Senior Clinical / Counselling Psychologist

Senior Clinical / Counselling Psychologist - New BPSD pathway in Hillingdon Older Adult Mental Health services, CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust). Contract: Permanent, Part time 30 hours per week. Salary: £61,631 - £68,623 per annum (pro rata P/T). Closing date: 23/02/2026.

Job overview

• Specialise in assessment, intervention and care for older adults with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team including a Guided Care Matron, nurse/OT, Assisted Psychologist and Care Assistant.

Main duties of the job

• Triage, assess, formulate and plan care for older adults referred for BPSD support, predominantly Care Home residents.
• Provide intensive in home and care home support to reduce A&E and hospital admissions.
• Collaborate with families, informal carers, care home teams and external agencies.
• Support service initiation, development and review, acting as a lead specialist in older adult mental health and dementia care.
• Work autonomously within BPS and HCPC guidelines, interpreting policies and ensuring compliance.
• Conduct service evaluation, audit and research to inform evidence based practice.
• Lead clinical supervision and consultation for trainee and Assistant Psychologists.
• Advise on specialist psychological care and liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals.
• Contribute to team functioning, service delivery, and culturally competent care.

Person specification Qualifications & Registration

• Entry level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate or MSc + PG Diploma, accepted by HCPC). For Clinical Psychologists: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent; for Counselling Psychologists: MSc and PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology.
• Current registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Additional training in a specialised area of psychological practice (e.g., neuropsychology, dementia care, CBT) or equivalent portfolio of supervised practice.
• Completed training course in clinical supervision.

Experience

• Worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in older adult mental health and dementia care.
• Experience with care home residents and teams.
• Supervised assistant and trainee psychologists and addressed diversity within local communities.

Skills

• Plan and schedule assessments and interventions, including CPAs and case reviews.
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to team functioning.
• Apply clinical governance mechanisms appropriately.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. Vaccination is strongly encouraged and supported by the NHS Trust.

• UK visa sponsorship is welcome and will be considered; please check eligibility under the UKVI points based system.
• Appointment subject to a 13 week probationary period.
• Information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system upon offer.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Candidate must hold relevant UK professional registration and meet the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order requirements. Disclosures to the Disclosure and Barring Service are mandatory.