Job summary
We are seeking an innovative, responsive, and adaptable Clinical Lead for Complex Emotional and Relational Needs (CERN) to provide clinical leadership to the SCMHT CERN service, drive service development, support the wider team, and promote collaborative, team-based ways of working that deliver high-quality care and positive outcomes for service users.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will -

• Clinically lead the Wigan CERN pathways across adult and older adult community services, ensuring the pathways are compliant with best practice and standards and are codesigned, coproduced and evaluated with experts by experience (EBE).
• Provide clinical leadership, supervision, support and consultation to the locality teams.
• Through consultation and direct engagement with people with CERN, support other MDT professionals in the management of cases as required.
• To provide therapeutic interventions as required for people with complex emotional and relational needs, to include but not limited to Structured Clinical Management (SCM) and Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT).
• To provide clinical supervision to Senior Practitioners for CERN and other staff requiring expert supervision as required.
• Provide training as appropriate on therapeutic interventions for CERN.
• To ensure effective evaluation and development of the CERN pathways and associated service developments in line with the Trust strategy.
• To work in collaboration with wider psychological professionals and engage in the continued development of the Psychological Therapies Hub and the wider transformation of community mental health services.

The successful candidate will be trained/accredited, or willing to undertake training/accreditation, in one of the six core therapeutic modalities: SCM, MBT, EMDR, CBT-P&B, CAT, or BFT.

About us
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Details
Date posted: 20 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 437-8314397
Closing date: 02 November 2026

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts

Person Specification
Education / qualification
Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse, Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or similar professional qualification.
• Evidence of completion of accredited training in SCM or MBT.

Desirable

• Masters level qualification. Evidence of post qualifying education.

Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working with this service user group
• Post registration experience of working in multi-disciplinary team in a clinical setting
• Evidence of post registration training / development
• Experience of service evaluation and service development
• Experience of planning and delivering training

Desirable

• Additional qualifications in psychological or psychologically informed interventions such as DBT/CAT/EMDR
• Experience of working within a CMHT
• Experience of providing clinical and line management supervision

Knowledge
Essential

• Understand the Clinical Governance agenda and provide representation in local groups supporting consultation and implementation.
• Knowledge and understanding of the theory underpinning working with people with Complex Emotional and Relational Needs
• Understanding of the national and regional legislation, guidance, and policy directives in relation to the development and delivery of psychological therapies within community services. Specifically, Community Transformation agenda.

Skills/abilities
Essential

• Must demonstrate the ability to: Offer advice and consultation to members of the multi disciplinary team based on best evidence.
• Participate in and ensure provision of clinical supervision, both as supervisee and supervisor
• Lead on and participate in multi-agency meetings e.g. Protection of Vulnerable Adults, Child Protection.

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.

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Wigan SCMHT, Claire House, Wigan, WN3 4NW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Laura O'Brien-King, laura.obrienking@gmmh.nhs.uk

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