Principal Applied Psychologist(UK Visa Sponsorship)
Job Description
Role Overview
We are inviting applications for a Principal Applied Psychologist to join our Intensive Support Team (IST) within the Adult Learning Disability Urgent Care pathway. This is a senior clinical leadership role focused on delivering psychologically informed, trauma-aware care to adults with complex needs requiring rapid, intensive intervention.
This post offers a rare opportunity to influence how psychology is embedded within a developing urgent care service. The successful candidate will help shape transformation work, guide clinical governance, and strengthen psychologically informed practice across both community and inpatient settings, including occasional support to Bankfields Inpatient Unit when required.
We welcome applications from established Principal Psychologists, as well as experienced Highly Specialist Psychologists seeking career progression, supported by structured mentoring and professional supervision.
What You Will Be Doing
As a senior psychologist within the IST, you will:
- Provide clinical leadership and supervision within a multidisciplinary urgent care team
- Deliver specialist psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention
- Lead the development of psychologically informed care models across urgent services
- Contribute to service improvement, workforce development, and governance
- Support recovery-focused, trauma-informed practice with service users and carers
- Supervise Assistant Psychologists and senior psychology staff
- Support doctoral psychology training placements and academic collaboration
Who This Role Suits
This role is ideal for a psychologist who is:
- Compassionate and grounded in trauma-informed values
- Skilled in leadership, consultation, and supervision
- Experienced working with learning disability, autism, or complex presentations
- Motivated to influence service development and clinical quality
- Committed to equity, inclusion, and person-centred care
- Experience in urgent, crisis, or intensive support settings is advantageous but not essential.
Professional Requirements
Applicants must hold:
- Doctoral-level training in Clinical, Counselling, or Forensic Psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society
- Registration as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Post-doctoral specialist training and clinical supervision competence
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Desirable: BPS professional registration.
Clinical Leadership & Governance
Psychologists within the Trust hold significant leadership responsibilities. This role aligns with frameworks developed by the NHS Leadership Academy, which support reflective leadership, quality improvement, and collaborative governance.
Working Environment & Development
We are a values-driven organisation prioritising staff wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth. Psychologists benefit from:
- Clear job planning and work-life balance emphasis
- Structured CPD and leadership development opportunities
- A psychologically safe, reflective team culture
- Access to teaching, supervision, and research activity
Explore NHS psychology career pathways:
NHS Careers
Safeguarding & Legal Requirements
- This role requires enhanced criminal background clearance through the UK Disclosure system
- Applicants requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome to apply. Immigration guidance
- Overseas criminal record certification requirements
Why Join This Service?
You will be part of a progressive urgent care pathway committed to:
- Trauma-informed, psychologically led intervention
- Service transformation and innovation
- Collaborative multidisciplinary practice
- Strong supervision culture and leadership support
This is an opportunity to influence how urgent psychological care is delivered regionally — while developing your own leadership voice within a supportive system.
