Senior Clinical Psychologist - Perinatal Mental Health Services

at  Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

We are pleased to offer a full time Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist 8a post in EPUT Essex Perinatal Mental Health Service (PMHS). Following significant investment in psychology provision the service delivers high quality support and intervention to mothers, their infants and their families. PMHS consists of five perinatal hubs with a staff mix comprising of Nursing, Psychiatry, Psychology as well as MDT skill mix of Nursery Nursing, OT and social work. There are strong pathways and relationships with maternity, health visiting, secondary care mental health services and primary care services to provide more streamlined, timely and effective care for mothers in the perinatal period. This post will be in North West Locality (Harlow, Loughton and Stansted). There are opportunities to shape a role for flexible working arrangements.
The Perinatal Mental Health Service provides maternal mental health and wellbeing support to mothers and their infants across Essex. Pregnancy and the transition to parenthood are recognised as a time when mental health difficulties and relationship stress can occur. Experience of pre-existing trauma as well as trauma during the perinatal period can have a significant impact on the experience of becoming a mother. Psychological interventions which are specific, effective, and valued by women can support them with such difficulties; reducing distress and health care costs, whilst increasing physical and psychological wellbeing.
Perinatal Psychology is a flourishing and exciting field to work in and there will be highly specialised therapeutic trainings and supervision available to the successful candidates, including trauma-focused and parent-infant focused models.
We would welcome candidates with prior perinatal experience but also welcome those who have an interest and are looking to develop their skills in perinatal approaches. There will also be consideration given to less experienced psychologists looking to develop the requisite skills and experience of an 8a banding through a preceptorship program.
There will significant opportunities to develop your supervision, teaching and consultation skills and to further develop the psychology service to meet the needs of mothers and their infants. Staff wellbeing is also highly valued and we are looking for candidates with experience of wellbeing initiatives to support the PMHS staff as they manage highly challenging caseloads with complex risk and safeguarding issues.
You will be expected to contribute to the development of Perinatal Psychology both within the trust and externally through attendance at CPD and network events. Participation in research and audit will be encouraged. You will be encouraged to develop a specialist clinical interest and continued professional development is strongly supported.
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
Season Ticket Loans
NHS discounts for staff
Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

• This role will provide highly specialist assessment and intervention to mothers and their infants
• The role with the Perinatal Mental Health Service (PMHS) will be to provide evidence based perinatally informed psychological therapies to mothers through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period up to the infant age of 2 years.
• The role also requires the delivery of supervision and consultation to the PMHS as well as supporting the ongoing service development of both perinatal psychology and the perinatal service.
• There will be an expectation for the postholder to lead on pathway and interface development with local stakeholders and partner agencies.
• The postholder will provide clinical leadership and support to the PMHS and support the development of junior psychologists and non psychology staff. There is also an expectation to support the PMHS with staff wellbeing initiatives through the use of reflective groups and teaching and upskilling of work stress resilience approaches.

• This role will provide highly specialist assessment and intervention to mothers and their infants
• The role with the Perinatal Mental Health Service (PMHS) will be to provide evidence based perinatally informed psychological therapies to mothers through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period up to the infant age of 2 years.
• The role also requires the delivery of supervision and consultation to the PMHS as well as supporting the ongoing service development of both perinatal psychology and the perinatal service.
• There will be an expectation for the postholder to lead on pathway and interface development with local stakeholders and partner agencies.
• The postholder will provide clinical leadership and support to the PMHS and support the development of junior psychologists and non psychology staff. There is also an expectation to support the PMHS with staff wellbeing initiatives through the use of reflective groups and teaching and upskilling of work stress resilience approaches