Child & Adolescent Psychologist with certificate of sponsorship to the UK

Important Visa Information

This position offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates seeking to work in the UK. However, applicants must verify their eligibility with the employer directly, as visa requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; refer to the Direct Gov website for specific eligibility information.

Job Overview

Livewell Southwest is seeking a highly qualified Child & Adolescent Psychologist to join our CAMHS Children in Care (CIC) Pathway team. This is a permanent position offering 30 hours per week with flexible working arrangements, including part-time and job share options. The salary range is £49,387 to £56,515 per annum, pro-rata, based on Agenda for Change Band 7.

Location and Working Environment

The position is based at Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3LS. Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centers, and health hubs, providing a supportive and diverse working environment.

Role Purpose

The primary purpose of this role is to improve the psychological health and wellbeing of children and young people by providing highly specialist clinical psychology services and clinical leadership to the CAMHS Children in Care (CIC) Pathway. This pathway focuses on children and young people who are particularly vulnerable, at increased risk of developing complex mental health problems, and those who have experienced abuse, trauma, and loss in their early years.

Key Responsibilities

The post holder will organize and provide direct specialist psychological assessments for children and young people with complex mental health needs. This includes developing formulations and appraising the suitability of various forms of psychological intervention. A range of specialist assessment techniques will be used, including psychometric testing, specialist neuro-developmental and attachment assessments.

Clinical Supervision and Leadership

You will be responsible for clinical supervision of professionals in the CAMHS CIC pathway who provide specialist assessment and intervention. The role involves developing, providing, and managing psychological interventions to individuals or groups, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of this work. You will also contribute to improving the quality of your own and others’ work.

Multi-Agency Collaboration

Liaising with colleagues in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings, as well as staff from Social Services, Education, and the voluntary sector, is a key aspect of this role. You will contribute to multi-agency care planning, involving the assessment of complex health and wellbeing needs, and develop, monitor, and review care plans in accordance with CAMHS protocols.

Innovation and Research

The post holder will be involved in researching and developing new systems of specialist psychological provision within the service. You will be expected to be innovative in considering ways psychological assessment and interventions are conducted, and to participate in clinical research, evaluation, and audit of the service while engaging in clinical governance activities.

Professional Development

You will maintain activity data, records, and statistical returns in accordance with CAMHS policy. Through appropriate training and continued professional development, you will continue to develop your specialist clinical interests and expertise, providing specialist therapeutic services and advice on approaches or problems where you have particular expertise.

About Livewell Southwest

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centers, and health hubs.

Our Values and Culture

As an organization with a strong social conscience, we are guided by our values of kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability while empowering staff and those we serve. We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive.

Employee Development

We prioritize employee development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organization. Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
• Professional registration with the HCPC
• Eligible for membership of the Clinical Psychology division of the BPS

Essential Experience

• Clinical experience as a child clinical psychologist during or after training
• Experience of multidisciplinary/multi-agency working
• Experience of delivering training
• Experience of working with multi-agencies in safeguarding systems
• Experience of working with children/young people who have neurodiversity

Essential Skills

• Complex psychological assessment, case planning, intervention, and evaluation skills
• Skills in clinical formulation and diagnoses
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Competence in research/audit and evaluation

Desirable Attributes

• Clinical experience within a CAMHs department
• Experience of training and supervising psychology assistants/undergraduates
• Ability to represent psychology within a multidisciplinary team
• Additional qualification in psychological therapy or assessment
• Computer literacy and knowledge of statistical packages

Application Information

The closing date for applications is 24 May 2026. Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend submitting your application at the earliest opportunity.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and it will be necessary for a submission to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country where they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

How to Apply

Apply via NHS Jobs website. For questions about the job, contact Ceri Chapman (CAMHS Child In Care pathway manager) at ceri.chapman1@nhs.net or 0175243125.

International Applicants Checklist

• Verify your eligibility for UK work visa with the employer
• Prepare required documentation including professional qualifications and registration
• Gather criminal record certificates from all countries where you have lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years
• Contact the employer directly to discuss sponsorship details
• Ensure your application addresses all essential criteria in the person specification

Additional Information

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7-day service. The post holder must keep informed on current psychological practice in the field of child, adolescent, and family mental health and foster good psychological practice and skills within the service.

Professional Requirements

In carrying out activities, the post holder will be guided by the code of ethics of the British Psychological Society, the Society’s Division of Clinical Psychology, and protocols developed within the organization. The post holder will need to meet HCPC requirements and keep themselves appraised of relevant legislation, such as the Children Act and Child Protection legislation.

Teaching and Development

The post holder will be involved in teaching within clinical psychology services, developing and undertaking formal and informal training for other disciplines and groups working with children and young people in care and their families. This may include teaching to Social Services, Education, foster carers, and voluntary organizations, as well as contributing to the Doctorate and Clinical Psychology Training at Plymouth University.

Employer Details

Livewell Southwest is located at Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3LS. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/. We are proud to be recognized as an Armed Forces Covenant, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold, Disability Confident Leader, Mindful Employer, and Veteran Aware organization.

Supporting Documents

The following supporting documents are available for applicants: Full JD and Spec (DOC, 100 KB), Summary Statement of Terms and Conditions (PDF, 199 KB), Applicant Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (PDF, 121 KB), and Identification Guidance (DOCX, 64 KB).

Privacy Notice

Please review Livewell Southwest’s privacy notice which can be found at https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Employees-Workers-and-Contractors-Privacy-Notice-Covid-Update-June-20___.pdf