Job Description

JOB TITLE: Principle/ Lead Psychologist (HCPC Registered)

The Aspen Clinic Ltd - Salford

Job Type:

Full-time

Salary:

Competitive, commensurate with experience and scope of responsibility

Location:

Salford, M50 2ZY, with occasional travel across Greater Manchester and surrounding areas. This role is primarily based in the clinic. (Hybrid working available for the right candidate post-probation)

Start Date:

January 2026

Interview Dates:

Stage One (Online):

tbc

Stage Two (In-Person):

tbc

Remuneration and Benefits

Salary :

55,000.00-70,000.00

per annum (DOE) 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with length of service (pro rata) Annual leave purchase/sell scheme 3% employer pension contribution Comprehensive staff benefits package, including: Yearly performance-based bonus Individual wellness budget for activities and experiences Career development and training opportunities Company events Employee and store discounts Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Flexitime and hybrid working

Location and Travel

Primary location: Salford, M50 2ZY Hybrid remote working available for the right candidate Occasional travel across Greater Manchester and surrounding areas to support outreach, school liaison, and community care Access to a car is desirable; reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with company policy

Reporting To:

Clinic Manager (Operational Line Management) and Medical Director (Clinical Oversight)

Who We Are

The Aspen Clinic Ltd was founded in 2025 with a bold and compassionate mission: to transform how ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder services are delivered across the UK. We provide comprehensive screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support for adults, children, young people, and their families.

Our vision is simple but powerful--

to meet people where they are

, emotionally, practically, and geographically. We believe care should be accessible, affirming, and tailored to each individual's journey. Whether through clinical excellence, community outreach, or inclusive practice, we're here to redesign what psychological support can look and feel like.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for someone who's ready to grow with us--a values-driven individual who brings curiosity, compassion, and clarity to their work. You'll be joining a team that's reshaping the future of neurodevelopmental care through innovation, integrity, and inclusive practice.

Role Summary

We are seeking a compassionate, strategically minded HCPC-registered Psychologist (Clinical, Health, or Practitioner) to lead and shape our adult and CYP neurodevelopmental pathways. This is a full-time, senior leadership-level post designed with sustainability, agility, and clinical depth in mind.

The role spans both adult and CYP services, with protected time and governance structures to ensure clarity, safety, and reflective practice. You'll contribute to diagnostic assessment, formulation, intervention, supervision, and service development--supporting individuals with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, and co-occurring mental health needs.

Our model is lifespan-informed and values-driven. We recognise that while diagnostic frameworks and formulation principles may be shared across age groups, the lived experience, systemic context, and therapeutic needs of children, young people, and adults require distinct approaches. This role is designed to honour that nuance while enabling continuity of care, smoother transitions, and joined-up thinking across pathways.

You'll work within a multidisciplinary team--including Consultant Psychiatrists, Assistant Psychologists, and Allied Health Professionals--and contribute to inclusive, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirmative care. You'll also help shape service development, community engagement, and policy implementation, aligned with The Aspen Clinic's governance standards and Manchester's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2029.

This is a leadership role for someone who thrives in complexity, values collaboration, and is ready to model best practice across the lifespan. If you're committed to sustainable service design, clinical excellence, and inclusive care, we'd be proud to welcome you to our team

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership and Direct Care

Lead psychological assessments using psychometric tools, structured interviews, and observational methods across both adult and CYP pathways Oversee diagnostic formulation and care planning for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and learning disabilities Deliver evidence-based individual and group interventions (e.g. CBT, psychoeducation) Lead multidisciplinary formulation meetings and contribute to case conferences and planning meetings Maintain accurate clinical documentation and ensure compliance with GDPR and Caldicott principles Ensure care is person-centred, culturally sensitive, and neuro-affirmative Practice in an intersectionally-aware, trauma-informed, and attachment-informed way Support service user participation in care planning and service development Provide consultation and training to schools, referrers, and community organisations Stay current with research and integrate contemporary findings into clinical practice Adhere to HCPC and BPS codes of conduct and ethical guidelines

Supervision and Team Development

Supervise and mentor junior staff including Assistant Psychologists Lead referral meetings and contribute to decisions around clinical need and service access Support the development of psychoeducational materials and training resources Promote a psychologically safe, inclusive, and growth-oriented team culture

Governance, Quality, and Safety

Lead audit, evaluation, and service improvement initiatives Contribute to clinical standards, protocols, and policy development Identify and manage clinical risk, safeguarding concerns, and health and safety hazards Ensure compliance with Aspen Clinic policies, safeguarding procedures, and relevant legislation (e.g. Mental Health Act, Children Act, Mental Capacity Act) Promote client, carer, and public involvement in shaping services Participate in supervision, CPD, and performance appraisal systems

Communication and Representation

Communicate effectively with clients, families, and professionals--verbally and in writing Represent The Aspen Clinic in formal and informal settings, including conferences and outreach events Contribute to newsletters, reports, and internal communications Support high standards of hospitality and service experience for all visitors

Working Conditions and Flexibility

Based in Salford, with hybrid working available for the right candidate post-probation Opportunity to work from home in a confidential, well-connected space Occasional travel across Greater Manchester and surrounding areas for outreach, supervision, and partnership work

Access to a car is desirable

; reasonable travel expenses reimbursed in line with company policy Flexibility to work evenings/weekends to support service demand and work-life balance Cope with fast paced working environments with exposure to prolonged periods of concentration and emotionally demanding content

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications and Training

Doctorate in Clinical, Counselling, or Educational Psychology (DClinPsy, DCounsPsy, DEdPsych) from a BPS-accredited programme Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist Enhanced DBS clearance Formal training in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, including tools such as DIVA-5, ADOS-2, and/or ADI-R Training and/or accreditation in at least one therapeutic modality (e.g. CBT, systemic/family therapy, neuropsychology, EMDR) Qualification or substantial experience in clinical supervision

Essential Experience

Post-qualified experience working with both adults and children/young people presenting with complex mental health needs, neurodevelopmental conditions, and/or learning disabilities in a senior / Leadership role Significant experience delivering psychological assessments, including cognitive, psychometric, and structured diagnostic tools Demonstrated expertise in working with neurodiverse populations, including ADHD, Autism, and co-occurring conditions Experience supporting individuals with learning disabilities and adapting care to meet accessibility needs Experience working across a range of clinical settings, including community, outpatient, and multidisciplinary environments Proven experience supervising, mentoring, and/or line managing junior staff (e.g. Assistant Psychologists, trainees) Experience contributing to service development, audit, and policy implementation Experience working within multi-disciplinary and multi-agency networks

Essential Skills and Knowledge

Advanced ability to gather, interpret, and integrate clinical data from multiple sources to inform diagnosis and formulation Skilled in delivering meaningful, person-centred formulations that support understanding and engagement Confident in using clinical supervision to reflect on decision-making, improve practice, and support team development Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including report writing and collaborative working Strong time management, organisation, and prioritisation skills Ability to motivate others and lead with influence, clarity, and compassion Skilled in managing complex clinical presentations and navigating multi-layered systems of care Knowledge of national and local healthcare policy drivers, including NICE guidance and Manchester's Mental Health Strategy Thorough understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, and safeguarding legislation In-depth knowledge of HCPC and BPS professional standards, codes of conduct, and ethical frameworks

Decision-Making

Demonstrates confidence and clinical judgement in decision-making within scope of practice Skilled in differential diagnosis and navigating diagnostic complexity Recognises when to escalate decisions or involve senior colleagues and multidisciplinary partners

Behaviours and Values

Professional, personable, and values-led in all interactions Compassionate, empathetic, and committed to neuro-affirmative, trauma-informed care Champions innovation, best practice, and continuous improvement in psychological services Demonstrates resilience, self-awareness, and reflective capacity Acts as a role model for ethical leadership, inclusive practice, and psychological safety Committed to challenging discrimination and promoting intersectional equity across services and teams Understands how workforce diversity and inclusion impact clinical care, team culture, and organisational growth

Professional Eligibility

The postholder must be registered with the

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

as a

Practitioner Psychologist

in one of the following domains: Clinical, Counselling, Educational, or Health Psychology. This registration confirms that the individual has completed an approved doctoral-level training programme and meets the professional standards of proficiency, conduct, ethics, and continuing professional development as set out by the HCPC.

Applicants must also hold a psychology degree accredited by the

British Psychological Society (BPS)

, conferring eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), and must demonstrate a clear commitment to maintaining professional standards through supervision, reflective practice, and ongoing CPD.

Appointment is subject to

enhanced DBS clearance

and

satisfactory employment references

, in line with safeguarding and governance procedures.

General Data Protection Regulations

Under the provision of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR), it is the responsibility of every employee and volunteer to ensure that all data, whether electronic or manual, is kept secure at all times. This includes data relating to patients, members of staff and volunteers. Data must not be disclosed to any unauthorised person and must be regarded as strictly confidential at all times. Failure to adhere to this instruction will be regarded as serious misconduct and could lead to dismissal. Further information can be obtained from the Confidentiality and Information Governance including Caldicott and GDPR compliance procedure.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

This post is subject to an exception order under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This stipulates that all previous convictions, including those that are 'spent' must be declared. Previous convictions will not necessarily preclude an individual from employment within the Rowans Hospice but must be declared in writing at the appropriate stage during the recruitment process.

This Role Summary is not intended to be restrictive and should be taken as the current representation of the nature of the duties involved in your job alongside your KPIs. The Role Summary remains flexible to cope with the changing needs of the job and is subject to review in line with the services of The Aspen Clinic.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 55,000.00-70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount Flexitime Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Referral programme Work from home
Work Location: In person