Job summary Band 8b Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Psychotherapist - Southwark Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Teams (AORT) Lead Clinical/Counselling Psychologist for three AORT branches, including one Assertive Outreach Team and two Community Rehabilitation Teams. The three branches provide enhanced support for people with a severe and enduring mental health problem, either due to their needs not being met within a traditional community team or because the service user has been placed within a block-funded rehabilitation placement within the borough. A range of psychological therapies are offered by the psychology and psychotherapy team within AORT and although NICE guidelines constitute the core offer (e.g., CBT for psychosis, Family Interventions for service users with a schizophrenia-spectrum diagnosis), flexibility, creativity and practice-based evidence is supported. This includes psychodynamic psychotherapy, narrative practices and Open Dialogue. Main duties of the job The post holder will provide operational leadership to the psychology and psychotherapy team within AORT. In addition to operating as the lead for psychology and psychotherapy, the postholder will also hold a leadership and consultation role across the wider AORT multi-disciplinary teams. They will provide highly specialist direct and indirect psychological input within all three AORT branches. Direct work will include individual, family/network and group work. Of particular note, is the current need within the service for directly providing and/or supervising the administration, interpretation and feeding back of cognitive assessments, which the postholder will lead on within the service. Each AORT branch has team formulation meetings underpinned by the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF), which is a key part of the strategy to embed trauma informed care within the teams. The postholder will be expected to support and lead on this ambition within AORT. To supplement individual supervision received from the interim psychosis pathway lead for psychology and psychotherapy, the postholder will join a monthly supervision group facilitated by Dr Lucy Johnstone (one of the PTMF authors) that has been commissioned until at least March 2025. They will also have the opportunity to take advantage of other supervision groups and/or special interest groups within the Southwark directorate and/or wider Trust. About us South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusthas a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond. We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good'. We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers. The Trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust. Date posted 31 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £70,387 to £80,465 a year per annum Incl. of HCAs Contract Fixed term Duration 3 months Working pattern Part-time Reference number 334-CLI-6671344 Job locations Marina House 63-65 Denmark Hill London SE5 8RZ Job description Job responsibilities This role will be based within the Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Teams (AORT) in Southwark, which is part of our borough Complex Care Pathway. AORT is a multi-disciplinary team that has a commitment to deliver excellent and responsive assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for people with severe and enduring mental health problems, who often present with a level of co-existing complex needs, including substance misuse, significant risk, engagement and social exclusion and who at times may present with extremely challenging behaviours. To develop, co-ordinate and ensure the systematic provision of a specialist psychology and psychotherapy service to service users and carers within the Southwark Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Team (AORT), and personally provide highly specialist clinical input. This includes administering and supervising the administration of cognitive assessments. To lead on further embedding trauma-informed care and the Power Threat Meaning Framework within the service. To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment. To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a lead specialist in complex care. To ensure that systems are in place and working effectively for the clinical and professional supervision and support of other psychologists and psychotherapists within AORT. To undertake service evaluation, audit, research and policy development. To work as an autonomous professional within BPS and HCPC guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, taking responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters. To agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best achieved. Job description Job responsibilities This role will be based within the Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Teams (AORT) in Southwark, which is part of our borough Complex Care Pathway. AORT is a multi-disciplinary team that has a commitment to deliver excellent and responsive assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for people with severe and enduring mental health problems, who often present with a level of co-existing complex needs, including substance misuse, significant risk, engagement and social exclusion and who at times may present with extremely challenging behaviours. To develop, co-ordinate and ensure the systematic provision of a specialist psychology and psychotherapy service to service users and carers within the Southwark Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Team (AORT), and personally provide highly specialist clinical input. This includes administering and supervising the administration of cognitive assessments. To lead on further embedding trauma-informed care and the Power Threat Meaning Framework within the service. To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment. To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a lead specialist in complex care. To ensure that systems are in place and working effectively for the clinical and professional supervision and support of other psychologists and psychotherapists within AORT. To undertake service evaluation, audit, research and policy development. To work as an autonomous professional within BPS and HCPC guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, taking responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters. To agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best achieved. Person Specification Qualifications Essential 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. Clinical psychologist: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent; Counselling psychologist: MSc and PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology. Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC. Additional training in CBT for psychosis (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma. Completed training course in clinical supervision. Desirable BABCP accreditation Experience Essential Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in CBT for Psychosis and Family interventions for psychosis Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature, including, but not limited to, psychosis and addictions Experience of supervising assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists or other professional groups Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities Desirable Experience of facilitating team formulation meetings within a multi-disciplinary context Experience of using the Power Threat Meaning Framework directly or indirectly with service users Experience of facilitating group interventions, for service users and/or carers Experience of facilitating reflective practice groups for staff teams Knowledge Essential Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for people with complex needs requiring high support; including, but not limited to, psychosis and addictions Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care Desirable Advanced knowledge of trauma informed care practice and/or the Power Threat Meaning Framework Skills Essential To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences. To be expert in the skilled administration of psychometric tests, including skilled manipulation of test materials; and to be able to supervise others in administration of psychometric tests. 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. Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data. Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups. Abilities Essential Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour. Ability to provide assertive outreach to people who are deemed as harder to reach. Person Specification Qualifications Essential 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. Clinical psychologist: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent; Counselling psychologist: MSc and PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology. Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC. Additional training in CBT for psychosis (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma. Completed training course in clinical supervision. Desirable BABCP accreditation Experience Essential Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in CBT for Psychosis and Family interventions for psychosis Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature, including, but not limited to, psychosis and addictions Experience of supervising assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists or other professional groups Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities Desirable Experience of facilitating team formulation meetings within a multi-disciplinary context Experience of using the Power Threat Meaning Framework directly or indirectly with service users Experience of facilitating group interventions, for service users and/or carers Experience of facilitating reflective practice groups for staff teams Knowledge Essential Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for people with complex needs requiring high support; including, but not limited to, psychosis and addictions Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care Desirable Advanced knowledge of trauma informed care practice and/or the Power Threat Meaning Framework Skills Essential To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences. To be expert in the skilled administration of psychometric tests, including skilled manipulation of test materials; and to be able to supervise others in administration of psychometric tests. 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. Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data. Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups. Abilities Essential Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour. Ability to provide assertive outreach to people who are deemed as harder to reach. 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 Marina House 63-65 Denmark Hill London SE5 8RZ Employer's website https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)