Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Psychological Therapist who is passionate about clinical work and about developing and improving high quality mental health services in Bristol.
We are looking for someone interested in working with people inhigh levels of distress at a time of crisis.
We are in an exciting period of transformation. This includes building stronger links with inpatient services, as well as supporting the use of the Comprehend, Cope and Connect model across the system, via the training and supervision of multidisciplinary staff in this model.
We would like someone willing to lead a small team of Psychological Practitioners working into the Crisis teams across the city. This role will involve working within the North Bristol Crisis Service for two days a week. The third day will be dedicated to leadership tasks related to the role. The successful applicant will work alongside the other leadership staff in the Crisis Service to implement exciting service changes, ensuring Psychologically-Informed Practice. You will be delivering specialist psychological assessment, therapy, and consultation, and will be supporting staff in delivering psychological interventions under supervision.
Main duties of the job
o To provide highly specialist psychological assessment and therapy to service users and carers using the North Bristol Crisis Service.
o To provide highly specialist advice and consultation on clients' formulation and psychological management to other non-psychologist colleagues.
o To use highly specialist psychological knowledge and skills to contribute to the more effective management of patients by the North Bristol Crisis Team and across Bristol Crisis Services.
o To take on a Lead role for CPI Crisis provision in the Complex Psychological Interventions Service (CPI), including Service Development.
o To hold management Supervision for other Psychological Practitioners working in the Crisis Service.
o To clinically supervise trainees and less experienced psychological therapy staff, and other professionals.
o To contribute to audit, research, policy and service development within the areas served by the Complex Psychological Interventions Service.
o To develop and deliver training in psychological therapies for multidisciplinary staff.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Details
Date posted
24 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
£55,690 to £62,682 a year pro rata (Pay award pending)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
342-BR
Job locations
Gloucester House
Southmead Hospital
Bristol
BS10 5NB
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work within/link with the Complex Psychological interventions (CPI) service. The CPI are afriendly and supportive team, who are highly valued within local services. They offer a range of activities to support psychologically informed carewithin the secondary mental health service, developing and delivering psychological therapies.
The team are comprised of multidisciplinary professions, including Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Arts Psychotherapists, Medical Psychotherapists and Specialist Nurses.
As a part of the CPI team, you will receive excellent support and supervision from more senior and well-established CPI members who work within a range of therapeutic specialisms. There are also opportunities to link with psychological therapist colleagues and participate in regular case presentations and peer learning and development through the CPI.
The CPI have links to local training institutions and Universities, bringing opportunities for teaching, mentoring, and research. The CPI also work tosupport opportunities to develop staff through ongoing professional training and development, both internally and externally.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work within/link with the Complex Psychological interventions (CPI) service. The CPI are afriendly and supportive team, who are highly valued within local services. They offer a range of activities to support psychologically informed carewithin the secondary mental health service, developing and delivering psychological therapies.
The team are comprised of multidisciplinary professions, including Clinical Psychologists, Counselling Psychologists, Arts Psychotherapists, Medical Psychotherapists and Specialist Nurses.
As a part of the CPI team, you will receive excellent support and supervision from more senior and well-established CPI members who work within a range of therapeutic specialisms. There are also opportunities to link with psychological therapist colleagues and participate in regular case presentations and peer learning and development through the CPI.
The CPI have links to local training institutions and Universities, bringing opportunities for teaching, mentoring, and research. The CPI also work tosupport opportunities to develop staff through ongoing professional training and development, both internally and externally.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
* Degree and Masters level qualification, or equivalent experience
* Doctoral Clinical/ Counselling Psychology qualification, qualification as a Psychotherapist or Arts Psychotherapist at an accredited training institution or equivalent professional qualification.
* HCPC Registration, professional registration as an adult Psychotherapist, Arts Psychotherapist or Clinical Psychologist with UKCP, or other relevant body.
* Post qualification and further specialist training in specified specialist intervention.
* Significant experience of working in the NHS alongside multidisciplinary colleagues
* Clinical supervision/ consultation with other professionals.
* Evidence based therapeutic interventions with client group.
* Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the specialism. Ability to use this knowledge to think systemically/ organisationally
* Experience of risk assessment and management
* Experience of delivery of training
Desirable
* Supervision Training
* Experience of Working psychologically with people experiencing acute mental health crises
* Experience of brief models of intervention, assessment and formulation of people in high levels of distress
* Relevant R&D or clinical audit work post qualification
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
* Degree and Masters level qualification, or equivalent experience
* Doctoral Clinical/ Counselling Psychology qualification, qualification as a Psychotherapist or Arts Psychotherapist at an accredited training institution or equivalent professional qualification.
* HCPC Registration, professional registration as an adult Psychotherapist, Arts Psychotherapist or Clinical Psychologist with UKCP, or other relevant body.
* Post qualification and further specialist training in specified specialist intervention.
* Significant experience of working in the NHS alongside multidisciplinary colleagues
* Clinical supervision/ consultation with other professionals.
* Evidence based therapeutic interventions with client group.
* Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the specialism. Ability to use this knowledge to think systemically/ organisationally
* Experience of risk assessment and management
* Experience of delivery of training
Desirable
* Supervision Training
* Experience of Working psychologically with people experiencing acute mental health crises
* Experience of brief models of intervention, assessment and formulation of people in high levels of distress
* Relevant R&D or clinical audit work post qualification
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Gloucester House
Southmead Hospital
Bristol
BS10 5NB
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Address
Gloucester House
Southmead Hospital
Bristol
BS10 5NB
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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