Job Description

Across Learning Disability Services in Gloucestershire there are several qualified and pre-qualification Psychologists who work closely together to promote a psychologically informed approach to supporting people with a learning disability . A broad range of psychological models are drawn upon and valued across the service and clinicians are encouraged to develop areas of special interest. We have a good track record of supporting ongoing CPD and there are regular meetings of Psychologists across teams and specialities to consider professional issues, service innovation and joint working. As a Trust we have close links with the Doctorate Training Course at Bath University and regularly take trainees on placement, also inputting to the course curriculum.



You will join a strong and welcoming multi-disciplinary team, working to deliver an applied psychology model that promotes and supports effective psychological outcomes through direct and indirect models of working and therefore consultation, teaching and staff support will form an essential component of the post alongside direct clinical work.



Good relational skills, leadership qualities, a positive approach in work, and a solid understanding of psychological approaches for the client-group are all essential requirements for this post. We welcome applications from interested applicants with relevant post-qualification experience and expertise in learning disabilities and autism, along with appropriate HCPC registration.



To be responsible for promoting the psychological health and well-being of people with a Learning Disability referred to the Community Learning Disabilities Team.



To directly provide and at band 8a co-ordinate highly specialist psychological assessment and intervention services to individuals/ groups/organisations, using a variety of applied psychology models.



To provide clinical supervision for pre-qualified psychology staff according to experience and general/specialist psychological model and at band 8a to provide placements and supervision to Doctoral Clinical Psychology trainees and other psychological practitioners in training.



To participate in relevant research and audit activity and at band 8a to utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development



To provide clinical services within the service area covered by the community team and wider LD Psychology service. The CLDT's comprise of another qualified Psychologist and a range of multi-disciplinary staff.

Service delivered in a wide range of settings and locations:

client homes, residential services, day care, educational facilities, GP practices, office / clinic, hospital wards.



Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting your application.



The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the /Person Specification.



We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues working in a diverse range of services over 55 sites and within people's homes. We strive to enable a welcoming workplace culture that builds and celebrates civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust.



Annual staff surveys, regular Pulse surveys and other engagement opportunities provide our people with lots of opportunity to tell us about their experiences of working with us. In the latest staff survey, 61% of colleagues gave us their views. It was great to hear that:



72% of colleagues would recommend the Trust as a place to work, ranking us 1st for Provider Trusts in the South West region on this question.

76% would recommend the standard of care provided in our services if a friend or relative needed treatment, also ranking us 1st in the South West region.

81% said that care of patients and service users is the Trust's priority, compared with an average in comparable NHS Trusts in England of 64%.



This high-level overview shows we are in a healthy position, with higher scores than average for comparable organisations, alongside a great response rate, indicating good staff engagement. However, we also know we have plenty of room for improvement in many areas. To that end, we continue to prioritise and invest in our commitment to genuinely becoming a Great Place to Work with consistent top-quartile performance in the annual staff survey and Pulse surveys.



The successful candidate will join a strong and welcoming multi-disciplinary CLDT that is co-located with Teams that work with other client groups. The role requires effective work within this context in order to provide a service to service-users with Learning Disabilities, their families, and carers.



There are 6 other qualified Psychologists working within the Learning Disability Service in Gloucestershire. Working relationships are excellent and you will be well supported. A broad range of psychological models are drawn upon and valued. Clinicians are encouraged to develop areas of special interest and we have a good track record of supporting CPD. We have close links with the Doctorate Training Course at Bath University and regularly support a number of training placements. There are regular meetings of Psychologists across teams to consider professional issues, service innovation, and joint working initiatives.



You will be able to demonstrate professional and clinical skills directly relevant to the specialism including the use of psychological assessment methods and formulation based interventions. This post would appeal to those who have a 'can do' attitude, and who would relish the opportunity to continue developing the service. The role requires an adaptable, flexible, resilient, hard-working team member who has excellent organisational skills and the ability to use their own initiative.



We welcome discussion/applications both from those with the relevant experience and HCPC registration, and also from those who are about to qualify / have more recently completed training. In the latter case we would discuss amendments to role with a view to appointing at Band 8a, or Band 7, supporting progression to Band 8a role.



The Trust is required to work in line with the Government's UK Visa and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For more information about sponsorship for certain roles, please visit - https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas



When joining us, as well as becoming part of a team that makes a difference, we also offer:



Free car parking at many of our sites



27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service



A broad range of training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7 qualification.



A multi-professional preceptorship programme for all Newly Qualified; Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Social Workers, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners.



Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when if you work unsocial hours



Flexible, family friendly and agile working opportunities



Recognition and long service awards



Fast Track physiotherapy



Our Wellbeing line



Access to discounts and salary sacrifice schemes; including Cycle to Work, Car scheme and discounts on travel, leisure and retailers.



For more information please see the attached 'Additional Information for Applicants' document.