Applied Psychologist/Highly Specialist Psychologist

This post offers exciting opportunities within the Durham Adult Learning Disability Service. The service consists of Integrated Community Teams based across the region, with the current post to be with the South Durham Integrated Community Teams based at Green Lane. The multi-disciplinary teams offer specialist health services to adults with a learning disability, their families and carers. The teams also work closely with statutory agencies and others who provide services to people with a learning disability.

We are seeking to appoint an Applied Psychologist. The vacancy is open to either a newly qualified Psychologist or an experienced Psychologist, with appropriate job description and banding being applied accordingly to the successful candidate. Depending on candidates' experience they may start at any of the following increments: Band 7, Band 7-8a developmental or Band 8a. If recruited to a band 7 post, this will be a developmental post with progression to an 8a banding upon meeting the criteria within the 8a job description and competency framework.

We welcome applications from staff who are currently coming to the end of their training in Clinical or Counselling Psychology that on successful completion will achieve the required qualification and registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist. Trainee clinical psychologists are eligible to apply when they are in their third year of training. Psychologist Trainee Counselling Psychologists are eligible to apply when they are in their 3rd year of the doctoral training and have the following confirmed as completed by the university:

• All clinical competencies.
• 80% of the 450 supervised clinical practice hours (360 hours).

The post holder will have a key role in providing psychological assessments as well as a therapeutic, consultative and advisory service in relation to adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers, according to identified clinical need. In addition to direct clinical work, providing consultation and where necessary clinical supervision to other team members in regard to patients is an important element of the role.

Applicants should have experience in working within Learning Disability services and show strong patient-centred values. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, motivated, and demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent mental health care and evidence-based interventions. Opportunities to develop special interests and co-work will be encouraged, as will opportunities to undertake service development activities.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position.

Details:

• Date posted: 04 November 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £49,387 to £64,750 a year per annum
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 346-DDL-024-26
• Job locations: South Durham ALD Community, Green Lane Council Offices, Spennymoor, DL16 6JQ, United Kingdom

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

• Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Post doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice.
• Trained in clinical supervision and the supervision of doctoral trainees.
• Trained in care co-ordination.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Experience:

• 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 a range of care settings.
• Exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care as a care coordinator within the context of a multidisciplinary team.

Knowledge / Skills:

• Risk assessment and risk management.
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
• Communicate highly complex and highly sensitive information effectively, to a wide range of people.

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.

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.