Principal Lead Clinical Psychologist

We are offering a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic, forward thinking, and passionate senior clinician for this newly created post as a Principal Lead Psychologist (clinical/counselling) in learning disabilities (8b) to join the team and contribute to the provision and development of the Hounslow Adult Learning Disability Health Team.

The service reached the finals of the National Learning Disability & Autism Awards in 2022 and the PrescQIPP Awards in 2021 (Highly Commended) for the work we have been doing in relation to the STOMP programme. The service was recognised by the organisation and received the 'Outstanding Clinical Team of the Year' award in 2022. In 2023 the service won Patient Choice Award and in 2025, the service received the 'most inspirational' award by the National Beyond Words charity.

The service has a mature and effective partnership with the local authority and other key health partners and 3rd sector providers, in order to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities, their families, and carers.

Main duties of the job

You will lead on and be responsible for the psychology element of the service and will actively work with the team leads to strengthen multi-disciplinary working (internal/external) that will promote optimal care outcomes for the people we serve.

As a senior clinician within the service, you will model, lead, clinically innovate and shape how we deliver high-quality, person-centred care to residents who require a service from us.

You will work closely with the clinical service manager and lead clinicians to ensure that a safe and high-quality service is delivered. You will deputise for the clinical services manager as required.

If you are creative, caring, compassionate and can innovate, we would love to hear from you!

About us

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Job responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person Specification Qualifications & associations

• Doctoral level training in clinical/counselling psychology
• Models of psychopathology, psychometrics and neuropsychology
• Two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the HCPC and BPS
• HCPC registered as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology
• Further training and qualification in autistic spectrum conditions (e.g., autism diagnostic interview - revised and autism diagnostic observation schedule)

Experience

• Substantial post qualifying experience of specialist psychological assessment, formulation, and treatment of service users across the full range of care settings
• Experience working with people who have learning disabilities/autism and both
• Experience working with a wide variety of service user groups across the learning disability spectrum with a full range of needs (including behaviours that challenge, mental health, abuse etc)
• Experience of conducting and leading on research and audit
• Experience of quality improvement (QI) initiatives and other service development work
• Highly experienced in risk assessment, management and planning
• Significant experience of liaising and joint working with statutory, voluntary and 3rd sector organisations (care without boundaries)
• Experience of teaching training and clinical supervision
• Significant experience in care coordination (as part of a CPA and other related process)
• Significant experience of working in the community

Skills and abilities

• Adapt creatively the evidence based for interventions in mental health for service users with communication difficulties/ learning disabilities
• Undertake complex multiagency working and liaise with multiple systems effectively
• Use psychometric/cognitive and ALL forms of other testing competently
• Fully conversant (and competent), with a full range of Microsoft software, Excel, and other software mediums
• Well-developed skills in providing and receiving clinical supervision (and in dealing with practice standards/challenges)

Knowledge

• Sound knowledge (and application) of legislation & national policy that impacts on people with learning disabilities
• Valuing People (2001)
• Valuing People Now (2009)
• Equality Act (2010)
• Mental Capacity Act (2005)
• Mental Health Act (1983) and updates
• LeDeR process
• Transforming Care (2012)
• Building the Right Support (2015)
• Doctoral level of knowledge - advanced knowledge (and skills) in the use of complex methods of specialist assessment (including psychometric assessment), interventions and management, and their application with individuals with learning disabilities, autism or both
• Sound knowledge and ability to deliver on conducting audit and research methodologies
• Knowledge (and experience) of published journal articles, book chapters

Personal attributes/ Other

• Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in highly distressing and challenging circumstances
• Able to work flexibly, co-operatively as an equal member of the clinical team and respecting difference
• Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively and be a positive catalyst for change in driving service quality forwards
• Have excellent time management & work prioritisation skills
• Car driver (access to own car)

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.

Consultant Nurse & Clinical Services Manager