desirable

• Skills in using multimedia materials in presentations

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

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North End House

Durham

DH1 4LW

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North End House

Durham

DH1 4LW

Employer's website

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