Job Description

Are you passionate about using a breadth of psychological skills to proactively support people with learning disabilities and their care networks?



Are you progressive in your thinking, recognising the need for systemic, trauma informed interventions for people with learning disabilities who may communicate distress through behaviour?



Would you like to work in dynamic and innovative services that strive to be at the forefront of support for people with learning disabilities?



Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS trust have a post for a passionate, motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our welcoming team of psychologists in a band 7 to 8a development post 0.8WTE.



We are continually striving to develop our ant- discriminatory practice and we have taken a lead on our divisional strategy on equity.



The postholder will be based in the Intensive Support Service and will also be embedded within our two CTPLD's across Surrey and Northeast Hants.



If you are a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, looking for a supportive and sustainable NHS role, then we really look forward to hearing from you.

Main duties:

To provide highly specialist expertise to the assessment, formulation and intervention for people with learning disabilities as part of our evidence based psychological pathways.



To provide highly specialist consultation and direct contribution to the development of understanding individuals needs and trauma informed support plans. To work with others within health and social care services, service providers, families and carers to deliver high quality care To work autonomously and to effectively function as a member of the multi-disciplinary team.

Please note that this is a 0.8 WTE permanent band 7 development opportunity and funding has been secured for the appointed candidate to progress to a band 8A Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist position once agreed clinical and leadership competencies have been met. Unless 8a competencies are met at the time of application, the successful candidate will commence in post at band 7 and then work towards individualised competencies as discussed with the Manager and Psychology Lead. We welcome applications from newly qualified psychologists or trainee psychologists due to qualify in 2025.



Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.



We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.



Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.



Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.



We look forward to receiving your application!



This is a post to support adults with learning disabilities in the community who are at risk of admission or placement breakdown working closely with our adult Community Teams for people with Learning Disabilities (CTPLD's).



It is focused on supporting our holistic pathway for people referred who may communicate distress through behaviour.



It involves promoting quality of life, health and wellbeing for people with significant learning disabilities using evidence-based psychological practices.



Using a trauma Informed approach and an understanding of 'behaviour caused by distress in a progressive and relational framework. The postholder will work with the multi-disciplinary team to provide high quality care to people using services.



The postholder will be based in the Intensive Support Service and will also be embedded within our two CTPLD's across Surrey and Northeast Hants.



Our services are dedicated to working with people who would be unable to access mainstream services and require specialist learning disability health support.



This job is suitable for someone who is passionate about ensuring a high -quality holistic approach to the care and support provided to people with learning disabilities.

Qualifications required:

Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology or other relevant HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist qualification or equivalent.

Experience required:

Experience of working clinically with people who have learning disabilities and express their distress through behaviour.



Experience in the development of trauma-informed support plans.



Experience of working with individuals who have significant communication difficulties.



Attendance and participation at multi-disciplinary meetings.



Experience of teaching and training others, using a variety of multi-media materials.



Experience of working with complex systems at times of high expressed emotion including families, carers and paid providers.



Experience of multi-disciplinary team working.



Experience of taking a lead professionally.



Experience of effective collaborative working or network development with a range of professional groups/ organisations.



It is essential to hold a driver's license and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Band 8a (in addition to Band 7 responsibilities):

Experience of supervising assistant and trainee clinical psychologist.



Demonstrable post registration/clinical experience and competency relevant to this care group.



Experience of contributing to clinical practice/service development/project work.



Demonstrable interest/skill in a relevant specialist area.



Experience of holding own caseload of complex individuals.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership



To positively contribu t e to divisional developments.

To advocate and represent the service.

To contribute to the development and imp l e m e ntation of appropriate policies, protocols and care pathways.

To contribute to initiatives to ensure that the needs of people with protected characteristics are addressed within local services and future developments.



Clinical



Working broadly with systems

Clinical leadership on complex cases.

To undertake comprehensive risk assessments and develop effective risk management plans.

To work in partnership with acute and primary care services and other health and social care providers.

To establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, other agencie s , people who use services and their families.



Additional Responsibilities People with Learning Disabilities (PLD)



To practice within a Positive Behaviour Support and trauma informed care framework.



To contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of interventions driven by government initiatives e.g. Transforming



Care, LD Mortality review to promote positive health gains for clients.



Conducting cognitive assessments and using the information to contribute to diagnosis and packages of care.