Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist with certificate of sponsorship to the UK

Visa Information for International Applicants

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust welcomes applications from international candidates requiring skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer before applying. Even though sponsorship is offered, the final decision on sponsorship approval rests with the employer and depends on meeting specific UK visa requirements.

Job Summary

We are seeking two creative and dynamic highly specialist clinical psychologists to join our Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Service (MHLD). This is a specialist community service supporting adults with learning disabilities across the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. We provide services to adults with additional mental health difficulties and/or behaviours that challenge.

About the Role

These positions are based at Lewisham MHLD in central Catford, co-located with the CTLD health team. We welcome applications from candidates seeking both full-time and part-time work arrangements. As a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist, you will be part of a borough team managed by a team leader, working collaboratively with Psychiatry and CPN colleagues.

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a competitive salary ranging from £66,274 to £73,496 per annum, inclusive of HCAs. This is a permanent contract under the Agenda for Change pay scheme at Band 8a. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive benefits including a defined benefit pension scheme, NHS discounts, and access to extensive training and development opportunities.

Main Responsibilities

You will provide highly specialist psychological interventions to adults with learning disabilities who have additional mental health needs and/or behaviours that challenge. This includes specialist assessment, treatment, training to other staff, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes. You’ll contribute to creating a psychologically safe environment for staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds.

Team Structure

You’ll join a well-established group of 18 Psychologists and Behavioural Support Practitioners working across the three boroughs. Each borough is led by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. The team works in close partnership with local CTLD health teams and social care colleagues, with psychological and behavioural interventions delivered as part of a multidisciplinary care plan.

Key Duties Include:

• Providing clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a lead specialist in MHLD
• Undertaking service evaluation, audit, research and policy development
• Contributing psychological expertise within the wider multi-agency context
• Providing staff support including Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve
• Working as an autonomous professional within registration body guidelines

About Us

Across our three boroughs, we provide a range of psychological assessments and interventions for people with learning disabilities and their networks. We have specialist expertise in systemic, narrative, neuropsychology, CAT and positive behavioural approaches. As part of a Clinical Academic Group within Kings Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre, we encourage research interests and joint initiatives aimed at improving care.

Professional Development

You’ll have access to regular CPD sessions within the Trust and special interest/supervision groups offered by psychologists within the service. There are opportunities to develop and deliver training and consultation to provider services and mainstream mental health colleagues as part of your role.

Qualifications Required

Essential qualifications include an entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession with demonstrable practice (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) accepted for professional registration. You must also have additional training beyond entry-level in a specialised area of psychological practice at PG Diploma level or equivalent.

Registration Requirements

You must be registered with a professional body appropriate to your discipline (HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK). You should also have completed a training course in clinical supervision and/or be accredited to supervise qualified psychological practitioners in your relevant discipline.

Essential Experience

You must have evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in services for people with learning disabilities. Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with learning disabilities with complex psychological needs is required. You should also have experience of supervising assistant and trainees and providing teaching and training to psychologists or other professional groups.

Knowledge Requirements

You need theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for relevant treatments for people with learning disabilities. Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment, therapy and clinical psychometrics is essential. You must also understand legislation relating to the client group, mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities, as well as factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.

Essential Skills

You must be able to communicate skilfully and sensitively with clients, carers and colleagues, overcoming barriers to communication including sensory and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility. You should be able to plan and schedule assessments and interventions for individual clients and groups, and be skilled in administering psychometric and neuropsychological tests.

Abilities Required

You must be able to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to effective team functioning. You should be able to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations, and maintain concentration during observations, assessments and psychological interventions.

About the Trust

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is a leading mental health and social care provider. We have close links with the Estia Centre and are committed to improving physical and mental health care for people with learning disabilities. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, Stonewall Silver Employer 2022, and have achieved CQC Good rating.

Location and Working Environment

The Lewisham MHLD service is based at Old Town Hall, 1 Catford Road, London SE6 4RU. We offer a supportive working environment with opportunities for professional growth and development. The Trust is committed to flexible working arrangements where possible, and we encourage discussions about working patterns during the interview process.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health challenges, as we recognise the positive impact this experience can have on our work. We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity in our workforce.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit your application through the NHS Jobs website. International applicants should ensure they have all required documentation ready, including proof of professional registration, qualifications, and evidence of meeting the essential criteria outlined in this advertisement.

Application Checklist for International Candidates:

• Verify your eligibility for UK skilled worker sponsorship with the employer
• Prepare your CV with evidence of meeting all essential qualifications and experience
• Include a covering letter explaining your suitability for the role
• Provide proof of professional registration with a relevant UK professional body
• Prepare references that can speak to your clinical experience
• Ensure you understand the application deadline of 22 May 2026

Contact Information

For questions about the job, please contact Dr Julie Steel, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, at julie.steel@slam.nhs.uk or by phone at 02032289600. All inquiries regarding sponsorship should be directed to this contact person during the application process.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is 22 May 2026. Late applications will not be considered. We encourage early submission to allow sufficient time for processing your application and addressing any sponsorship-related inquiries.

Next Steps

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview where they will have the opportunity to discuss their experience, skills, and understanding of the role. The interview process may include a presentation and a written exercise. Successful candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check as part of our pre-employment procedures.

Additional Information

For more information about South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, please visit our website at https://www.slam.nhs.uk/. We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments during the application process and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their background.

Privacy Notice

Please be aware that your application data will be processed in accordance with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy policy, which can be viewed at https://www.slam.nhs.uk/about-us/privacy-and-gdpr/. We handle all applicant information with the utmost confidentiality and in compliance with data protection regulations.