Highly Specialist Applied Psychologist
The closing date is 12 May 2026
We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Highly Specialist Psychologist to join our adult learning disability inpatient service, at Bankfields Court within Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV). While the focus will be on inpatient work, the post holder will provide cover across the urgent care pathway, which also includes the Intensive Support Team. The post holder will play a key role in supporting adults with learning disabilities who present with complex mental health and autism needs, distress behaviours, and/or acute deterioration requiring assessment and intervention within an inpatient setting.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulation and intervention with individuals, families and support teams as part of an MDT approach. The role includes direct clinical work, supporting reflective practice within the team, and providing consultation, training and clinical supervision. The post holder will also support safe and effective discharge into the community.
As a senior member of the team, the post holder will be expected to demonstrate good leadership skills in supporting MDT colleagues to work psychologically and use person‑centred, trauma informed principles of care. The post holder will be a key member of a collective leadership team within Bankfields Court inpatient service.
There are opportunities for innovation and leadership as we look to continually improve our services. There is a strong psychology network across the trust and within Adult Learning Disability, and we have good links with our local DClinPsy & DCounsPsy courses, providing trainee placements and teaching.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specifications for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Psychologists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.
Additional contact details: Kay Smith - Team Manager
kay.smith45@nhs.net
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Post‑graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
* HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
* Post doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice - Band 8a
* Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees
* Trained in care co‑ordination
* Evidence of continuing professional development
* Registration with BPS
Experience
* Working as a qualified applied psychologist within the designated service including a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and a range of clinical severity across a range of care settings
* Exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care as a care coordinator within the context of a multidisciplinary team.
* Teaching, training and clinical supervision and field supervisor for doctoral theses
* Research and development
* Quality and service improvement and evaluation
* Experience of joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies
Knowledge / Skills
* Evidence‑based practice relevant to the role
* Risk assessment and risk management
* Clinical governance
* Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
* Audit and research methodology
* Social Inclusion agenda
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.
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
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