At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide psychological therapy and support to adults with mental health challenges in the community.
- Company: Join Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in mental health care and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy part-time hours, professional development opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a diverse community.
- Qualifications: Experience in psychological therapy and working with complex mental health needs is essential.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to lead and innovate in mental health services.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Band 8a Senior Psychological Therapist – CMHT Psychological Services
Go back Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
The closing date is 23 November 2025
We have an exciting vacancy that has arisen for an experienced Band 8a Senior Psychological Therapist within our Integrated Community Care and Recovery (ICCR) Services working with adults with mental health difficulties in the community.
This is a part‑time 15 hours a week vacancy based within the Zinnia Community Mental Health Team in Sparkhill, Birmingham. This is an ideal post to apply your full range of psychological skills and knowledge, including consultation, training, supervision, service development, leadership and research in addition to direct clinical work.
We would welcome applications from those looking to build upon their clinical skills with a wide range of presenting difficulties who are keen to develop specialisms and greater leadership roles to make a difference in the community.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed and skilled Psychological Therapist who can work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, to provide a range of clinical services. The individual will have excellent opportunities to gain experience of multilevel and integrated service provision and to further develop skills of complex case assessment, formulation and the application of evidence‑based psychological interventions, both individual and in groups. You should have experience of working with service users with complex mental health and behavioural needs; additionally be familiar with the needs of a diverse BAME community and working in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.
About us
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4,000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people\’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Job responsibilities
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
- A specialist post‑graduate (or equivalent) qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) i.e. MSc, or Post Graduate Diploma.
- Additional training i.e. PGCert in Personality Disorders or Psychosis/Bipolar.
- Accreditation with the BABCP.
- Registered health or social care qualification – RMN, OT, Social Worker, etc.
- A qualification or have undertaken a programme of formal training in Clinical Supervision (e.g. completion of a specialist Clinical Supervision Module).
- Training in other associated psychotherapies, e.g. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Schema therapy.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- Relevant experience in mental health.
- Skills and experience of working with, assessing, planning, coordinating and supporting people with mental health problems in a community setting around a range of emotional/mental health, behavioural/additional health or developmental needs / substance misuse needs.
- Experience of working with people who have difficulty in engaging with services and have complex mental health needs.
- Skills and knowledge in utilising specific assessments and outcome measures.
- Understanding of other psychological interventions/professions relevant to Adult Mental Health.
SKILLS
- Ability to analyse and present complex information to professional colleagues.
- Maintain Clinical Supervision and a balance of Continued Professional Development to at least fulfil the BABCP requirements for continued accreditation.
- Supervisory skills.
OTHER
- Work with people with highly complex or distressing mental health problems.
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.
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
£55,690 to £62,682 a year – per annum, pro rata
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Band 8a Senior Psychological Therapist - CMHT Psychological Services employer: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Band 8a Senior Psychological Therapist - CMHT Psychological Services
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific mental health challenges faced by the diverse BAME community in Birmingham. Understanding these nuances will not only enhance your application but also prepare you for insightful discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Engaging with them can provide you with insider knowledge about the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex case assessments and evidence-based psychological interventions. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your skills and how they align with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership and service development skills during the interview. Think of instances where you've led a project or contributed to service improvements, as this aligns well with the responsibilities of a Band 8a Senior Psychological Therapist.
We think you need these skills to ace Band 8a Senior Psychological Therapist - CMHT Psychological Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the requirements of the Band 8a Senior Psychological Therapist role. Emphasise your clinical skills, experience with diverse communities, and any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for mental health and your commitment to community service. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to work with complex cases and your understanding of the needs of BAME communities.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, including any specialised training in psychological therapies. If you have experience in consultation, supervision, or service development, make sure to include these details as they are crucial for this role.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: Since the role requires working as part of a multidisciplinary team, provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous positions. Highlight your communication skills and ability to contribute to a supportive team environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
✨Showcase Your Clinical Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous clinical roles and the specific psychological therapies you have employed. Highlight any experience with complex cases, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the diverse needs of service users.
✨Understand the Community Context
Familiarise yourself with the socio-economic challenges faced by the community served by the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Being able to articulate how these factors influence mental health will show your commitment to providing relevant care.
✨Demonstrate Multidisciplinary Teamwork
Prepare examples of how you have effectively collaborated with other professionals in a multidisciplinary team. This role requires strong teamwork skills, so showcasing your ability to work alongside various disciplines will be crucial.
✨Express Your Commitment to Diversity
Given the diverse BAME community that the trust serves, be ready to discuss your understanding of cultural competence in mental health care. Share any experiences you have had working with diverse populations and how you adapt your approach to meet their unique needs.