At a Glance
- Tasks: Co-lead an innovative mental health service for individuals with complex emotional needs.
- Company: Join Cheshire and Wirral Partnership, a compassionate and inclusive NHS Trust.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development, and supportive team culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and a focus on compassionate care.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping mental health pathways.
- Qualifications: Must be HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with experience in trauma-informed practice.
The predicted salary is between 66582 - 77368 £ per year.
We are recruiting a Band 8b Clinical Psychologist to co-lead a new Enhanced MHIST Function supporting people who may attract a diagnosis of "personality disorder", who are not yet ready for therapy, and who frequently present in crisis or struggle to build trusting relationships with services. This is an exciting opportunity to shape an innovative, psychologically informed pathway for individuals with complex emotional needs. The job will require travel across the whole of the CWP patch.
What We Offer
- Supportive, psychologically minded MDT.
- Opportunities to shape a new enhanced function within MHIST.
- Regular supervision and access to CPD relevant to role.
- A compassionate, reflective, recovery-focused service culture.
Main Duties
- Co-develop the pathway.
- Provide senior clinical leadership for the Enhanced MHIST Function.
- Deliver specialist biopsychosocial assessment, trauma-informed formulation, and support staff to provide approaches focussed on relational safety and stabilisation.
- Support individuals with repeated crises, high service contact, and relational difficulties.
- Offer consultation, supervision, and reflective practice to MDT colleagues.
- Lead formulation-driven care planning to reduce avoidable admissions and improve continuity of care.
- Champion compassionate, non-stigmatising approaches to "personality disorder" and complex emotional needs.
- Contribute to service development, evaluation, and quality improvement.
About You
- HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist.
- Significant post-qualification experience with complex emotional needs, trauma, and risk.
- Skilled in relational, trauma-informed, and formulation-driven practice.
- Confident providing clinical leadership, consultation, and supervision.
- Able to work collaboratively across MDTs and partner services.
- Committed to improving engagement and reducing crisis presentations.
There is potential for the service to transition to a 7-day model in the future.
About us
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire. We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport. Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.
Details
- Date posted: 28 July 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8b
- Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year per annum
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 373-SMH2729
- Job locations: Chester, Bowmere hospital, Chester, CH2 1BQ, United Kingdom
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Essential: Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including specifically models of understanding human problems, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
- HCPC Registered
- Desirable: Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice. Formal training in supervision of other psychologists. BPS chartered status.
Knowledge and Expertise
- Essential: Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical, and clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS. Skills in providing Consultation to other professionals and non-professional groups.
- Desirable: Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of applied psychology and specialised psychological therapies in working with people with complex difficulties (e.g. severe MH problems; personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities etc).
Experience
- Essential: Experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist for a number of years.
- Desirable: Involvement in local and/or national DCP and other professional activities.
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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Principal Clinical Psychologist - Lead in Chester employer: National health service
The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises patient safety and service improvement. With a strong commitment to employee development, including leadership training and apprenticeship programmes, staff are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to the health of London. The Trust's inclusive culture and focus on quality management ensure that employees feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Clinical Psychologist - Lead in Chester
✨Get Involved in Local Psychological Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Clinical Psychologist - Lead in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV with Relevant Experience:In psychology, it’s crucial to highlight your relevant experience, such as internships, research projects, or any volunteer work in mental health settings. Make sure to include specific roles and responsibilities, demonstrating how you've applied theoretical knowledge in real-world situations—this is what gets us excited!
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:Given the nature of psychology, we want to see your academic journey laid out clearly. Include your degree(s), grades, and any specialised courses or certifications that set you apart. If you've got published papers or presentations at conferences, be sure to mention them—it shows your commitment to the field!
Personal Statement: Make It Count:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Share insights about why you’re passionate about psychology and how this role at National health service connects with your career goals. Be honest about your motivations and what you hope to learn—this is key for a full-time position and helps us gauge your fit in our team!
Focus on Soft Skills in Your Application:Psychology is as much about people as it is about theories. Highlight your soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork in your application. These traits are essential in our field and will help us see how you connect with others, so don't hold back in showcasing them!
How to prepare for a job interview at National health service
✨Brush Up on Key Psychological Theories
Before stepping into the interview with National health service, revisit key psychological theories that are relevant to the role, like cognitive behavioural therapy or humanistic psychology. Expect to discuss these during your interview, as they want to see how you apply theory to practice.
✨Bring Real-Life Case Studies
Prepare a couple of case studies or anecdotes that demonstrate your practical experience in psychology. Whether it’s handling a difficult client or designing a psychological assessment, these stories will highlight your skills and help you stand out in your full-time interview.
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Get comfy with the ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society. Be ready to chat about how you ensure ethical practice in your work, as this is crucial in the psychology field, and National health service will be keen to know you’ve got integrity.
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Since you're going for a full-time gig, it’s essential to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development. Bring up any workshops, courses, or readings you’ve engaged in recently. This shows National health service that you’re not just there for a job, but genuinely passionate about the field.
