Lead Clinical Psychologist

PALMS (Positive behaviour, Autism, Learning disability, Mental health Service) is evolving and we want to welcome additional clinicians to be part of our vibrant and multidisciplinary team which includes Clinical Psychologists, Positive Behaviour Analysts, Systemic Therapists, Learning Disability Nurses, Psychiatrists, Mental Health Practitioners, Speech and Language Therapists and Outreach Workers.


With the continued evolution of PALMS we are seeking to appoint a Clinical Lead in the Mental Health Support Team (MHST hosted by PALMS) and Clinical Psychologist in PALMS who is a motivated and forward thinking clinician and leader who can work flexibly and is committed to supporting CYP and their families across Hertfordshire and West Essex and the full PALMS' team.
Dedicated to supporting CYP with autism and/or learning disability and their families.
Collaborative in their approach to work with families, schools, networks, and others services
Flexible in their approach and have resilience under pressure
PALMS is a CAMHS commissioned service which offers individually tailored support for children and young people (CYP), aged 0-18 who have a global learning disability and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder, helping families to manage challenging behaviour, toileting, feeding and sleeping concerns which have not benefitted from community interventions and/or to support mental health needs which cannot be met with reasonable adjustment by other CAMHS services. Interventions include workshops, intervention groups, individual therapy, parent as therapist sessions, and a family clinic. PALMS aims to keep children and young people with their families thereby improving outcomes for all family members. PALMS predominantly applies narrative, systemic, positive behaviour, and bio-psycho social models adhering to the STOMP / STAMP and Transforming Care Agendas.


The MHST works across Hertfordshire and West Essex, involving a high level of travel, delivering evidence-based interventions supporting emotional wellbeing, working directly with schools, primarily in an educational setting. This includes group interventions, individual interventions, consultation, and training and incorporates full assessments of care needs and risk assessments. The aim of the MHST is to support a whole school approach to develop, build, and support emotional well-being.
PALMS principally deliver a flexible service according to need and personal circumstances, in a planned way. For example, for a full-time worker this equates to flexibly working 37.PALMS are open to flexible working and therefore part time / job share would be considered, working a minimum of 0.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.


We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages


Regular appraisal, personal development planning and opportunities for continuing professional development. Opportunities to provide clinical supervision and line management to other members of the PALMS team and MHST as appropriate.
Opportunities to connect with local and national networks
Involvement in providing training.

You must hold 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).


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.


Midnight 2nd June 2024


Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
Willingness to travel to alternate locations to provide services

Training and Qualifications
Doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996), including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology. Two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan development psychology as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS
Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology
Further specialist post-qualification training relevant to the Children and Young People and/or ASD and LD client group
Formal training in supervision of trainee clinical psychologists and trainee EMHP's
Evidence of continued professional development as recommended by the BPS

Significant experience of working with people with a learning disability and with people with an Autistic Spectrum disorder in a range of settings and/or significant experience of working with children and young people.
Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for CYP psychological care and treatment, both as a professionally qualified care co-ordinator and within the context of a multi- disciplinary care plan
Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision of trainee clinical psychologists/mental health practitioners
Experience of service quality monitoring i.e. clinical audit, evaluative research etc
Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.
Experience of applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support.

Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration
Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and /or clinically sensitive information to CYPs, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups
Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology
Knowledge of child development, child and adolescent mental health and a range of therapeutic models
Well developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups i.e. personality disorders, dual diagnosis, people with learning disabilities etc
Knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological therapies and assessment methodologies
Knowledge of relevant legislation and national policies
Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings
Ability to work with children & young people whose behaviour is personally challenging
Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships and boundaries with young people.
Ability to provide a therapeutic environment which contributes to young people's healthy development (including sexual)
An interest in, and commitment to, working with children who have a learning disability and/or an autistic spectrum disorder and/or mental health difficulties
Ability to work flexibly and willingness to work early mornings, evenings and weekends.
Ability to lead and work as part of a 'virtual team'.

Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust