Band 8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or 7/8a Preceptorship

We have an exciting vacancy for a newly qualified or early career Clinical or Counselling Psychologist within our Integrated Community Care and Recovery (ICCR) Services, working across two service areas with adults with mental health difficulties in the community. The post will be 0.5 with a vibrant community mental health team and 0.5 with the enhanced team for personality disorders, both located in the Solihull Hub. This is an ideal post to apply your full range of psychological skills and knowledge including consultation, training, supervision, service development, leadership and research in addition to direct clinical work.

We are looking for suitably experienced Clinical or Counselling Psychologists (or equivalent applied Psychological Practitioners). Based on experience, this post can be offered at a Band 8a or a Band 7/8a Preceptorship arrangement. Applicants from final year trainees in a Preceptorship arrangement are welcome.

It is a stimulating time in the service as the post-holders will be part of multi-professional teams supporting the Transformation of our Community Services in BSMHFT as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.

We welcome applications from those looking to build upon their clinical skills with a wide range of presenting difficulties post-qualification or those with more experience who are keen to develop specialisms and greater leadership roles to make a difference in the community.

Responsibilities

We are looking for enthusiastic, committed and skilled clinicians who can work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, to provide a range of clinical services. The individual will have opportunities to gain experience of multilevel and integrated service provision and to further develop skills in complex case assessment, formulation and the application of evidence-based psychological interventions, both individual and in groups. You should have experience of working with service users with complex mental health and behavioural needs; and be familiar with the needs of a diverse BAME community and working in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.

We have an established track record in service innovation, supporting a diverse range of clinical and academic interests, with time for research and teaching related activities built into many of our psychological professions job plans. There are clear career paths for psychologists in the service who join us, and we are committed to your development through training and supervision.

About Us

Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.

Our population is culturally diverse, with areas of high deprivation creating demand for our services. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.

Details

• Date posted: 12 September 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7 (with option for Band 8a depending on experience)
• Salary: £47,810 to £62,682 a year per annum, pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
• Reference number: 436-7315922-A
• Job locations: Lyndon Resource Centre, Winchcombe Road, Solihull, B92 8PW

Qualifications

Training/qualifications

• Essential: Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology
• Essential: Qualification for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist
• Desirable: Training/additional qualifications in an accredited therapy model (e.g., CBT, EMDR, DBT)

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in Secondary Care Mental Health services
• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment in at least two different types of care settings

Desirable

• Experience of working with service users presenting with personality difficulties/complex trauma/psychosis
• Experience of teaching, training and/or clinical supervision
• Experience of developing and running group-based interventions for clinical problems

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment commensurate with recent doctoral-level training
• Skills in formulation and implementing psychological interventions for complex presenting issues

Desirable

• High-level knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised psychological therapies

Personal

Essential

• Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism, and to reflect on and manage own emotions and those of others when faced with distressing material or challenging behaviour
• Ability to work independently, reliably, consistently and with initiative, seeking guidance when necessary
• Ability to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively

Desirable

• Personal experience of mental health problems (e.g., personal or as a carer/family member)

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the DBS will be required. Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Lyndon Resource Centre, Winchcombe Road, Solihull, B92 8PW. Employer's website: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/