Job Description

The closing date is 11th Dec 2025

Job summary

---------------


We are seeking an experienced Band 8a Clinical Psychologist or a Band 7 Clinical Psychologist looking to develop within a supportive preceptorship model.


You will play a pivotal role in our multi-disciplinary CAMHS Therapeutic Education Team, part of the innovative Homes and Horizons project - a unique partnership between the NHS, Social Care, Education, and The Shaw Trust. This project provides homes, therapeutic education, foster care, and trauma-informed environments for a cohort of complex young people in Somerset.


This role is ideal for someone eager to apply their psychological expertise across individual, systemic, and organizational levels to improve outcomes for young people and the systems that support them.


In our educational settings, you'll not only deliver direct clinical work but also help shape a rich therapeutic environment, working closely with staff to enable young people to reach their full potential. Beyond this, you'll contribute to developing sustainable, psychologically-informed processes that empower both young people and staff to thrive.


We welcome informal conversations about the role and look forward to hearing from you.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

-----------------------------------------


As a Clinical Psychologist in this innovative and dynamic project, you will provide a broad and impactful psychological service to young people and the systems that support them. This role requires a high level of adaptability, collaboration, and clinical expertise, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed and relational care.


Your key responsibilities will include:

Delivering comprehensive psychological assessments, including cognitive, adaptive functioning, risk assessments, and contributions to ADHD and autism diagnostic pathways. Developing collaborative formulations with young people and the adults around them to guide effective, trauma-informed interventions. Providing individual, group, and team-based interventions, and designing therapeutic packages for delivery by colleagues. Offering clinical supervision to team members and care home staff, supporting reflective practice and professional development. Contributing to service evaluation, audit, and research to inform ongoing development and ensure high standards of care. Helping to maintain and nurture the psychological, trauma-informed culture of the project. Delivering training to staff from a range of professional backgrounds to enhance psychological understanding and practice. Supporting the growth and sustainability of a complex, community-focused project, drawing on relational, systemic, and community psychology models.

About us

------------


At

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options

to help you balance work and life

NHS pension scheme

for long-term financial security

Generous annual leave allowance

to recharge and relax A strong focus on

career development

to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our

Blue Light Card

, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.


We are proud to foster a

diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce

, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers the perfect blend of

idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty

, and

breathtaking coastlines

, with vibrant cities like

Bristol

,

Bath

, and

Exeter

just a short drive away - and only two hours to

London

.


The region is home to excellent

educational facilities

, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all

- the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

-------------------


As a Clinical Psychologist in Therapeutic Education, you will:

Hold responsibility for a personal clinical caseload, often involving highly complex and emotionally challenging situations. Formulate and implement evidence-based treatment plans tailored to individual needs. Collaborate closely with multi-disciplinary teams and external agencies to ensure integrated care. Participate in clinical governance, audits, and service evaluation to maintain high standards of practice. Provide leadership in psychological thinking across the service, promoting trauma-informed approaches. Engage in research and encourage evidence-based practice within the team. Offer supervision and mentorship to trainees and less experienced staff. Maintain accurate records and adhere to Trust policies on confidentiality, safeguarding, and health & safety.

Person specification

------------------------

Qualifications

#

Essential

Doctoral Clinical Psychology qualification or equivalent as accredited by the BPS


Eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist status


Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council




#

Desirable

Relevant specialist CPD qualification


Clinical supervision training

Experience

#

Essential

Well-developed knowledge of specialist therapeutic interventions with the client group, underpinned by comprehensive theoretical knowledge


Ability to develop therapeutic relationships with young people and families in which the presentation is complex and the dynamic may involve rejection or disconnect


Teaching/training with psychology staff and other professions


Clinical Supervision experience




#

Desirable

Specialist post qualification experience in CAMHS / with young people


Work with Children who are looked after or in an education setting


Experience of working systemically with teams and/or across agencies


Experience of Service Development/Project Work


Consultancy work in multi-professional setting

Additional Criteria

#

Essential

Advanced psychological/ neuropsychological assessment and formulation skills


Doctorate level knowledge of research design and data analysis


Knowledge of the role & functions of other agencies in respect of children and young people


Own transport available for work purposes


Full UK driving licence


#

Desirable

Knowledge of legislation and its implications for clinical practice and professional management, including complex child protection issues


Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS and HCPC

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.


From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Dr Chris Clinch


chris.clinch@somersetft.nhs.uk

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

55690.00 to 62682.00 Yearly

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-Time

Reference number

Job locations

Foundation House

Wellsprings Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA2 7PQ


Trustwide

The Crescent

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 4DY