Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join an experienced national team of researchers to pilot and evaluate a joint response for young people experiencing mental health crisis. The response includes a collaboration between Greater Manchester Police and young people\'s mental health services. This three-year pilot will provide one three-year full-time post or two part-time posts to Senior Mental Health Practitioners/Clinical Psychologists/Equivalent who are committed to improving crisis care for young people. The appointee(s) will have the opportunity to work flexibly across the Greater Manchester area, collaborate closely with the research team and associated stakeholder groups, and experience first hand the live evaluation of an innovative and collaborative approach to care.
Main duties
The post advertised will be instrumental in the success and development of crisis pathways for children and young people. Learning from this study will inform future planning at a national level, offering an exciting opportunity to contribute towards the development of future clinical practice for young people experiencing mental health crisis. Working alongside clinical staff and the research team, you will respond rapidly to requests for assistance when a young person presents in crisis. You will contribute to the assessment and management of young people in crisis within a clear and structured risk assessment and risk reduction framework, and identify therapeutic goals to support the young person and families/carers. You will refer on to specialist in-patient services as necessary or work collaboratively with other services to reduce the need for inpatient care. You will develop holistic, safety and recovery focused care plans and mobilise support around the child and family to promote resilience and reduce the likelihood of future crisis episodes. As a research-based practitioner, you will feed into the wider multi-disciplinary team and liaise with the research and clinical teams. Direct work with young people will take place in the family home or out-of-home placements, clinical areas, community settings, or neighbourhood environments. Hours will be set within a 24-7 crisis context. Travel across Greater Manchester with the designated police officer will be required.
About us
To ensure the systematic provision of a high-quality, evidence-based and psychologically informed services for young people experiencing a mental health crisis. To facilitate increased psychological awareness, particularly in relation to triggers and trauma, offering case-based consultation and bespoke training with the police, NHS practitioners, and vulnerable young people and families. To create opportunities within the team to encourage staff to reflect on the emotional impact of the work both individually and as a team and to take steps to mitigate some of these risks. To work with colleagues through crisis responses impacted by critical incidents and other traumatic events. To provide expert consultation, advice and support in formulating and understanding the behaviours and presentations of children and young people. To contribute to multi-agency working arrangements designed to support the health, well-being and safety of children, young people and families. To work autonomously within professional guidelines, liaising between the research team and clinical team. To take responsibility for developing strong, collaborative relationships with staff and managers associated with emergency responses and crisis care. To utilise research skills for audit, evaluation, policy, and service development purposes within the context of the NIHR HS&DR funded pilot.
Details
Date posted: 30 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum, Pro Rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 14 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 311-M248-25-A
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities – Clinical
To work with members of the crisis teams and CAMHS to rapidly develop psychological formulations about children and/or families in crisis. To use formulations to provide sound, evidence-based guidance to colleagues, families, carers and young people. To provide clinical advice and notes that clearly outline the information guiding the formulation with clear guidance about risk and next steps. To ensure mental health risks discussed in crisis callouts are shared appropriately within the crisis pathways and working relationships with GMP. To use the formulation to inform other professionals on understanding and working in accordance with the formulation to improve outcomes and reduce risk for young people. To contribute to the multi-disciplinary teams\' psychological understanding of young people and their families and offer guidance to improve mental health and other outcomes. To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for your work. To participate in multi-disciplinary risk assessment, utilising clinical guidelines to support formulation processes, and to document formulations and recommendations. To support families and professionals to understand and take positive risks as part of an agreed plan. To report adverse incidents for clinical and research purposes and ensure documentation is detailed. To communicate information concerning assessment, formulation, and treatment plans of young people engaging with crisis services in a skilled and sensitive manner. To provide expertise, brief evidence-based therapeutic support, and to facilitate effective and appropriate provision of psychological care. To create a psychologically safe space to consider the impact of the work and mitigate risks to wellbeing. To utilise knowledge about vicarious trauma to help teams reduce secondary trauma. To gain, evaluate, disseminate and implement research findings. To review and reflect on practice through supervision and appraisal. To keep detailed clinical and research notes to inform ongoing care and the research study. To obtain informed assent/consent for inclusion from prospective participants in research activities. To conduct and document risk assessment in therapeutic and training situations, balancing individual needs, therapeutic goals, and risk minimisation.
Teaching, training and supervision: To provide training and workshops to professionals within Greater Manchester, particularly on psychological trauma and research findings. To identify clinical training needs and work towards addressing them. To maintain and develop postgraduate training and supervision skills. To receive regular supervision from senior clinicians and, where appropriate, other senior colleagues. To contribute to teaching and training of clinical/psychology trainees as appropriate. To participate in supervision in accordance with professional standards. To maintain a personal development plan and CPD. To provide clinical supervision to psychologists and other professionals, and undertake management training as appropriate. To represent senior clinical psychology colleagues at service meetings and adhere to professional codes of conduct. To take part in audit and peer review and maintain high standards of practice. To keep up-to-date with legislation and local policies affecting the client group.
Management, recruitment, policy and service development: To maintain activity spreadsheets and feedback mechanisms; contribute to reports and policy documents; review services delivered; refine treatment protocols with the chief investigator. To promote good practice regionally and nationally. To participate as a senior clinician in developing a high-quality, accessible service. To manage resources in line with SoECAT and project budget and ensure governance of psychological practice.
Research and service evaluation: To utilise theory and evidence-based literature to support best practice; undertake research and provide advice to staff; initiate project management including audits and service evaluations; contribute to policy and practice development with detailed records.
General: To maintain high professional standards through CPD; engage in supervision and appraisal; adhere to professional codes of practice; maintain records in line with BPS standards; stay updated on legislation and policy related to the client group.
Note: This job description is not exhaustive; other duties may be required and will be reviewed through the agreed process.
Person specification
Qualifications – Essential
* Registered practitioner psychologist with the HCPC OR Registered social worker or mental health nurse with relevant experience in psychologically informed multi-agency settings OR HCPC registered professional with postgraduate qualification in evidence-based psychological therapy to Masters level or equivalent OR Therapy qualification and accreditation recognised by the Professional Standards Authority (e.g., UKCP, BABCP, BACP, BPC) to Masters level or equivalent
* Training in supervision of psychological therapists and/or other professionals within the MDT
* Post-Masters training in one or more specialised areas of psychological practice
Desirable
* Post-qualification training in specialist work with children, young people and families (e.g., DBT, CBT, EMDR, IPT, FT)
* Training and experience in delivering specialist group work or staff support
Experience – Essential
* Experience in NHS or other relevant settings providing consultation or case-based formulation in a psychologically informed, multi-agency setting
* Experience of multi-agency safeguarding work
* Experience across a range of settings including outpatient, community and inpatient with varied clinical severity
* Experience of maintaining professionalism and self-care in distressing work
* Experience of responsibility for clients\' care within a multidisciplinary plan
* Experience of assessing/intervening around child protection issues
* Experience of representing complex therapy within multidisciplinary settings
* Experience of teaching multi-agency professionals and developing training
* Experience of delivering clinical supervision/consultancy with multiagency staff
Desirable
* Experience as a qualified practitioner psychologist
* Experience applying psychology in different cultural contexts
* Experience in crisis/acute care
* Experience supervising trainees or staff within an MDT
* Experience with service audit or project management
* Involvement in service development in adult/children\'s services
* Experience providing staff support after serious incidents
Knowledge – Essential
* Highly specialised knowledge of mental health issues and interventions
* Knowledge of assessment, formulation, and trauma-focused therapies
* Knowledge of organisational development and team dynamics
* Knowledge of child development and complex needs
* Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures
* Knowledge of issues around exploitation/violence in children
* Knowledge of services involved with families with complex needs
* Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
* Knowledge of specialized assessment methodologies for children/young people
* Specialist trauma-focused therapy training
* Knowledge of government policies and national guidance on CAMHS
* Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methods
Skills – Essential
* Time-limited brief therapies and consultation skills with individuals and groups
* Ability to work with professionals across agencies
* Resilience when exposed to trauma material
* Excellent oral and written communication of technical information
* Ability to develop and use complex multimedia materials for presentations
* Experience with complex psychological assessment and ongoing concentration
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Work-related circumstances – Essential
* Ability to support professionals exposed to distressing situations
* Knowledge of governance mechanisms for safe practice under emotional load
* Willing to undergo additional vetting and training due to police/CAMHS setting
* Access to transport across Greater Manchester
* Commitment to Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies
* Enhanced DBS disclosure may be required
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure submission to the DBS will check for any previous convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. For information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks is available.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for details.
Employer details
Pennine Care NHS FT
Trust HQ, 225 Old Street, Ashton under Lyne, OL6 7SR
Employer\'s website: https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk
#J-18808-Ljbffr