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There’s a place for you at CNWL. We’re passionate about delivering first‑class patient‑centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient’s own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people. We’re always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee we’re hoping to find our future leaders and we’ll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career. With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more – whatever stage of your career you’re at, there’s always a place for you at CNWL.
Consultant Clinical / Applied Psychologist Workforce Development Lead
NHS AfC: Band 8c
Main area Psychology Grade NHS AfC: Band 8c Contract Permanent Hours Full time – 37.5 hours per week (Other working patterns would be considered – minimum of 3 days per week) Job ref 333-C-HQ-2060
Site: Trust Headquarters Town London Salary £85,431 – £97,148 pa inc HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 01/04/2026 23:59
CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London’s population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way we are run. Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff. We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.
We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page.
CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Job overview
CNWL is seeking to appoint an innovative and highly skilled clinical or applied psychologist with a strong interest in working at an organisational and strategic level to continue to support the development of the Psychological Professions Workforce.
We are seeking an experienced psychologist to work alongside the Chief Psychologist, Director of Therapies and other senior colleagues to continue to lead and shape this exciting and important programme of work, at a time of rapid change and development across the wider health and care system.
We value equality, diversity and inclusion, and strongly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised backgrounds. The Psychological Professions Workforce Team is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment and welcomes applications from all candidates who share our values and ambition for the future of psychological professions within the NHS.
This role will suit a psychologist with:
* Strong leadership and influencing skills
* Experience or interest in workforce development, organisational psychology or system‑level change
* A collaborative and values‑driven approach
* A commitment to inclusivity, innovation and excellence in psychological practice
Main duties of the job
To lead, plan and manage the delivery of Workforce Development strategic objectives for the Psychological Professions at CNWL including:
* Psychological Professions Workforce Development
o Engagement and identity
o Professional and career development
o Clinical practice and leadership development
o Recruitment and retention strategies
* Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (workforce and practice)
* Innovation, digital and AI
* Links with training programmes
The postholder will provide leadership to ensure that CNWL’s psychological professions workforce is supported, valued and enabled to deliver excellent services, and that the contribution of psychological professions is well recognised and respected across the organisation.
Working for our organisation
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) is a Top Employer Award winner, working in partnership to deliver responsive, high‑quality primary care, mental health, learning disability and substance misuse services to the diverse and culturally rich communities we serve.
This post sits within the Psychological Professions Workforce Team, which has grown significantly over the past five years and has delivered major, positive changes in workforce culture across the psychological professions. The team works collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to develop and embed innovative and sustainable workforce strategies, with inclusivity and equity as core values.
By joining CNWL’s Psychological Professions Workforce Development Team, you will become part of a vibrant, innovative team of psychological professionals.
Our psychological professions workforce is dynamic, welcoming and highly collaborative. Networking, supervision and continuing professional development (CPD) are central to our ethos, with strong links with operational and clinical partners. Staff receive regular supervision and are actively supported in relation to career aspirations, progression and leadership development.
Clickhere to find out more about working within the psychological professions at CNWL.
Please see the detailed job description and main responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* To regularly report on the progress of these plans, and any associated risks, to the Trust Chief Psychologist and relevant stakeholders, including through formal programme board meetings.
* To incorporate Trust, regional and national priorities into the team’s objectives, along with relevant developments from professional bodies and other organisations.
* To disseminate and use workforce and other relevant data to inform planning and evaluation.
* To act as Course Lead for the 21st Century Leadership Programme for Psychological Professions.
* To manage the day‑to‑day operation of the Psychological Professions Workforce Team.
* To contribute to creating a psychologically safe and anti‑discriminatory environment in which staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds can flourish.
* To line manage and supervise the Deputy Workforce Development Lead and Assistant Psychologist.
* To provide a placement and supervision for trainee clinical psychologists.
* To maintain a strong focus on collaboration and co‑production across workstreams, ensuring all projects understand and reflect the needs and views of service users and staff.
* To develop partnership links and relationships with key external organisations.
* To be accountable to the Trust Chief Psychologist for the development, monitoring and implementation of new ways of working and professional standards within the Psychological Professions.
* To ensure the delivery of research, service evaluation and audits relevant to the workforce projects undertaken in this role.
* To take a lead in developing and evaluating psychological workforce development plans across the Trust.
* To communicate as required with staff within the organisation and with external partners, such as local universities, other education providers, professional groups, partner NHS and other services, and colleagues across the Trust, including Education, People Services and Allied Health Professionals’ Heads of Profession.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Entry‑level qualification in Applied Psychology
* HCPC Registration
* Post qualification clinical CPD & / or longer training (incl supervision training)
* Post qualification leadership CPD & / or longer training
* Doctoral level qualification – relevant to post
* Qualification in Leadership / Research or other relevant area of practice
* Chartered registration with British Psychological Society and membership of BPS networks Membership / registration / accreditation with other relevant professional bodies
Experience
* Substantial experience working as applied psychologist in health care under supervision; incl supervision of others
* Undertaken leadership roles; leading change
* Post‑qualification experience that supports working with, taking action to address issues of equity, diversity & discrimination within organisations and service delivery
* Research, QI and service evaluation experience
* Teaching and training experience
* Record of research / professional publications and dissemination
* Lived experience of mental & physical health challenges
* Connection to communities and organisations in the areas the Trust provides services to
* Experience of working on a Psychological Professions Training Course
Knowledge
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of management and leadership
* Advanced knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for workforce development
* An understanding of the use and application of IT, digital and AI technology
Skills
* To lead, develop and manage programmes of work involving multiple stakeholders
* Well‑developed consultation skills to work with the multi‑professional team or other professional groups
* Well‑developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data and for teaching purposes
* Ability to communicate in languages additional to English relevant to the work of the team and Trust
Abilities
* Ability to work effectively within a multi‑disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles
* Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of quality / clinical / operational governance as appropriate
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work. Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience. AI‑generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications, or experience. Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant’s chances of success.
We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
* Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
* Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
* Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
* If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Christopher Whiteley Job title Chief Psychologist Email address christopher.whiteley@nhs.net
All interested applicants are invited to get in touch to hear more about the post and the team.
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