• Job Description

  Req#: C9285-26-0079?language=en&page=88&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, and we're hiring people who want to shape what comes next.

  What we do

  Adult and older adult mental health

  Children and young people's mental health

  Specialist learning disability services

  Why join now

  We've got real momentum right now. New strategy, clear priorities and our Best for the Black Country work mean things are moving in the right way, fast.

  Our values aren't just posters. People are genuinely compassionate, take responsibility, treat you with respect and help you feel confident and empowered.

  You'll be looked after. Flexible working, family-friendly policies, supportive teams, proper wellbeing support and chances to learn with coaching and development.

  It's a good place to live. Friendly diverse communities, easy transport, good schools and colleges, shopping, food, lots to do, plenty of green space and a lower cost of living than many other city regions.

  What it's like to work here

  You'll join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share caseload pressures, and celebrate wins. New starters get a warm welcome and clear induction; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate. You'll have space to do good work, speak up, and see the difference you make.

  Main duties of the job

  This is an opportunity for someone who is keen to use their leadership and psychological skills in a fast-paced MDT environment. The role is suitable to those who put patient care and recovery at the centre of their practice. Taking the role as Principal Psychologist, you will offer leadership support and clinical supervision to other psychologists who work across all of the community areas; there will also be a leadership role within our Older Adult Therapeutic Team (OATs). You will also offer your own clinical skills into the Walsall Community Older Adult team across the trust to support MDT's, engage in psychological care with patients and work systemically with the wider urgent care psychology services. You will join a wider team of community care psychologists (clinical and counselling) who work across community mental health teams, hospital at home and OATS. This post will allow you to take a key role in further developing and enhancing the psychological offer within Older Adults community services PAN trust. If successful in your application, you will oversee the Senior Psychologists, Assistant Psychologists and Trainee Psychologist within the service areas, offering opportunities to strengthen your own supervisory and leadership skills. As a Principal Psychologist, there are opportunities to get involved in organisational and service development work streams, encouraging you to look beyond your team and support the wider system.

  About us

  BCHFT is a relatively new organisation having formed in 2020 from two legacy Trusts (Black Country Partnership and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Trusts).

  Across the organisation, there is on place a strong leadership structure for psychology supported by the Divisional Leads for Psychology and the Director of Therapies. We have a robust trust wide Consultant Psychology leadership team who support strategic developments across the organisation, as well as offering support to the family of psychological professional staff.

  We are highly regarded by colleagues of all professions within our services and are the'go to' people for complex problems and creative ideas to make a difference to staff, patients and carers.

  Details

  Date posted

  06 February 2026

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 8b

  Salary

  £64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  285-3085-MH

  Job locations

  Blakenhall Village Centre- Walsall

  79 Thames Road

  Walsall

  WS3 1LZ

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Qualifications, knowledge and skills Essential criteria

  • Post-graduate doctoral level training in Applied Psychology (or its equivalent as accredited by the BPS including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
  • HCPC registration
  • Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • 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 the full range of care settings.
  • Liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies
  • Research and development experience
  • Experience of training and teaching others
  • Active participation in quality improvement and service governance initiatives
  • Experienced in risk assessment and management
  • Demonstrable evidence of Trust behaviours
  • Demonstrable evidence of good communication skills
  • Willing to work flexibly across all the trust wide in-patient areas
  • Completed service evaluations and audits
  • Experience in working on service development and re-design
  • Experienced in the supervision of Applied Psychologists, Trainee Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists

  Desirable criteria

  • BPS / ACP membership
  • Project management work

  Applying and timelinesWe may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply soon. We shortlist after the closing date and will contact shortlisted candidates usually within two weeks. If you havent heard by then, you havent been shortlisted. Please check your email for updates and contact Recruitment for feedback.

  Pay and contracts

  Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change. With us - your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments.

  Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment.

  Standards and checks

  Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate. If you dont have it yet, well support you to complete it in post.

  Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record wont automatically prevent employment. We consider the role and individual circumstances.

  We are an equal opportunities employer, offer flexible working, and are a smoke free Trust.

  Inclusion, equality and adjustments

  We are an equal opportunities employer and offer flexible working.

  We are an anti-racist, disability-inclusive and LGBTQ+-inclusive Trust.

  We welcome applications from under-represented groups and people with lived experience relevant to our services, including Black and Asian colleagues, Disabled people (including non-visible disabilities such as neurodiversity and mental health) and LGBTQ+ people.

  Disabled applicants can request consideration under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met. You can ask for reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process.

  Our culture and valuesBest for the Black Country is our improvement journey. We share a clear vision and values, lead with compassion and visibility, listen to every voice, keep improving what we do and take ownership for delivery. Youll feel it in how teams support each other and in the impact your work has on local people. If you want to contribute, learn and progress, this is a great time to join us.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Qualifications, knowledge and skills Essential criteria

  • Post-graduate doctoral level training in Applied Psychology (or its equivalent as accredited by the BPS including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
  • HCPC registration
  • Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • 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 the full range of care settings.
  • Liaison and joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies
  • Research and development experience
  • Experience of training and teaching others
  • Active participation in quality improvement and service governance initiatives
  • Experienced in risk assessment and management
  • Demonstrable evidence of Trust behaviours
  • Demonstrable evidence of good communication skills
  • Willing to work flexibly across all the trust wide in-patient areas
  • Completed service evaluations and audits
  • Experience in working on service development and re-design
  • Experienced in the supervision of Applied Psychologists, Trainee Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists

  Desirable criteria

  • BPS / ACP membership
  • Project management work

  Applying and timelinesWe may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply soon. We shortlist after the closing date and will contact shortlisted candidates usually within two weeks. If you havent heard by then, you havent been shortlisted. Please check your email for updates and contact Recruitment for feedback.

  Pay and contracts

  Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change. With us - your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments.

  Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment.

  Standards and checks

  Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate. If you dont have it yet, well support you to complete it in post.

  Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record wont automatically prevent employment. We consider the role and individual circumstances.

  We are an equal opportunities employer, offer flexible working, and are a smoke free Trust.

  Inclusion, equality and adjustments

  We are an equal opportunities employer and offer flexible working.

  We are an anti-racist, disability-inclusive and LGBTQ+-inclusive Trust.

  We welcome applications from under-represented groups and people with lived experience relevant to our services, including Black and Asian colleagues, Disabled people (including non-visible disabilities such as neurodiversity and mental health) and LGBTQ+ people.

  Disabled applicants can request consideration under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met. You can ask for reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process.

  Our culture and valuesBest for the Black Country is our improvement journey. We share a clear vision and values, lead with compassion and visibility, listen to every voice, keep improving what we do and take ownership for delivery. Youll feel it in how teams support each other and in the impact your work has on local people. If you want to contribute, learn and progress, this is a great time to join us.

  Person Specification

  Qualification

  Essential

  • HCPC
  • Evidence of learning post qualification
  • Previous experience of working with Older Adults
  • Evidence of Leadership

  Desirable

  • Evidence of MDT working
  • Evidence of teaching and training
  • Evidence of operational change
  • Project work and research

  Person Specification

  Qualification

  Essential

  • HCPC
  • Evidence of learning post qualification
  • Previous experience of working with Older Adults
  • Evidence of Leadership

  Desirable

  • Evidence of MDT working
  • Evidence of teaching and training
  • Evidence of operational change
  • Project work and research

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Blakenhall Village Centre- Walsall

  79 Thames Road

  Walsall

  WS3 1LZ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Blakenhall Village Centre- Walsall

  79 Thames Road

  Walsall

  WS3 1LZ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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