PALMS is expanding again and we are seeking to appoint a motivated, committed, flexible and forward thinking Clinical Psychologist to contribute to the development of an Intensive Intervention Team (IIT) for the PALMS' population.
The PALMS' IIT includes an Administrator, Consultant Psychiatrist, Outreach Workers and Specialist Positive Behaviour Analysts. This MDT will work collaboratively and in collaboration with the wider PALMS' MDT to support these CYP as well as working with colleagues in the existing Hertfordshire crisis service C-CATT (CAMHS Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team).
* Proposed interview date: 15-Sept-2025*
The ideal candidate will be:
Passionate about and have a desire to contribute to change in a vibrant NHS team
Dedicated to supporting CYP with autism and/or learning disability and their families.
Collaborative in their approach to work with families, networks, and others services
Able to work both in a team environment and autonomously
Able to maintain a high degree of professionalism when working in settings where there is a highly emotive atmosphere.
Flexible in their approach and have resilience under pressure
Have professional registration for your speciality
We can offer you:
Regular clinical and professional supervision including opportunities to meet as a team including peer reflection and Intervision
Regular appraisal, personal development planning and opportunities for continuing professional development. This includes specific support with regards to fulfilling the PALMS' IIT role.
Opportunities to work closely with a multi-disciplinary team and learn from other evidence based frameworks and approaches.
Opportunities to provide clinical supervision and line management to other members of the PALMS IIT and core PALMS team as appropriate.
Opportunities to connect with local and national networks
Involvement in providing training
PALMS has longstanding commissioning arrangements to provide input to CYP on three distinct pathways of tailored intervention: 'standard', 'heavy' and 'intensive'. There has been an increase in the number of CYP presenting in/at risk of going into crisis; These children and families require a significant amount of clinical input to enable de-escalation, reduce risks and decrease the likelihood of being placed out of county.
Throughout 2020/21 PALMS collated robust data on the time and skills required to meet the needs of CYP presenting in crisis and demonstrated significant positive outcomes for CYP and their families. In addition, PALMS has been able to evidence the importance of a MDT approach to support these CYP. Simultaneously, Hertfordshire is committed to realising the vision of the long term plan. PALMS have therefore been provided with additional funding to support the PALMS' population who are at risk of, or at, crisis.
Alongside supporting these CYP and their families, the work of the team will provide decision makers with evidence informed options and clear recommendation for developing and delivering an effective multiagency crisis service that is responsive to needs within Hertfordshire and which fully meets the vision of the long term plan.
The post is permanent; Roles within the IIT are flexible in terms of base as most of the work will be within the community across the county and as such a full valid driving license and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
We are committed to supporting flexible working options for staff, wherever possible, and welcome discussions on flexible working patterns to support our staff to maintain a healthy work life balance.
Interviews will be run either in person at one of our bases or using Microsoft Teams, full details and instructions will be provided to successful candidates.
Closing date - 8th Sept 2025