Principal Psychologist

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Practitioner Psychologist to provide clinical leadership and specialist psychological input within Pinetree Court Hospital, a 29-bed specialist hospital supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and complex presentations. The service delivers assessment, intensive treatment and active rehabilitation within a safe, therapeutic, and outcomes-focused environment, with the aim of supporting individuals towards successful community living.

Main duties of the job

At Pinetree Court Hospital, care is delivered through psychologically informed pathways that emphasise person-centred, outcome-focused planning from admission through to discharge. Our model of care is underpinned by Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), Active Support, positive risk-taking, safeguarding, robust clinical governance, community reintegration and the promotion of least restrictive practice.

As Clinical Lead Psychologist, you will play a key role in leading multidisciplinary assessment, formulation, intervention and outcome evaluation. You will provide psychological leadership across the service, supporting the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care and treatment pathways tailored to individual needs. You will work closely with colleagues across psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychiatry and other disciplines to ensure integrated and effective care.

About us

Pinetree Court Hospital provides several specialist pathways, including rehabilitation, forensic, adapted DBT-informed and complex autism pathways. The successful applicant will be confident in working with individuals presenting with learning disabilities, autism, mental health difficulties, behaviours that challenge, forensic risks and complex clinical needs.

Job responsibilities

To provide strategic and clinical leadership to the MDT within Pinetree Hospital and to ensure appropriate clinical governance of all clinical activities within the Hospital, as delivered by all professional groups.

To provide strategic and clinical leadership regarding assessment and treatment delivery to multi-disciplinary clinicians who deliver psychological interventions at Pinetree Hospital and if required other ICG Learning Disability Services

To develop, implement and evaluate, along with other staff qualified in the provision of positive behavioural support, a coherent and evidence based programme for the delivery of such interventions by the MDT.

To develop robust systems within the organisation to ensure that positive approaches to challenging behaviour become embedded into the general functioning and culture of the organisation.

To ensure that clinical input is integrated with treatment delivery and is supportive of identified treatment needs for individuals within the service. To work closely with nursing staff to achieve this.

To provide practice leadership throughout the Hospital and be responsive to clinical situations arising on site during working hours

To ensure, alongside other members of the Senior Leadership Team, that the service remains compliant with the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act codes of practice and that there is appropriate identification and triage of capacity assessments requiring a clinical decision maker.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• We are looking for a skilled clinician with significant post-qualification experience in learning disability and/or autism services. Experience in Positive Behaviour Support, psychological formulation, consultation, supervision and service development is highly desirable. You will be committed to delivering person-centred care, improving quality of life outcomes, and supporting individuals to develop the skills and independence required for successful community living. The role includes providing clinical supervision, consultation, staff training and leadership to multidisciplinary teams. You will contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement and the development of innovative, evidence-based practice across the hospital and wider organisation. The successful candidate will join a supportive network of psychologists and clinicians across Iris Care Group, benefiting from strong peer support, continuing professional development opportunities and involvement in service innovation and outcome-focused practice.