Job overview
We are inviting applications from enthusiastic Specialist Psychologist/Psychological Therapist/Psychotherapist/Arts Therapist/Family and Systemic Therapists for a Band 7 post with the ARFID Team, as part of our eating disorders service for children and young people. Are you someone who enjoys working with young people, is a team player, and is willing to be flexible according to client need? Do you have experience working with children and young people with eating difficulties or neurodiversity? Do you love to learn and want to make a real contribution to developing excellent standards of care? If so, we are keen to meet you and welcome applications from those who may be newly qualified.
We are a friendly, welcoming, innovative, national and specialist eating disorders team working with young people (2 - 17 years) and their families. We offer an inclusive and supportive team environment and are keen to support your professional development and wellbeing. Our multi-disciplinary team includes Clinical Psychology, Nursing, Dietetics, Psychiatry, and Paediatric posts, supported by a friendly Admin Team.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will provide a specialist service including assessment, treatment, monitoring of outcomes and the provision of clinical supervision, consultation and training. The post holder will also contribute to service evaluation, research and policy development. There are many opportunities available within the service in relation to continued professional development.
Key responsibilities:
• To provide specialist psychotherapeutic/ clinical intervention services to the MCCAED ARFID 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, functioning as a specialist in eating disorders in children and young people.
• To work as an autonomous professional within BPS, HCPC and other professional 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.
Working for our organisation
Flexible working:
As one of the few Trusts in London we are proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday in the time frames from 08:00 to 18:00, giving you the very best of good work life balance. (This may include working early mornings, later evenings or Saturdays as part of the core working hours/working pattern for this post)
About our locations:
Maudsley Hospital (headquarters)
Our Trust headquarters is located at Denmark Hill less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2) and is within walking distance from the beautiful green spaces of Ruskin Park and the vibrant high-street that offers great shopping opportunities and with a wide range of restaurants. (Due to move to the Pears Maudsley Children and Young People (PMCYP) at the Maudsley Hospital in early 2026)
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The main purpose of this post is to fulfil the role of a band 7 Clinical Psychologist (or counselling psychologist, family therapist, clinical nurse specialist) delivering the highest quality care in a national and specialist service for children and young people with eating disorders. The post holder will be expected to:
• Provide specialist psychotherapeutic/clinical assessments and interventions to the ARFID team, MCCAED, based at the Michael Rutter Centre, part of the National and Specialist Services based at the Michael Rutter Centre, supporting children and young people with eating disorders and their families.
• Contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.
• Provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate.
• Undertake service evaluation, audit, and research.
• Work as an autonomous professional within BPS, HCPC and other professional 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
Essential criteria
1. Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration. (A/I)
2. 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.
3. Registered with professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/UKCP/BABCP
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Experience of assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature. (A/I)
5. Experience of working with Eating Disorders.
Desirable criteria
6. Experience of working with children and young people with ARFID (A/I)
7. Experience of working with children and young people with neurodivergence (ASD/ADHD) (A/I)
Knowledge
Essential criteria
8. Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment Eating Disorders. (A/I/R)
9. Knowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and it’s therapeutic application. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I/R)
Desirable criteria
10. Knowledge of the potential physical risks associated with eating disorders (A/I)
Skills
Essential criteria
11. To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers (and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews where appropriate).
12. 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)
Desirable criteria
13. Skills in working with families (A/I)
14. Skills in working with young people presenting with risky behaviours such as self-harm (A/I)
Abilities
Essential criteria
15. Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I/R)
Desirable criteria
16. Ability to treat co-morbidities such as OCD, anxiety, depression and self-harm. (A/I)