Job summary

Part time Role - 30 Hours Per Week

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking psychological therapy service that is at the forefront of innovative community mental health care.

The Core Community Psychological Service provides evidence-based group and individual psychological interventions for people experiencing complex mental health difficulties. Developed in response to the Community Mental Health Framework, the service addresses the gap between primary and secondary mental health care, ensuring that people with complex needs receive timely, accessible, and effective psychological support.

As Lead Clinical Psychologist / Psychological Therapist, you will play a key role within our Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT) team, delivering evidence-based psychological interventions through both group programmes and individual therapy. While an existing MBT qualification would be advantageous, it is not essential, as comprehensive training and ongoing supervision will be provided.

Alongside your clinical work, you will be an integral member of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with colleagues across health, social care, and the voluntary sector to improve access to high-quality psychological therapies for our diverse communities across Bradford District and Craven.

The post is based within our Aire-Wharfe locality, although some travel across Bradford District and Craven will be required.

Closing Date: 21st July 26
Shortlisting Date: 22nd July 26
Interview Date: 30th July 26

Main duties of the job

The clinical caseload is varied, with much of the work focusing on individuals whose experiences of trauma continue to impact their emotional wellbeing, relationships, and quality of life. You will bring strong assessment, formulation, and therapeutic skills, alongside the ability to communicate effectively, work autonomously, and contribute positively within a collaborative team.

Our service is underpinned by the principles of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and neurodivergent-affirming practice. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement, regularly refining our service through innovation, evaluation, and co-production. We are therefore looking for someone who is adaptable, reflective, and enthusiastic about contributing to the ongoing development of our service.

We welcome applications from candidates who are in the final year of their Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and due to qualify this year. Successful applicants who have not yet obtained HCPC registration will be appointed at Agenda for Change Band 6 until registration is confirmed, after which they will progress to the substantive band for the role.

If you are passionate about delivering compassionate, evidence-based psychological care and would like to be part of an innovative and supportive team committed to improving outcomes for people with complex mental health needs, we would love to hear from you.

About us

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values:

• We Care - We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference
• We Listen - We understand people's views and respond to their individual needs
• We Deliver - We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners

We will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including:

• Increase mileage rates for >4500
• A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages
• A range of internal and external development and learning opportunities
• Plus many more.

We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.

Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.

Right to Work in the UK

Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.

Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.

Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.

As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.

Person Specification

Qualifications
Essential

• Doctorate level training in clinical or applied psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical, psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS, or a BPS Statement of Equivalence. OR Specialist post graduate training to masters level or equivalent in a psychotherapeutic modality - including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Psychoanal
• Accreditation from a recognised Psychological Therapy body e.g. BABCP, BACP, UKCP, HCPC via: (a) Professional route; requiring previous mental health qualification e.g. Clin. Psych., RMN, Dip. SW. or (b) where applicable, the KSA (knowledge, skills and attitude) route (e.g. with the BABCP).

Experience
Essential

• Experience in a relevant area of mental health practise
• Application of evidence-based psychological therapies relevant to clinical service

Desirable

• Involvement in innovative clinical practise

Skills
Essential

• Be able to meet the service needs for mobility across the geographical area covered.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.

Desirable

• Skills in group work
• Planning and organising skills for caseload management.

Attitude
Essential

• Aware of racial, culture sexuality and gender issues, and their impact on mental health and in therapy.

Knowledge
Essential

• Evidence based psychological therapies relevant to clinical service

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

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Meridian House, Bradford Road, Keighley, BD21 4AD, United Kingdom

Employer's website: Apply through our website

For questions about the job, contact:
Consultant Psychological Therapist/Clinical Lead
Laura Dixon
laura.dixon@bdct.nhs.uk
07584382988