Clinical Psychologist

Ready for a role where your psychology can genuinely shape a developing service? PATH is growing, and we’re looking for a Clinical Psychologist who is energised by complexity, values-led practice, and the chance to build something alongside a passionate team. This is an exciting moment to join us—bringing your ideas, your therapeutic skill, and your professional leadership to a service that is ambitious about outcomes and relentless about care and compassion. 
 
We’re proud to be part of an Ofsted rated Outstanding provision, and we’re investing in psychological thinking as a central part of how we work. If you’re looking for a post with space for creativity, strong multi-disciplinary relationships, and real opportunity to develop specialist expertise, PATH could be the right next step. 

We warmly welcome applicants with strong knowledge of neurodiversity, early trauma and the experiences of adopted and care-experienced people, including those with lived or professional expertise. 

A values-based team you’ll want to be part of

You’ll be joining a warm, supportive and highly committed group of professionals who care deeply about the people we serve and the quality of our practice. We work collaboratively—sharing thinking, holding risk together, and making space for reflection even when we’re working at pace. Psychological safety matters here: you’ll have access to supervision, peer support and opportunities for CPD. 

What you’ll bring 

• Professional expertise in psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and consultation, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice. 

• Confidence with complexity—able to hold risk, uncertainty and co-occurring needs, while staying compassionate and person-centred. 

• At least two therapeutic modalities relevant to this sector (e.g., CBT, ACT, CFT, DBT-informed approaches, systemic/family therapy, EMDR, or other trauma-focused therapies), and the ability to integrate approaches thoughtfully. 

• Collaborative team working—you enjoy working across disciplines and with partner agencies, contributing to shared plans and shared outcomes. 

• Agility and pace—able to prioritise, adapt and respond to changing needs while maintaining high clinical standards and clear documentation. 

• A development mindset—motivation to contribute to a growing hub, improve pathways, and evaluate impact using outcomes and feedback. 

We’re also happy to discuss the opportunity with clinical / counselling psychologists who may be earlier in their career. If you can demonstrate a strong commitment to this sector—through relevant placements, roles, voluntary work, research, reflective learning, or lived experience that informs your practice—we would welcome a conversation. We’re interested in potential as well as experience: your values, your curiosity, and the way you work with people and systems matter to us. 

ROLE PROFILE

JOB TITLE:

Clinical Psychologist

ACCOUNTABLE TO:

Clinical Lead

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Clinical Director

HOURS OF WORK:

Full time / Part time

LOCATION:

Remote working with travel flexibility

DURATION:

Permanent

SALARY / GRADE:

Grade 8 £43,471 - £59,389  (pro rata for part time)

 

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

 

•      Clinical Director and PATH Clinical Lead
•      PATH team
•      AUK staff
•      Children and adults accessing our services
•      Referrers and external agencies as appropriate

 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Deliver high-quality psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for the PATH client group.

 

·       Provide specialist advice, consultation and reflective practice to colleagues and partner services.

 

·       Facilitating reflective groups for families referred to PATH.

 

·       Identify and manage safeguarding risk in line with AUK policies.

 

·       Contribute to multidisciplinary formulation and intervention planning.

 

·       Support service development, evaluation and quality improvement, using outcome measures and feedback.

 

·       Maintain accurate clinical records and produce clear, timely reports for a range of audiences.

 

·       Provide line management and/or supervision within the PATH team.

 

·       Contribute to the training offer within Adoption UK

 

·       To contribute to and maintain accurate records for those using the service on Adoption UK systems and ensuring compliance with both GDPR, safeguarding and confidentiality.

 

    CRITERIA

 

Knowledge and Experience

•        Experience of working with children and families experiencing the effects of trauma and attachment difficulties (Essential)

•        Extensive experience of working within the field of mental health (Essential)

•        Experience of working with adoption services (Essential)

•        Experience of providing clinical supervision to staff and therapists delivering services to vulnerable families (Essential)

•        Knowledge and experience of safeguarding process and procedures (Essential)

•        Extensive experience and specialist training/accreditation in relevant subjects and differing types of therapy such as DDP, Theraplay, Neurodiversity, Life story, NVR (Desirable)

•        Knowledge of adoption services including AGSGF processes (Desirable)

 

Qualifications and Education

•        Doctoral Level Clinical Psychologist (Essential)

•        Current registration with a professional body HCPC (Essential)

•        Evidence of continuing professional development (Essential)

•        Training in a range of therapeutic modalities e.g. NVR, DDP, Theraplay, Internal Family Systems, Sensory Attachment Intervention (Essential)

Skills and Abilities

•        Leadership and support skills

•        Group work skills

•        A reflective and empowering approach

•        Strong application of theory

•        Creativity and innovative approach to service delivery

•        A commitment to the voice of children and families

Accountability

•        Consultant Clinical Psychologist

•        Responsible for maintaining own professional standards

•        Responsible for delivering practice within the policies and standards of the charity

Behaviours

•        Demonstrates commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of role at all times.

•        Contributes to an open and honest culture

•        Supports, encourages, and motivates colleagues.

•        Encourages challenge, creativity and innovation.

•        Leads by example.

•        Values transparency and consistency.

•        Understands the role of individual and collective accountability.

•        Actively contributes to Adoption UK’s mission.

•        Has a clear understanding of other colleagues’ roles and responsibilities

•        Shares skills and knowledge.

•        Promotes Cross Functional team working.

•        Offers outstanding service to members.

•        Takes pride in Adoption UK and promotes its values in all interactions with external stakeholders.

•        Identifies and uses the most appropriate form of communication.

•        Communicates clearly, seeking clarity when unclear and valuing the opinion of others.

•        Treats colleagues and other stakeholders with respect, honesty, fairness and courtesy

•        Is responsive to colleagues, third party professionals and service users.

•        Takes pride in own development.

•        Enthusiastic and committed to achieving high standards and meeting agreed objectives.

•        Takes an active interest in recognising professional and personal development needs and priorities within Adoption UK.

 

This role profile is a guide to the nature of the work required and may involve other such duties as deemed necessary by the Organisation. It is not wholly comprehensive or restrictive. The role profile will be reviewed with the post-holder at significant points for the Organisation.

Postholder is expected to abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice, and to work within a framework of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.