Senior Practitioner Psychologist


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£57,528 - £64,750
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Waltham Forest, E17 3HP
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	14 Aug 2026
Closing date:	24 Aug 2026

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Summary

Community Psychologist (Clinical / Counselling Psychologist) based in Mental Health and Wellness Team – Band 8a An exciting opportunity has arisen for an innovative psychologist to join our small but expanding group of psychologists working in Mental Health and Wellness Teams (MHWT) across the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The post holder will sit within the MHWTs but focus on outward facing work with communities to develop projects with grassroots organisations using community psychology principles and frameworks. Within MHWT they will be expected to lead on championing psychologically minded work with their MDT colleagues and trauma informed care. The community work focus will be informed by local demographics and is part of the Trusts commitment to address health inequalities experienced by our communities. This is a really exciting and novel post within the NHS so we are inviting a clinician who is very passionate about systems and social activism to apply. The post holder will join a collaborative of Psychological professionals across East London working within a community psychology framework. The purpose of the collaborative is to build connections across east London and provide support to clinicians working in this way in an NHS context. The successful candidate will work closely with secondary psychology colleagues to add to an already passionate and dynamic psychology provision in Waltham Forest. This group of psychologists are forward-thinking and value diversity. We encourage critical thinking and promote difference. The team has a range of specialist interests i.e., members who are BABCP accredited, trained in Open Dialogue, CBTp and FIp trained, and experience in delivering a range of trauma specific therapies i.e., EMDR and NET. We value the importance of richness in delivering secondary care services to effectively meet the needs of the population we serve, therefore integrated working with care coordinators and peer worker colleagues in the Waltham Forest Mental Health and Wellbeing Teams is essential. The main duties will be working closely alongside other community psychologists and the leadership to identify and build relationships with third sector organisations. They will work mainly amplifying the voices of those who are well less served in mainstream, statutory services. They will do this using community engagement models and working alongside grassroot projects. We are keen to move people through services and back into communities and believe these posts to be pivotal in this work. A key part of this role involves applying psychological skills flexibly to engage to engage with local communities, particularly people who may face barriers to accessing mental health services through traditional routes. We therefore encourage applications from candidates who reflect the diverse communities we serve, especically those from Global Majority and other minoritised backgrounds, as well as individuals with strong links and awareness of the local community. Starting with NELFT NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex. Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff). High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London (B&D, Redbridge, Havering and Waltham Forest, CEME) This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a. pro rata for part time). Working for Us Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas. The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT. Our Values 2025 - 2030 Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT. They are: We are kind. We are respectful. We work together with our communities. These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people. Starting with NELFT NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Goodmayes Hospital. High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London (B&D, Redbridge, Havering and Waltham Forest, CEME) This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 p.a. pro rata for part time). For an informal chat or to arrange a visit, please contact: Name: Dr Verity Statham Job title: Psychological Professionals Lead for Waltham Forest Mental Health & Wellness Teams Contact Number: 07809334504 Email: Verity.Statham2@nhs.net

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