Consultant Psychiatrist in Intellectual Disabilities in Exeter

Are you passionate about Learning Disability and Neurodiversity? This is a unique opportunity to join other dedicated clinicians in transforming care for adults with intellectual disabilities and autistic adults across the Southwest.

At Devon Partnership Trust we have established and well-regarded Community LD teams across three geographical areas of beautiful Devon. Additionally, we have built and opened a state of the art new 10 bed Regional LDA Inpatient Unit in 2025 for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people with treatable mental health needs. The new unit has been designed in partnership with clinicians and people with lived experience to ensure a modern, therapeutic environment that supports recovery and wellbeing.

These elements, along with a dedicated central community neurodiversity service, will deliver measurable improvements in patient experience, outcomes, and continuity of care - reducing out-of-area placements, enhancing the therapeutic environment, and supporting people closer to home.

We are therefore looking for a clinician who can bring strong medical leadership, support the developments across these community and inpatient services, and work collaboratively with senior operational and clinical leaders to ensure high quality, person-centred care.

If you would like to learn more, we would be delighted to arrange an informal conversation, either in person or virtually, before you submit your application.

This combined role spans both community and inpatient care, offering a varied and rewarding clinical leadership position. You will be part of large, skilled multidisciplinary teams and benefit from working with experienced and welcoming consultant and MPAC colleagues across Devon.

You will provide medical leadership within the Specialist Health Community Learning Disability Team for Exeter & East Devon (0.5 WTE) and within the Regional LDA Inpatient Unit (0.5 WTE). Your responsibilities will include assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, risk management, and acting as Responsible Clinician where appropriate. You will work closely with health and social care partners to support admission avoidance, timely discharge, and repatriation. Innovation and service improvement is important to us and we have a dedicated QI team to help engage, teach and support you and your team.

We offer strong links with Exeter University and support multiple clinically relevant trials across all areas of psychiatry. We are building a new bespoke research and teaching facility at our headquarters at Wonford House, Exeter to reflect the activity and recognition we have gained in clinically led research. We also provide training rotations for both nursing and medical undergraduates and you will be supported and encouraged to pursue your interests in either of these research and training areas.

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

• Research
  • Ability to interpret published research and to apply research findings to clinical practice.
  • Aptitude for and practical experience of research.
• Aptitudes and Values
  • Evidence of ability to exercise leadership in a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with other clinical teams.
  • A team player able to inspire and support staff at all levels of training and across professional disciplines.
  • A commitment to continuing professional development.
  • A commitment to multidisciplinary and multi-agency working.
  • A commitment to respect, inclusiveness and diversity.
  • Evidence of new ideas in service delivery.
  • A track record of implementing service initiatives.
  • A track record of team leadership or collaboration with other agencies.
• Management
  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and managers.
  • Awareness of NHS management and funding arrangements.
  • Management training / experience.
  • Experience of involvement in service development.
• Qualifications
  • Full Registration with the General Medical Council.
  • To hold Approved Clinician status at the point of taking up post.
  • Eligible for inclusion in the Specialist Register or within 6 months of CCT at time of interview.
  • Approved under section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983.
  • MRC Psych Other professional qualification (eg CBT, PSI, CAT).
  • CCT in Learning Disability Psychiatry.
• Experience
  • Prior experience working in a Community Learning Disability Team.
  • Experience of psychiatric practice in a range of settings, especially the community.
  • Experience of audit and an understanding of the principles of clinical governance.
  • Evidence of development of special interest in adult mental health/neurodevelopmental disorders/epilepsy/dementia.
  • Proven commitment to improving the quality of clinical care.
• Teaching and Supervision
  • Experience of teaching undergraduates and postgraduates.
  • Evidence of additional teaching skills.
  • Experience as a lecturer or supervisor.
  • Experience in Clinical Supervision.

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.