We are a warm,innovativeand forward-thinkingpsychology servicein a compassionate and highly rated Mental Health and Community Trust. We are passionate about improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and are looking for someone who shares these values.
Are you an innovative and forward-looking clinical / counselling psychologist with a backgroundofworking inpsychology services for peoplewithlearning disabilities?Do you have experience of successfully leading psychological services, managing strategic projects, and of working effectively in multi-disciplinary settings?
If the above describes you, and ifyou’reenergetic and ready for your next career move, we are looking for the right person to join the leadership of ourservice.This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established psychology service wherepsychologists work closely with other multi-disciplinary professionals to offer high-quality care to adults with learning disabilities both in a community setting and in an inpatient unit.This isa great timeto become involved to support,leadand progressthis work. If successful you will be supported to develop your clinical leadership and change management skills, while continuing to use your supervision, consultation,trainingand governance skills to enhanceclientand staff well-being.
• To lead, manage, and supervisethe psychological workforce to enableall staff to deliver high quality assessments and evidence-based interventions toadultswith learning disabilities referred to the service.
• To draw ona high levelof expert knowledge and experience of evidence-based interventions of working withpeople with learning disabilities
• To leadonservice delivery and service development
• To work as part of thepsychology managementteam alongside the ConsultantLeadPsychologist
• To deputise for the ConsultantLeadPsychologist and represent Learning Disabilities Psychologyand/or psychological therapies at relevant policy and service provision meetings, locally and nationally
• To bring a personal, professional and leadership approach which is collaborative and compassionate and enables positive engagement, emotional containment, and skills-development relevant to work with the client group.
• To exercise responsibility for service improvement, quality assurance and governance of the service
Location:Based in Reading, with Trust-wide responsibilities.
Flexibility:Opportunities for home and flexible working arrangements– although travelling to sites in Berkshire will berequiredat times.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites
The “must haves” for this role:
• Post graduate doctoral qualification in clinical/counselling psychology (or approved equivalent)
• Current UK professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council or a UKCP registration.
• Extensive experience working as a qualified Principal clinical/counselling psychologist, including demonstrable post qualification experience at a highly specialist level in the related specialisms.
• Experience in leading services and successfully managing or contributing to major change programmes.
• Exceptional interpersonal and highly effective communication skills with the ability to support, engage and lead
• An enhanced DBS check
• You will be able and willing to travel between bases in Berkshire as needed.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and ‘Other’ Ethnic Groups.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet thecriteria in theperson specificationand write about thispoint-by-pointin your supporting statementfor the best chance of being shortlisted.
Wearecommitted to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Pleasedon’thesitate tocontact:Dr Sarah Walden, Consultant Clinical Psychologist onsarah.walden@berkshire.nhs.ukor in0118 904 7197,07890 395584whowillbe delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so pleasesubmityour application as soon as possible.
This advert closes on Wednesday 30 Apr 2025
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .