Job Description

Band 8a Clinical Psychologist



CAMHS Inpatient service - The Lookout



An exciting opportunity has become available to join the Therapeutic team at the Lookout Child and adolescent inpatient unit. We currently have a vacancy for a Band 8a, Clinical Psychologists full time (37.5 hours per week). We would also consider developing this role as a preceptorship post Band 7-8a and welcome applications from newly qualified clinical psychologists or those due to qualify in 2026.



The Lookout is a purpose-built unit and consists of three wards, (general admissions, eating disorders and Psychiatric intensive care) supporting young people aged 13 to 18. We have an onsite school and provide a range of recreational activities for our young people, including baking, music and trips out.



Despite the apparent specialist nature of the post, it offers an opportunity to use all the transferable skills gained through training in a rewarding setting.



The post will be part of the wider psychology provision serving all three inpatient units (covering general, PICU and eating disorders) and will be supported by senior colleagues including the Lead Clinical Psychologist.

Your main duties include:

Providing specialist psychological assessment of young people who reside within the Lookout facility.

Working with the MDT to implement psychological interventions for clients, their families and care systems.

Providing specialist psychological advice and consultation to other professionals

Contributing directly to client's formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.

Providing supervision and reflective practice groups for staff.

Taking an active role in service development and research.

Providing formal and informal training relating to psychological and mental health issues.



#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.



We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.



We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.



The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.



The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment



The postholder will become part of the psychology team serving all three inpatient units (covering general, PICU and eating disorders) and will be supported by senior colleagues including the Lead Clinical Psychologist. You will work with a varied caseload of young people



Psychologists are encouraged to pursue a range of CPD to further develop their skills. As a team we meet regularly for CPD and psychology specific business meetings. recent psychology training opportunities have included, CAT and CFT. There is also provision for peer supervision and specialist supervision where required. Clinical supervision is highly valued and Band 8a psychologists will be offered monthly supervision from a clinical psychologist. If entering the role as a band 7 preceptor, clinical supervision will be offered fortnightly for a period of time until it would transition to monthly.



Working on the units offers Psychologists the opportunity to work intensively with young people. The unit provides a holistic support package and young people benefit from accessing wider disciplines including occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, social work, psychiatry and nursing. You will hold a small caseload and work alongside a range of therapists including systemic, arts therapists and DBT. You will be key in shaping MDT care plans and developing and sharing formulations. In addition to 1:1 work you will be encouraged to consider and support team dynamics. For example, there will be opportunities to provide reflective practice groups, compassionate leadership and staff training.



Psychology is a well-respected discipline within the units and together the MDT has worked to create a psychologically informed environment. This is a great place to be a psychologist.



We work closely with psychologists across Nottinghamshire CAMHS and as such you would benefit from the integrated, friendly, and supportive group of over 15 Psychologists. These work in a variety of services including Community, Children Looked After services and other specialist services. There are good opportunities for joint projects, research and shadowing across all areas of CAMHS. There are good links with the DClinpsy courses at Trent, Sheffield and Leicester University. We are currently hosting Clinical trainees, Masters students and CAPs and would encourage the post holder to develop their supervision experience.



There is a monthly CAMHS research group that you may join if interested, which facilitates the development of both internal research ideas as well as larger multi-site studies.



Experience of working within or closely with inpatient services would be helpful but not essential.



If you wish to discuss any aspect of this job or wish to arrange an informal visit please contact Samantha Clarke via Samantha.clarke@nottshc.nhs.uk or 0115 8440500



Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details relating to the role.



P lease note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is 26.40 (standard) or 54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.



You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of 16 per year applies.