Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Psychotherapist within the Richmond and Wandsworth Community Drug and Alcohol Service (RWCDAS), a specialist NHS addictions service led by SLaM in partnership with WRWU, St Mungo's and CDARS. The service provides trauma-informed care for people experiencing substance misuse, complex trauma, interpersonal difficulties, social exclusion and risk-taking, particularly those facing multiple disadvantage. The postholder will play a key role in delivering a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE), providing compassionate, evidence-based and culturally responsive care. Responsibilities include specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention, care planning, outcome monitoring, multidisciplinary consultation, supervision and training of third-sector staff. Opportunities include service development, audit, quality improvement and research to support innovation. You will join a supportive psychology team with strong links to SLaM Addictions CAG and IoPPN. Professional development opportunities include CPD, teaching on MSc and Clinical Psychology Doctorate programmes, leadership in trauma-informed care and supervision. Applications are welcomed from newly qualified and soon-to-qualify Clinical/Counselling Psychologists and psychotherapists. The service is committed to an inclusive, anti-racist culture that promotes equality, diversity, psychological safety, service improvement and innovation.

Main duties of the job

Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and treatment for adults with co-occurring conditions, including trauma, PD, anxiety, depression, OCD and psychosis. Conduct and interpret psychological, neuropsychological and psychometric assessments to inform formulation and care planning. Deliver evidence-based individual and group interventions, monitor outcomes and adapt treatment plans accordingly. Implementing appropriate risk management plans. Work autonomously within HCPC, BPS and Trust standards, responsible for clinical decision-making, treatment and discharge planning. Contribute to psychologically and trauma-informed services, supporting care pathways and improving access for socially excluded populations. Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively, adapting approaches to meet cultural, sensory and communication needs. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to provide integrated, person-centred care. Support service development through audit, research, evaluation and QI, disseminating findings through reports and presentations. Provide consultation, training and clinical supervision to colleagues, assistant psychologists and trainees. Contribute to workforce development and evidence-based practice across mental health and addiction services. Maintain high standards of record keeping, report writing and data management, engage in CPD and ensure services remain inclusive, accessible, responsive to diverse communities.

About us

Richmond and Wandsworth Community Drug and Alcohol Service (RWCDAS) is part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), within the Addictions Clinical Academic Group. The Trust provides recognised high quality learning and development opportunities as well as offering the chance to be involved in research projects through the Institute of Psychiatry and globally respected Addictions Department. This is a Consortium partnership comprised of We Are With You, St. Mungo's, CDARS and SLaM, with SLaM being the lead agency in this model. This is a cross borough contract since 1st April 2020 with shared leadership and specialist roles as well as local core services. RWCDAS provide an excellent and first class range of drug and alcohol treatment options to residents of the two Boroughs. Our services are busy and dynamic, with a strong recovery focus. We currently operate a core site in Wandsworth and Richmond plus various satellites including in primary care. We in-reach to local hospitals, offer street outreach, and work closely with local stakeholders including social care and mental health. We also have a comprehensive online offer. We are growing an experienced network of volunteers and peer mentors to support treatment delivery. We champion Freedom To Speak Up locally, as well as actively ensuring an inclusive and anti-racist stance within the workplace and the work we do.

Job responsibilities

Personal Specification:

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

Entry level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration.

Registered with professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP.

Desirable Requirements

Additional training in relevant specialist psychological models (CBT, MBT, DBT, CAT, Systemic).

Experience

Essential Requirements

Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in adult mental health (e.g., addictions, homelessness, complex trauma, mood disorders, personality disorders).

Experience of engagement of hard-to-reach clients.

Experience of working with, and addressing, issues of diversity.

Experience of consulting and joint working with other staff.

Desirable Requirements

Experience of specialist work with trauma and complex trauma.

Experience of providing teaching and training to other professional groups.

Knowledge / Skills

Essential Requirements

Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis

Awareness of racial diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care.

Specialist and transferable psychological skills and knowledge relevant to work with clients with substance use disorders.

Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner with appropriate level of clinical and managerial supervision.

Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning.

Highly developed verbal and written communication skills (incl. delivering complex and sensitive information to clients, families and staff).

Desirable Requirements

Consultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups within own service