Job Description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Senior Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical, Forensic, or Counselling) to join our Acute & Urgent Care pathway in Worthing, West Sussex, just 20 minutes from Brighton.



The post holder will be based at Meadowfield Hospital, which includes:



Two adult wards

An older adult ward

A Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHT), soon relocating to the Worthing Integrated Care Centre

Key Responsibilities:

Supervision:

Provide supervision to psychological practitioners within the CRHT.

Clinical Input:

Offer assessment, formulation, and treatment for adults on acute wards with a range of mental health difficulties.

Psychologically Informed Care:

Collaborate with hospital teams to deliver and enable psychologically informed care and facilitate liaison across the urgent care pathway.

Service Development:

Work closely with the CRHT Service Manager and Acute Ward Matrons to develop psychological interventions, improve care pathways, and ensure smooth transitions to neighbourhood teams for a positive patient experience.

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking a candidate with:

Strong leadership skills

Enthusiasm and passion for acute work

Experience in psychological assessment and intervention

A commitment to service improvement and patient care



This role provides a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in acute and urgent care while being part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and professional development.



This role involves direct, face-to-face work with service users experiencing acute mental health crises. The successful applicant will:



Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, supporting individuals with complex needs and significant levels of risk.

Provide evidence-based psychological interventions for clients in crisis, as well as their families and carers.

Contribute to staff training, wellbeing initiatives, service development, reflective practice, and case formulation with teams.

Have opportunities to engage in supervision and CPD, with access to specialist supervision in areas such as EMDR and high-risk case management.

What We're Looking For:

Applicants should have:

Doctoral-level training in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, with registration through the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Experience of working in an evidence-based way with individuals presenting with severe mental health difficulties, people in crisis, and their families/carers.

Experience of working within a multidisciplinary acute and/or urgent care context.

Knowledge and experience in cognitive assessments (desirable).



Psychological Therapies are highly valued within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT), and psychological therapists occupy a range of senior positions across the Trust. The Trust is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with leadership programs and mentoring opportunities available for Psychological Therapies staff from underrepresented groups.



Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and learning disability care across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire. As a teaching Trust, we are recognized as one of the country's leading teaching mental health organizations.



We actively encourage flexible working arrangements to promote a positive work-life balance. Options such as part-time hours, home working, and flexible start/finish times are available wherever possible. If it works for you and the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

Living and Working in West Sussex:

Enjoy easy access to both the coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and vibrant seaside towns.

West Sussex is the sunniest county in the UK, making outdoor activities even more enjoyable.

Brighton is nearby, and London is accessible in under 90 minutes.

Excellent local schools, nurseries, and playgroups (visit Good Schools Guide for more information).



We are proud to have been rated 'Good' overall and 'Outstanding' for caring by the CQC. In our recent staff survey, 82% of staff agreed that patient care is our top priority.

What We Offer:

Opportunities to shape psychosis pathways and increase access to psychological therapies

Strong links to research and development, as well as local universities

Support through supervision, CPD, and excellent local and regional networks

A focus on staff wellbeing and collaboration with Surrey University's Clinical Psychology training program



This post is ideal for someone with a strong interest in multidisciplinary working with service users experiencing mental health crises. The role involves:



Supporting individuals with complexity and significant risk who require acute care.

Contributing to service development initiatives, including staff wellbeing and reflective practice.

Participating in staff training and providing case formulations for teams.

Engaging in valuable supervision and CPD opportunities to support professional development.



Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to service developments at Meadowfield Hospital, a unit leading innovation in Sussex and nationally. Current initiatives include:

Complex Emotional Needs Pathway:

Meadowfield has introduced and is measuring a new care pathway for individuals with complex emotional needs, with potential for wider implementation across Sussex.

Psychologically Informed Crisis Teams:

In collaboration with the Psychological Professional Lead for Acute Services, Meadowfield is advancing more psychologically informed crisis teams locally, aligning with the QNCRHT review.



The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in these initiatives while working alongside a supportive, forward-thinking Acute and Urgent Care leadership team dedicated to best practices.