Specialist Practitioner Psychologist/CBT Therapist

Go back South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Practitioner Psychologist/CBT Therapist

The closing date is 19 January 2026

Band 7 Practitioner Psychologist or CBT Therapist - Southwark Assertive Outreach Team

Although the postholder will be primarily based within the Assertive Outreach Team, they will provide some psychological input across the two Community Rehabilitation branches.

The three Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Team (AORT) branches provide enhanced support for people with a severe and enduring mental health problem, either due to their needs not being met within a traditional community team or because the service user has been placed within a block-funded rehabilitation placement within the borough. A range of psychological therapies are offered by the psychology and psychotherapy team within AORT and although NICE guidelines constitute the core offer (e.g., CBT for psychosis, Family Interventions for service users with a schizophrenia-spectrum diagnosis), flexibility, creativity and practice-based evidence is supported. This has included psychodynamic psychotherapy, systemic practices and Open Dialogue.

We are currently in the process of implementing a community services development plan in line with the NHS Long Term, which will mean that the assertive outreach function will be integrated within neighbourhood teams. We are therefore looking for someone who can work effectively within a changing operational landscape.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide specialist and flexible direct and indirect psychological input primarily within the Assertive Outreach team, but also within the other two AORT branches. Direct work will include individual, family/network and group work. Indirect work will involve consultation, training and provision of supervision where appropriate (e.g., trainee clinical psychologists, MSc students on clinical placement).

Each AORT branch has team formulation meetings underpinned by the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF), which is a key part of the strategy to embed trauma informed care within the teams. The postholder will be expected to support and lead on this ambition within AORT. They will have the opportunity to take advantage of supervision groups and/or special interest groups.

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.

We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good'.

We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone's potential as change makers.

The Trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.

Job responsibilities

This role will be based within the Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Teams (AORT), which is part of our borough Complex Care Pathway. AORT is a multi-disciplinary team that has a commitment to deliver excellent and responsive assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for people with severe and enduring mental health problems, who often present with a level of co-existing complex needs, including substance misuse, significant risk, engagement and social exclusion and who at times may present with extremely challenging behaviours.

To provide a specialist psychology service to service users, carers and social networks within the Southwark Assertive Outreach and Rehabilitation Team, including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.

To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.

To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate.

To undertake service evaluation, audit and research.

To work as an autonomous professional within BPS/HCPC/BABCP guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by the policies and procedures of the service, taking responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions with support of clinical supervisor

Person Specification Qualifications

• To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS. For Psychologists: Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration. (A/I) For CBT Therapists: Entry-level qualification in CBT Therapy that has been accepted by the BABCP. (A/I)
• Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist or by the BABCP as a CBT Therapist. (A/I)

Experience

• Experience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs. (A/I)
• Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature, including, but not limited to psychosis and addictions. (A/I)
• Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. (A/I)
• Experience of developing and carrying out service-related and/or research projects. (A/I)
• Experience of administering and interpreting complex cognitive and neuropsychological assessments. (A/I)
• Experience of working with families and/or carers.

Knowledge

• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment, including psychosis and addictions (A/I/R)
• Knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I/R)
• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care. (A/I/R)
• To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)
• Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis. (A/I/R)
• Advanced knowledge of trauma informed care practice and/or the Power Threat Meaning Framework. (A/I)
• Knowledge in the administration and interpretation of complex cognitive and neuropsychological assessments. (A/I)

Skills

• To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information. (A/I/R)
• To plan allocation of tasks to students/assistant/trainee psychologists as appropriate. (A/I/R)
• Consultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups and sensitively managing, a number of people's needs simultaneously within the context of therapeutic work/consultation. (A/I/R)
• To be skilled in the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials. (A/I/R)
• Skills in developing, implementing and/or evaluating Positive Behavioural Support plans. (A/I)

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.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs