Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join an established Parent Infant Mental Health Service in Stockport. As a highly specialist clinical psychologist you will be integral to the development of the service, helping to shape the future of our service alongside an experienced and passionate team. You will be working with us to develop our inclusive practice, reaching out to diverse groups and vulnerable infants and their families, as well as shaping our work with our colleagues in perinatal mental health.
We warmly welcome applications from clinical psychologists who are dedicated to and passionate about PIMH, enjoy building relationships with others, and share our values of compassion and kindness. Please join us in working towards our ambition of becoming a gold standard PIMH service in Greater Manchester.
Main duties of the job
You will be based at Stopford House together with Stockport core CAMHS as we work towards the NHS long term plan ambitions of a comprehensive service from birth to 19. You will receive line management supervision from the clinical lead. You will have the chance to further develop your skills in PIMH assessment, formulation and specialist intervention through a variety of training opportunities. You will provide an individualised formulation driven service to families in Stockport from conception to age 2 as well as supporting the workforce through training, consultation and supervision regarding early years mental health from conception to reception.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* Delivery of Under 2’s clinical psychology service provision within the
parameters of child and adolescent mental health, in a multiagency context.
* To provide specialist psychological assessment for Under 2’s who may be experiencing severe, highly complex and persistent mental health difficulties and to make decisions about treatment options taking into account relevant evidence based research, theory, practice and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes.
* To formulate and implement plans for therapeutic intervention and
management from the point of referral.
* To develop specialist provision for the parents of infants and young children using models of practice employed within other Under 2’s services.
* To provide specialist expertise in psychological principles and techniques through advice and consultation to other members of the PIMH service and colleagues within the network.
Post-holder will be expected to hold and work their own caseload within the context of the PIMH service.
* To actively participate in PIMH weekly presentation, referral, CPD and business meetings.
* To attend and contribute as an independent clinician to multidisciplinary and multi-agency meetings as appropriate.
To ensure appropriate liaison with professionals from external agencies.
* To participate in the audit and evaluation of clinical work and the service as a whole.
* To contribute to the development of best evidence based practice within the service.
* To exercise autonomous professional responsibility based on the Code of Professional and Ethics of the HCPC.
* To be involved in PIMH service development as required.
* To work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team and communicate effectively regarding parents, infants and young children.
* To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of patients and manage a caseload in line with the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics of the HCPC.
* To assist in the management of the PIMH caseload, as required.
* To produce reports on families, in a timely manner, that convey the key findings of assessment, formulation and treatment outcome in a way which does justice to the complexity of the problems described; which takes account of confidentiality; and in a way which is understandable to the recipients of the reports.
* To participate in regular line management supervision.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
* Doctorate level training in clinical psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical, psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS or BPS Statement of Equivalence AND Eligibility for Chartered Clinical Psychology Status & HCPC registered.
Desirable criteria
* Parent-Infant Psychotherapy Training
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of working with patient groups presenting high levels of complexity, including infants, young children and families.
* Experience in psychotherapy/psychological assessment and therapeutic work with infants and young children and their families/ parents/carers with a full range of presenting problems.
* Experience of consulting with other professionals in Health, Education, Social Services and Local Authority.
* Experience of representing child clinical psychology within the context of multidisciplinary and multi-agency treatment and care.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of working in CAMHS and/or with infants and young children, prior to training as a Clinical psychologist
* Experience of Audit
* Experience of research
* Experience and knowledge of the developmental issues of under 2’s
* Experience of work or contact with adult mental health services.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Evidence of awareness of parental mental health in relation to infant/child mental health matters. Evidence of clinical supervision.
* Knowledge of legislation and national guidance in relation to the needs of infants and young children.
* Doctoral level (or equivalent) knowledge of child and adolescent clinical psychology, including highly developed knowledge of psychological theories and models of development, psychopathology, family and institutional dynamics.
* Working knowledge of professional systems involved in work with infant and young children, particularly in relation to the statutory framework around child protection
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Skills in the use of psychoanalytical methods of assessment, intervention and management in work with infants, and young children and families.
* Skills in co-working, liaison and consultation with others, especially with regard to highly complex families.
* Evidence of a capacity to work collaboratively and flexibly in a multi-disciplinary team context.
* High level of skill in assessing risk in the context of parent infant mental health and with young children.
* Ability to work with people from different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicity from one’s own.
* Demonstrate sensitivity in all contact with disadvantaged groups.
* High level of ability to communicate effectively (both written and verbal) complex, technical and clinically sensitive information to children, parents and carers and a wide range of professionals
* Ability to cope with stressful interpersonal situations, including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse and communicate in situations in which there may be barriers to the acceptance of communications.
* Good organisational skills.
* Evidence of continuing professional development as required by HCPC
📝 Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
We understand that some candidates may use AI tools to help prepare their application. This is not restricted, however, any AI support should only be used to enhance your own writing and must reflect your genuine skills and experience. You will be asked to talk about your application at interview. Applications that contain false or misleading information may be removed from the recruitment process.
We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.
If you have problems applying, contact
Address
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
225 Old Street
225 Old Street
OL6 7SR
Telephone
01617163181