Consultant Applied Psychologist

We invite you to be part of our psychology leadership team in the Black Country - joining a growing group of Consultant Psychologists and psychotherapists across our 4 clinical divisions (MH, LD, CYPF, OA).
You will join the MH Consultants team, acting as the 0.6 wte Consultant 8c psychologist across our Wolverhampton locality Planned Care services. Working closely with the Mental Health Divisional Lead, your role will be to strengthen the workforce and oversee governance of the psychological offer within these community localities. Our planned care services have recently adopted a new model as a result of Community Transformation. You will work closely with the other locality based Consultant Psychology leads to ensure that the resultant new pathways are embedded, that the MDT is appropriately upskilled and supervised and that the psychological offer is broad and evidence based.
You will provide direct professional and/or clinical oversight supervision to the Principal psychologists working within Wolverhampton planned care and will lead on strategic projects as agreed with the Divisional Lead, On a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for the psychological provision offered within the Wolverhampton planned care teams. This includes direct oversight of the Principal psychologists plus indirect oversight of any senior, basic grade, trainee and assistant psychologists. You will work closely with Ops and MDT leads on governance and quality initiatives and represent and influence from a psychological lens in various Divisional meetings. Recruitment and retention initiatives will be an ongoing priority area as will waiting list initiatives and engagement with the 3^rd sector and system partners to address these. You will have opportunities to maintain your clinical skills through negotiated and varied routes although the main focus of this role is leadership, governance and quality. You will develop a job plan that is consistent with BPS guidance, and which will be reviewed and referenced regularly in your personal development review meetings and
supervisions., You will join an expanding team of Mental Health Division Consultant Psychologists spanning all 7 of the clinical service areas that sit within the Division. You will become a regular and embedded member of the pan Trust Consultant Psychologists group and contribute to the governance and development of the profession within the Trust.
Your operational management will be provided by a Senior Operational Manager whilst your professional supervisory oversight will come from the MH Divisional Lead. Your clinical supervision arrangements will be determined once in post, with specialist and external options available if necessary.
BCHFT are committed to investment in our Psychology staff so you will have access to a psychology specific dedicated CPD budget to support your professional growth.
The main responsibilities of the role are detailed in the attached JD and PS. Please reference these for more detail.
Applying and timelines
We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications, so please apply soon. We shortlist after the closing date and will contact shortlisted candidates usually within two weeks. If you haven't heard by then, you haven't been shortlisted. Please check your email for updates and contact Recruitment for feedback.
Pay and contracts
Most NHS roles are paid under NHS Agenda for Change. With us - your starting point is set against the advertised band and your relevant NHS service, with progression through annual increments.
Medical and Very Senior Manager roles follow separate national pay frameworks, not Agenda for Change. Details are provided in each advert and during recruitment.
Standards and checks
· Clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the Care Certificate. If you don't have it yet, we'll support you to complete it in post.
· Some roles require a Standard or Enhanced DBS check under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record won't automatically prevent employment. We consider the role and individual circumstances.
· We are an equal opportunities employer, offer flexible working, and are a smoke free Trust.
Inclusion, equality and adjustments
· We are an equal opportunities employer and offer flexible working.
· We are an anti-racist, disability-inclusive and LGBTQ+-inclusive Trust.
· We welcome applications from under-represented groups and people with lived experience relevant to our services, including Black and Asian colleagues, Disabled people (including non-visible disabilities such as neurodiversity and mental health) and LGBTQ+ people.
· Disabled applicants can request consideration under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme where essential criteria are met. You can ask for reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process.
Our culture and values
Best for the Black Country is our improvement journey. We share a clear vision and values, lead with compassion and visibility, listen to every voice, keep improving what we do and take ownership for delivery. You'll feel it in how teams support each other and in the impact your work has on local people. If you want to contribute, learn and progress, this is a great time to join us.

You will have regular contact with, and support from, the Divisional Lead psychologist and the locality Senior Ops manager. Experience and training in EMDR and trauma informed care would be particularly useful whilst robust risk assessment and management skills are essential. You must be comfortable with MDT working and teamwork.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is growing and changing. We provide specialist mental health, learning disability and community services across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, and we're hiring people who want to shape what comes next.
Formed on 1 April 2020 through the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, we're now focused on the future with a new Trust Strategy and our Best for the Black Country programme.
What we do
· Adult and older adult mental health
· Children and young people's mental health
· Specialist learning disability services
· Community healthcare for children, young people and families in Dudley
Why join now
· We've got real momentum right now. New strategy, clear priorities and our Best for the Black Country work mean things are moving in the right way, fast.
· Our values aren't just posters. People are genuinely compassionate, take responsibility, treat you with respect and help you feel confident and empowered.
· You'll be looked after. Flexible working, family-friendly policies, supportive teams, proper wellbeing support and chances to learn with coaching and development.
· There's room to grow. Loads of services to explore and real space to try ideas and be heard.
· It's a good place to live. Friendly diverse communities, easy transport, good schools and colleges, shopping, food, lots to do, plenty of green space and a lower cost of living than many other city regions.
What it's like to work here
You'll join friendly, skilled teams who look out for each other. We plan together, share caseload pressures, and celebrate wins. New starters get a warm welcome and clear induction; early careers colleagues have preceptorship and buddying; experienced staff can lead, teach and innovate. You'll have space to do good work, speak up, and see the difference you make.
Who we are
We're 4,000+ colleagues from many backgrounds, committed to improving health and wellbeing for our communities and for each other. If you're excited about the role but don't tick every box, please apply. We value potential and transferable experience., BCHFT was formed in April 2020 from two legacy Trusts. Forming at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we faced the dual challenges of merger whilst also managing the impact of Covid on both our staff and clients.
On July 1st 2022 the Trust became Lead Provider within the Black Country ICS and the next phase of our development has been realising the benefits and complexities of this role, alongside the ongoing transformation agenda brought by the NHS Long Term Plan.
You will be joining the organisation at a time of change and pace and so an ability to work within this context will be essential.