Job overview

If you are an enthusiastic and motivated HCPC registered Clinical / Counselling Psychologist interested in working with adults with learning disabilities, we look forward to you joining our well-established service. A full-time permanent Band 7 position has arisen in NELFT Learning Disabilities Psychological Services, based in the multi-disciplinary Barking and Dagenham Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) who work in an integrated approach with our client group.  The post holder will be supported by the Senior Psychologist, Principal Psychologist and Professional Lead of the service. 

Our service comprises clinical psychologists, behaviour specialists, art therapists, systemic/family therapists, assistant psychologists, clinical associate in psychology (CAP) and trainees from the Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling training courses based in London. The post-holder will  work closely with the local Talking Therapies service to support access to mainstream services for our clients. We focus on trauma informed and culturally sensitive care for people with learning disabilities and their families.

We have excellent opportunities for enhancing clinical skills through CPD, peer support and service development and have regular Trust wide forums to meet as Learning Disabilities Psychological Professionals, including specialist systemic and EMDR supervision. We have a vibrant and active R&D department.

Main duties of the job

To provide a qualified, high-quality specialist Learning Disability Psychology Professional service to individuals, carers, families and groups, within and across the Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) and support the Talking Therapies (TT) service towards the needs of people with learning disabilities referred to the service in line with best, evidence-based practice and trust care pathways.

2   To be responsible for holding and managing a clinical caseload to clients referred to the Community Learning Disability Teams and utilising planning and organisational skills, to exercise autonomous assessment, treatment and discharge of clients, within the parameters of the service operational policy and professional responsibility for the planning and prioritising of own workload 

   To employ analytical and judgment skills and be responsible for taking clinical management decisions in complex clinical issues.  

•  To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a senior clinical/counselling psychologist and, where appropriate, other senior professional colleagues specialising in specific disorders or therapeutic modalities.

Working for our organisation

North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) requires the highest standards of personal and professional conduct from all of its employees.  All employees must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct appropriate to their professional governing body.

As an NHS employee, you are required to observe the following principles:

·       Make the care and safety of patients my first concern and act to protect them from risk.

·       Respect the public, patients, relatives, carers, NHS staff and partners in other agencies.

·       Be honest and act with integrity.

·       Accept responsibility for my own work and the proper performance of the people I manage.

·       Show my commitment to working as a team member of working with all my colleagues in the NHS and the wider community.

· Take responsibility for my own and continuous learning and development