Head of Psychological Professions

Somerset and Yeovil District Hospital Foundation Trusts are looking to appoint a Head of Psychological Professions. As combined mental health and acute & community physical health providers, the Trusts are well placed to recognise and deliver the benefits of psychologically informed approaches and therapies across all services. This post will be at the forefront of achieving that aim.

We are looking to appoint a psychological professional with a doctorate or equivalent qualification and the extensive experience, skills and abilities necessary for this challenging and rewarding role. The person appointed will be a leading voice in setting strategic direction and promoting the role of psychological professionals throughout the Trusts.

This role is part of a wider investment by the Trusts in senior posts that recognises the central role psychological professions have in the development and delivery of effective care in mental and physical health services. Alongside this role the Trusts are also appointing a Clinical Lead for Inpatient and Urgent Care, to work alongside an equivalent role for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities.

If you would like to discuss this role, then please contact Dan Meron (Chief Medical Officer) or Jane Yeandle (Service Director for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities).

The Head of Psychological Professions is the head of profession for all psychological professionals in the Trust. They will lead on the development and maintenance of a corporate workforce plan and ensure local and corporate planning takes into consideration psychological professions.

The post holder will set and maintain professional standards for all psychological professionals and be responsible for the quality and effectiveness of psychological care and treatment across all services. If concerns are raised about service quality or professional standards, they will ensure there is an appropriate and proportionate response, in line with the Trust’s values and learning culture.

The postholder will create the conditions that enable psychological professionals to have a stimulating and rewarding career with the Trust. They will ensure psychological professionals have access to a programme of Continuing Professional Development that reflects best practice and that all psychological professionals have and take opportunities to maintain and improve their professional practice. They will ensure that all psychological professionals have access to and receive effective and supportive clinical supervision.

This role will require 0.5 WTE of time. It is expected the postholder will also take up a senior clinical role within the Trust. The clinical role will be agreed at appointment and reflect the individual’s specialist clinical skills and expertise.

Straddled between areas of outstanding natural beauty and the idyllic rolling hills of Exmoor, featuring national hotspots for cycling, surfing, and climbing such as Cheddar Gorge, there’s plenty to keep you occupied alongside the abundance of music festivals and local traditions.

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With a great educational offering, and abundance of open countryside, we think there’s nowhere better.

Be a leading voice promoting psychological professions within and beyond the Trusts.

Ensure that psychological professions feature prominently in local, corporate and system plans.

Take overall responsibility for the professional standards and fitness to practice of all psychological professionals in the Trusts.

Lead the development of professional practice in line with professional guidelines, Trust quality standards for clinical practice, NIHCE etc.

Ensure appropriate policies are in place that support psychological professionals to practice safely and effectively.

Establish arrangements that enable every psychological professional to access and participate in high quali