At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide therapeutic support to vulnerable young people and shape innovative care practices.
- Company: Join Cambian Group's evolving Specialist Mental Health Service in Newmarket.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment focused on trauma-informed care and holistic development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of looked after children with complex needs.
- Qualifications: Experience with care-experienced youth and confidence in high-stress situations.
The predicted salary is between 57000 - 67000 £ per year.
Salary: £57,000 – £67,000 (approximately equivalent to NHS Band 8a, dependent on experience)
Location: Cambian Group – Merida, Newmarket
Join us in shaping our Therapeutic Service. We are looking for a compassionate, creative and motivated Practitioner Psychologist to join our developing Specialist Mental Health Service (SMHS) at Merida. This is a rare opportunity to be part of an evolving and ambitious therapeutic service supporting looked after children and young people with complex emotional and mental health needs.
At Merida, we are committed to creating environments where young people feel safe, understood, connected and genuinely cared for — and where clinicians are empowered to innovate, collaborate and make meaningful change. Our service supports young people who may not meet criteria for inpatient admission, but who require intensive therapeutic support within a psychologically informed residential setting. Many of the young people we support have experienced significant trauma, relational adversity and disruptions to care, and present with high levels of emotional distress and risk.
Merida consists of:
- Four residential homes on one therapeutic campus (supporting up to five young people in each home)
- A specialist intermediate home for short-term stabilisation and assessment
- An on-site school (Dunbroch School)
- Outdoor and therapeutic spaces that support holistic development and wellbeing
This is an exciting period of development for the service, with a newly developing clinical model, expanding MDT and strong focus on embedding trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming practice throughout the organisation. This is an ideal opportunity for a psychologist who enjoys dynamic environments, values authentic therapeutic relationships and wants to make a lasting difference in the lives of looked after young people. We are particularly passionate about clinicians who value relationship-based practice, curiosity, compassion and creativity in their work with young people.
About the Role: As Practitioner Psychologist, you will be a valued part of a multidisciplinary team including psychiatry, psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, education and residential care colleagues. This is a varied and rewarding role where you will have opportunities to provide direct therapeutic work, consultation, reflective practice, formulation-led support, training and service development.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver evidence-based psychological interventions for children and young people
- Develop collaborative formulations and therapeutic care plans
- Complete assessments, including risk assessments and recommendations
- Support teams to integrate psychologically informed approaches into everyday care
- Provide consultation, training and reflective spaces for residential colleagues
- Help shape a therapeutic culture grounded in trauma-informed and strengths-based practice
- Supervise and support junior clinical colleagues
- Work collaboratively with external professionals, families and networks around the young person
- Contribute to innovative service development and clinical leadership initiatives
Qualifications and Experience:
- Experience working with care-experienced children and young people
- Experience within residential care, CAMHS, inpatient or complex mental health settings
- Confidence supporting young people who present with high levels of distress and risk
- Experience delivering DBT-informed approaches alongside at least one other therapeutic modality
- Skills in formulation, consultation and multidisciplinary working
- Experience or interest in supervision, reflective practice and service development
- A warm, collaborative and resilient approach to clinical work
Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is passionate about assisting with vulnerable young people’s healing journey, improving outcomes and who wants to help shape a genuinely therapeutic service.
What We Offer:
- Be part of an evolving and ambitious specialist service
- Work within a highly collaborative MDT
- Influence service design and clinical culture
- Develop innovative therapeutic approaches within residential care
- Support young people to build safer, healthier and more hopeful futures
- Contribute to meaningful, systemic and relational change
Practitioner Psychologist in Newmarket employer: Cambian Group Plc
At Cambian Group – Merida, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative work environment for our Practitioner Psychologists. Our commitment to professional development, coupled with a collaborative multidisciplinary team, empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of looked after children and young people facing complex emotional challenges. Join us in shaping a therapeutic culture that values compassion, creativity, and authentic relationships, all while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a purpose-built therapeutic campus in Newmarket.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practitioner Psychologist in Newmarket
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field, attend relevant events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to working with young people. Think about your experiences and how they align with the role at Merida. We want to see your passion and creativity shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your unique skills! Whether it's your experience with trauma-informed care or your ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, make sure to highlight what makes you stand out during interviews. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Merida and contributing to our mission of supporting looked after children.
We think you need these skills to ace Practitioner Psychologist in Newmarket
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for working with young people shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to this cause.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Practitioner Psychologist role. Highlight your experience with trauma-informed practices and your ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, as these are key aspects of what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your qualifications and experiences, ensuring that we can easily see how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure your application reaches us promptly and you’ll have access to all the latest updates about the role and our service.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambian Group Plc
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest evidence-based psychological interventions, especially those relevant to children and young people. Familiarise yourself with trauma-informed practices and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles.
✨Show Your Compassion
During the interview, let your passion for working with vulnerable young people shine through. Share specific examples of how you've built authentic therapeutic relationships and supported young people through their healing journeys.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Highlight your experience working within multidisciplinary teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to team dynamics and how you can support colleagues in integrating psychologically informed approaches into everyday care.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the service's development and the role of the Practitioner Psychologist. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand how you can contribute to shaping the therapeutic culture at Merida.
