Job summary Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people and developing and assuring psychological practice in CYP mental health services? Following the promotion of the current postholder, we have an opportunity for a Consultant Psychological Professional to lead our psychological service provision across our Core CAMHS locality teams in South Staffordshire. You will have substantial experience working as a registered psychological professional that will include highly developed skills and experience for working in CAMHS. In particular, you will have relevant expertise for working with our most vulnerable and complex children and young people, including those with care experience, and be confident working at a clinical, MDT and system level. You will predominantly deliver your direct clinical role in our Stafford locality but, given the key leadership responsibilities of the post, you will also be visible across CAMHS supporting wider service delivery via consultation, guidance and joint working. This will also require your engagement in professional, strategic and clinical leadership to assure the continual development and provision of effective children and young people's psychological services and psychologically informed core CAMHS provision. You will have the support of 8b colleagues within the service and a strong professional leadership structure. Main duties of the job To ensure the systematic provision and governance of high quality psychological services across CAMHS and to ensure that systems are in place and working effectively for the clinical and professional supervision and support of psychological practice. This will predominantly be across our core CAMHS locality provision in South Staffordshire but will also include psychological practice in identified specialist CAMHS teams as designated by the Professional Lead or operational managers. This will require significant expertise in psychological, evidence based practice relevant to the breadth of our CAMHS provision. However, specific highly developed skills in attachment and trauma and work with Looked After Children are also required. To provide expert psychological input to own specialist caseload responding to the most severe and complex cases. Provision of highly specialist professional consultation, advice and guidance on all aspects of psychological practice within CAMHS and across services, as agreed. Working in collaboration with other Consultant level psychological staff and the Professional Lead for Psychological Services to contribute to CAMHS professional, strategic and clinical leadership to assure the continual development and provision of effective CYP mental health psychological services and psychologically informed CAMHS provision across services. About us By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by; Supporting your career development and progression Excellent NHS Pension scheme Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave Options for flexible working Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k Free car parking at all trust sites Free flu vaccinations every year Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met) We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people. Date posted 03 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8c Salary £74,290 to £85,601 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 301-KM-25-6987985 Job locations The Bridge Crooked Bridge Road Stafford ST16 3NE Job description Job responsibilities For a detailed overview of the role and main responsibilities please review the attached Job Description and Person Specification. Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application. Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. Job description Job responsibilities For a detailed overview of the role and main responsibilities please review the attached Job Description and Person Specification. Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application. Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical / counselling psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology. OR Post-graduate qualification in relevant core CAMHS mental health/social welfare professional training recognised by AFT followed by post-qualification CAMHS experience prior to completion of Masters level qualification (or its equivalent) in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy, accredited with UKCP. OR Post-graduate qualification in relevant core CAMHS mental health/social welfare professional training and/or substantial CAMHS experience prior to completion of an ACP recognised post-graduate pre-clinical course prior to completing a recognised advanced and highly specialist training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at a clinical doctorate level or equivalent and conferring eligibility for full membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists. Registration with appropriate professional organisation: HCPC, appropriate section of UKCP or ACP as relevant. Post registration training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice (e.g. neuropsychology, psychotherapy, trauma, attachment) as required for specific clinical post. Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of psychological professionals in training such as doctorate level trainee psychologists or trainee psychotherapists. Trained in care co-ordination. Evidence of continuing relevant professional development sufficient to ensure continued professional registration. Desirable Registration with other professional bodies as relevant e.g. registration with BPS as a chartered psychologist, registration with the BPC Leadership development qualification / training. Experience Essential Substantial experience of working as a registered psychological professional both within the designated service and also with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and with a full range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings (in-patient and outpatient settings, community, primary care inpatient and residential settings). Substantial experience of working in specialist CYP mental health provision which includes multi-disciplinary working. Substantial experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care as a care co-ordinator Substantial experience of liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies Substantial experience of teaching, training, and clinical supervision of trainee psychologists or psychotherapists including field supervision of research theses. Substantial experience of research and development. Substantial experience of Project management of quality and service improvement initiatives. Experience of providing clinical and professional leadership to other registered and non-registered members of the psychological professions. Experience of managing multi-agency service delivery models. Experience of working at strategic level. Experience of quality and assurance governance issues. Desirable Experience of working with CYP with attachment and trauma needs. Experience of providing clinical consultation services to other professional staff. Experience of working in the NHS and/or publicly funded health or care settings. Experience of working collaboratively with CYP and their families/carers and professional network Experience of clinical leadership in a multi-disciplinary team. Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Essential Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of evidence-based practice relevant to the role. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of risk assessment and risk management. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of clinical governance. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health and its implications for clinical practice. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of audit and research methodology. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of social inclusion agenda. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of application of psychological understanding, formulation and intervention across therapeutic modalities and within clinical, multi-disciplinary and service level working. Highly developed knowledge of the care of difficult to treat groups e.g. dual diagnoses, additional disabilities or severely challenging behaviour. Must be able to demonstrate skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management and their application in a CYP mental health setting. Must be able to provide effective clinical leadership. Must be able to communicate highly complex, highly sensitive and highly contentious information effectively, to a wide range of people. Must be able to adapt evidence based interventions creatively for clients with communication difficulties / learning disabilities and have the ability to tailor interventions where CYP have not responded to normally recommended interventions Must be able to demonstrate skills in providing liaison, consultation and clinical supervision to other professionals and non-professional groups in health and non-health settings. Must be able to articulate sensitively and collaboratively the value added by the range of psychological services within the context of multidisciplinary mental health and learning disability healthcare provision, whilst also valuing the range of roles and skills represented in the MDT. Must be able to undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems. Must be able to utilise psychometric tests competently. Must be able to provide effective teaching, training and clinical supervision for the multidisciplinary team. Must be able to identify, provide and promote appropriate interventions / means of support for carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours. Must be able to utilise appropriate clinical governance mechanisms within own work. Must be able to use breakaway techniques following approve training. Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and similar applications. as well as Clinical Consulting platforms. Must be able to use multimedia materials for presentations in professional, academic and public settings. Desirable Highly developed skills to meet the mental health and attachment needs of Looked After Children, either through direct work or through the support of professional and care networks. Personal Attributes Essential Ability to develop productive therapeutic relationships with a range of clients. Able to work in accordance with the Trust Values and Behaviours. Able to engage with vulnerable children, young people and families and work effectively in highly distressing and challenging circumstances. Able to maintain a high degree of professionalism within highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical assault. Able to provide containment, insight and direct input to complex and challenging cases where there is a high degree of parental distress and/or hostility in addition to the difficulties presented by the child or young person. Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team. Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and hold the stress of others. Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently. Committed to continual quality and service improvement. Self aware and committed to professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision. Willingness to undertake further leadership development both formal and informal. Enthusiasm for a broad range of psychological phenomena, theories and application and in developing psychologically-informed services for CYP with mental health needs. Desirable Personal lived-experience of mental health issues and use of mental health services. Ability to demonstrate leadership and management skills. Other Requirements Essential Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need. This post is subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service to identify any relevant criminal background. Person Specification Qualifications and Training Essential Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical / counselling psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology. OR Post-graduate qualification in relevant core CAMHS mental health/social welfare professional training recognised by AFT followed by post-qualification CAMHS experience prior to completion of Masters level qualification (or its equivalent) in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy, accredited with UKCP. OR Post-graduate qualification in relevant core CAMHS mental health/social welfare professional training and/or substantial CAMHS experience prior to completion of an ACP recognised post-graduate pre-clinical course prior to completing a recognised advanced and highly specialist training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at a clinical doctorate level or equivalent and conferring eligibility for full membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists. Registration with appropriate professional organisation: HCPC, appropriate section of UKCP or ACP as relevant. Post registration training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice (e.g. neuropsychology, psychotherapy, trauma, attachment) as required for specific clinical post. Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of psychological professionals in training such as doctorate level trainee psychologists or trainee psychotherapists. Trained in care co-ordination. Evidence of continuing relevant professional development sufficient to ensure continued professional registration. Desirable Registration with other professional bodies as relevant e.g. registration with BPS as a chartered psychologist, registration with the BPC Leadership development qualification / training. Experience Essential Substantial experience of working as a registered psychological professional both within the designated service and also with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and with a full range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings (in-patient and outpatient settings, community, primary care inpatient and residential settings). Substantial experience of working in specialist CYP mental health provision which includes multi-disciplinary working. Substantial experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care as a care co-ordinator Substantial experience of liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies Substantial experience of teaching, training, and clinical supervision of trainee psychologists or psychotherapists including field supervision of research theses. Substantial experience of research and development. Substantial experience of Project management of quality and service improvement initiatives. Experience of providing clinical and professional leadership to other registered and non-registered members of the psychological professions. Experience of managing multi-agency service delivery models. Experience of working at strategic level. Experience of quality and assurance governance issues. Desirable Experience of working with CYP with attachment and trauma needs. Experience of providing clinical consultation services to other professional staff. Experience of working in the NHS and/or publicly funded health or care settings. Experience of working collaboratively with CYP and their families/carers and professional network Experience of clinical leadership in a multi-disciplinary team. Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Essential Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of evidence-based practice relevant to the role. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of risk assessment and risk management. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of clinical governance. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health and its implications for clinical practice. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of audit and research methodology. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of social inclusion agenda. Doctoral, or equivalent, level knowledge of application of psychological understanding, formulation and intervention across therapeutic modalities and within clinical, multi-disciplinary and service level working. Highly developed knowledge of the care of difficult to treat groups e.g. dual diagnoses, additional disabilities or severely challenging behaviour. Must be able to demonstrate skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management and their application in a CYP mental health setting. Must be able to provide effective clinical leadership. Must be able to communicate highly complex, highly sensitive and highly contentious information effectively, to a wide range of people. Must be able to adapt evidence based interventions creatively for clients with communication difficulties / learning disabilities and have the ability to tailor interventions where CYP have not responded to normally recommended interventions Must be able to demonstrate skills in providing liaison, consultation and clinical supervision to other professionals and non-professional groups in health and non-health settings. Must be able to articulate sensitively and collaboratively the value added by the range of psychological services within the context of multidisciplinary mental health and learning disability healthcare provision, whilst also valuing the range of roles and skills represented in the MDT. Must be able to undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems. Must be able to utilise psychometric tests competently. Must be able to provide effective teaching, training and clinical supervision for the multidisciplinary team. Must be able to identify, provide and promote appropriate interventions / means of support for carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours. Must be able to utilise appropriate clinical governance mechanisms within own work. Must be able to use breakaway techniques following approve training. Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook and similar applications. as well as Clinical Consulting platforms. Must be able to use multimedia materials for presentations in professional, academic and public settings. Desirable Highly developed skills to meet the mental health and attachment needs of Looked After Children, either through direct work or through the support of professional and care networks. Personal Attributes Essential Ability to develop productive therapeutic relationships with a range of clients. Able to work in accordance with the Trust Values and Behaviours. Able to engage with vulnerable children, young people and families and work effectively in highly distressing and challenging circumstances. Able to maintain a high degree of professionalism within highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical assault. Able to provide containment, insight and direct input to complex and challenging cases where there is a high degree of parental distress and/or hostility in addition to the difficulties presented by the child or young person. Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team. Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and hold the stress of others. Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently. Committed to continual quality and service improvement. Self aware and committed to professional and personal development. Able to accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision. Willingness to undertake further leadership development both formal and informal. Enthusiasm for a broad range of psychological phenomena, theories and application and in developing psychologically-informed services for CYP with mental health needs. Desirable Personal lived-experience of mental health issues and use of mental health services. Ability to demonstrate leadership and management skills. Other Requirements Essential Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need. This post is subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service to identify any relevant criminal background. 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 Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Address The Bridge Crooked Bridge Road Stafford ST16 3NE Employer's website https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)