Senior Psychologist YMCA Newark and Sherwood Clinical Services in Newark on Trent

At YMCA Robin Hood Group, we provide warm, loving, Ofsted registered homes across the East Midlands and Yorkshire where the children in our care receive the therapeutic care they need to heal and thrive. As a not-for-profit organisation, children are always our priority. Our unique, trauma-informed, therapeutic care model sets us apart, putting well-being before profit every time.

We are seeking a Senior Psychologist to join our in-house team. You will be instrumental in ensuring the children in our care receive the highest level of support but also support our staff by delivering training and supervision to ensure their well-being and growth.

Role Highlights

• Salary range: £67,000
• Location: YMCA Newark & Sherwood Community & Activity Village, Lord Hawke Way, Newark, NG24 4FH but with weekly travel to all our residential care homes which are located in Nottingham, Newark, Goole & Selby.
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week

The Role

We are looking for a passionate, values-led Senior Psychologist to join our children’s residential care service, to provide a high-quality therapeutic and psychological service to children in our homes. Due to the unique nature of our work, this role would suit someone from an education, counselling or forensic psychology background. The primary purpose of this role will be to promote the mental health, safety and wellbeing of children in our care. Key aspects of the role are supporting our teams to recognise and address the needs of children in our care through consultation, reflective practice, training and development and providing therapeutic support to young people where appropriate.

Whilst this role is primarily within the Children’s Residential Service, you will also lead on a really exciting pilot project with a local secondary school to support young people with their mental health and wellbeing. We hope this will lead to further projects where we can replicate this programme with other schools, benefiting more young people in our local community.

About You

We are looking for a Senior Psychologist (Counselling, Forensic, Educational, Clinical) with HPCP registration with post qualification experience in a setting relevant to our services. From your training and experience, you will also have at least two therapeutic modalities such as CBT or PACE although we are not specific on what they may be. We aren’t precious about your current job title; we value your experience and knowledge base and most importantly how you engage and work with children. You will need access to your own car and be willing to drive to our different homes as part of your role.

Does this sound like you?

• Committed to high standards: You’ll role model and drive excellence to consistently meet the highest quality standards.
• Resilient: You’ll support staff and children through tough days, helping maintain stability and positivity.
• Calm and consistent: You’ll lead without hesitation and support the team to respond to challenging behaviour with confidence and care.
• Caring: You’ll be child first in your approach. You’ll build strong relationships with the children to develop trust and secure attachments.
• Confident: You’ll advocate for children and work with the team to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.
• Flexible: Work-life balance is absolutely essential and we are really supportive of your out-of-work commitments but there may be times when the children’s needs extend beyond the 9-5 and we would love to know you can be flexible to meet those needs.
• A driver: Due to the locations of our homes, it is important you are able to reliably access our geographical area (Nottingham, Newark, Goole, Selby), and so a driving licence and access to a car is required.
• Safe to work with children: An enhanced DBS with child barred list check is required.

What We Value

We’re driven by our values and we look for these in every member of our team:

• We Seek Out – We’re always looking for ways to do better.
• We Welcome – We include, respect, and support everyone.
• We Inspire – We believe in every person’s potential.
• We Speak Out – We advocate for what’s right.
• We Serve Others – We act with compassion and purpose.

These values are more than just words—they shape how we work, lead, and serve.

Our North Star

Everything we do is inspired by our ambition that every child and young person we support:

• Builds the relationships that help them discover who they are
• Develops the skills and confidence to shape their own life
• Learns how to connect with and contribute to the world around them

You will play a vital role in achieving this mission.

Benefits

We value your commitment and relentless dedication and have crafted a package of health & well-being benefits. Here’s some of what you can expect:

• Funded training, qualifications & career progression across YMCA services
• Quarterly Campfires - celebrating our impact across the organisation
• Wellbeing package (after passing probation): 24/7 GP access, health/dental cashback, Employment Assistance Programme
• Minimum of 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 28 days with service
• Discounted YMCA childcare & holiday clubs
• £500 refer-a-friend bonus
• Equivalent of 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) increasing 1 day each year for your first 5 years!
• Workplace pension with Royal London (3% employer contribution, 5% employee contribution)
• 4 x Life Insurance/Death in Service whilst in the pension scheme
• Reduced school holiday childcare places at YMCA Camp Williams Nottingham & Newark
• 10% off in our hospitality venues including the Malt Cross and the Café at our Activity Village in Newark.
• Pastoral support
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Excellent opportunities for development and progression
• Support for further study up to post-graduate level 7 courses to support your development
• £500 refer a friend scheme applicable across the Group
• Regular ongoing inhouse training
• Eligible to join the Blue Light Discount scheme
• Staff events and annual celebrations
• Private medical and dental cashback scheme with Westfield Health and access to Westfield Rewards for high street discounts
• £120 cash annual contribution towards either: Travel costs or; Childcare costs or; Private gym membership

Diversity & Safer Recruitment

YMCA Robin Hood Group is committed to equal opportunities, promoting diversity, and creating an inclusive culture where all staff can thrive. Should you require any adjustments to support your full participation in our recruitment process, we would encourage you to share your needs with us so we can support you with your requirements. Please contact our recruitment team in the first instance. We follow rigorous safer recruitment processes to ensure the protection of children, young people, and adults at risk. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, reference checks, and thorough vetting as part of our commitment to safeguarding.