Job Description
About the Role
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is expanding its Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in West Somerset and is seeking a motivated and compassionate Clinical Psychologist to join our growing Psychology team.
This post is open to:
Experienced Band 8a Clinical Psychologists, and Band 7 Clinical Psychologists who wish to progress through a supported preceptorship pathway to Band 8a, with structured supervision, development opportunities, and clear progression milestones.
You will work as part of a highly supportive multidisciplinary CAMHS West team, delivering evidence-based psychological interventions to children, young people, and their families, while promoting psychological thinking across the service.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Clinical Psychologist within CAMHS West, you will:
Provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations, and interventions for children and young people experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties, including:
- Anxiety and depression
- Emotional dysregulation
- Self-harm and risk behaviours
- Eating disorders
- Act as Care Coordinator for a defined caseload, ensuring safe, effective, and person-centred care
- Offer consultation and psychological advice to colleagues within CAMHS and partner agencies
- Promote psychologically informed practice across the multidisciplinary team
- Contribute to clinical governance, audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives
- Supervise and support assistant psychologists, trainees, and junior staff, as appropriate
- Work collaboratively with education, social care, paediatrics, and other partner services
Why Join Somerset CAMHS?
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we value our staff and actively support both professional development and wellbeing. You can expect:
- Flexible working arrangements to support work–life balance
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Access to high-quality clinical supervision from experienced psychologists
- Ongoing training and CPD opportunities
- Eligibility for the Blue Light Card, providing national discounts on retail, leisure, and travel
Living and Working in Somerset
Somerset offers a unique lifestyle combining beautiful countryside, stunning coastlines, and vibrant nearby cities such as Bristol, Bath, and Exeter. With excellent schools, more affordable housing than many UK regions, and fast rail links to London, Somerset is an ideal place to grow your career and settle long-term.
Essential Qualifications & Registration
You must have:
- A Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent)
- Eligibility for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status
Current HCPC registration
https://www.hcpc-uk.org
Experience & Skills (Essential)
- Strong competence in psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention
- Experience working within CAMHS or child and adolescent mental health settings
- Confidence in risk assessment and risk management
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Post-qualification specialist training or CPD
- Experience providing clinical supervision
- Additional training in a specialist clinical area
Safeguarding & DBS
This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in line with safeguarding requirements.
Visa Sponsorship & Overseas Applicants
- Applications are welcome from candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. All applications will be assessed fairly and in line with UKVI requirements.
- Skilled Worker route information
- Overseas criminal record certificate guidance
- Applicants must also hold current UK professional registration at the time of appointment.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be an inclusive and diverse employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to thrive.