We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Practitioner Psychologist to join the Lambeth Community Drug and Alcohol Service (LCDAS), a multidisciplinary service providing specialist support to adults experiencing substance use difficulties and co-occurring mental health needs. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering and developing psychologically informed addiction services within a highly regarded NHS and third-sector partnership.
The post holder will provide highly specialist psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for individuals with complex substance use and mental health presentations. They will contribute to service development, clinical leadership, research, supervision and training, helping to ensure that psychological thinking is embedded throughout the service. The successful candidate will work autonomously within professional guidelines while receiving support and supervision from the Consultant Psychologist.
This post is offered on a fixed-term basis (up to one year) to provide maternity leave cover in another service and presents an excellent opportunity for an experienced practitioner to develop their specialist expertise in addictions and co-occurring mental health difficulties within a well-established multidisciplinary team.
The successful candidate will deliver highly specialist psychological assessments and evidence-based interventions for adults with substance use problems and co-occurring mental health difficulties. They will act as a lead practitioner for complex cases, contributing to care planning, risk assessment and multidisciplinary decision-making.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing specialist psychological assessment, formulation and treatment.
Offering consultation and psychological advice to multidisciplinary colleagues.
Leading and contributing to service development initiatives, including group programmes and psychological treatment pathways.
Supervising assistant psychologists, trainee psychologists and other staff as appropriate.
Delivering training and reflective practice sessions to multidisciplinary teams.
Supporting service evaluation, audit and research activity.
Promoting psychologically informed and culturally competent approaches to care across the service.
Maintaining high standards of clinical record keeping and governance.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is one of the largest and most respected mental health trusts in the UK, providing specialist mental health and addiction services to a diverse population across South London and beyond. The Trust has an international reputation for excellence in clinical care, innovation, research and education.
LCDAS is a partnership service led by SLaM that provides comprehensive community-based treatment for people experiencing drug and alcohol problems. The service works closely with primary care, mental health services, social care and the voluntary sector to provide integrated, recovery-focused support.
As part of SLaM, you will benefit from access to excellent professional development opportunities, strong clinical supervision structures and close links with King's College London and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. You will join a motivated and supportive team committed to improving outcomes for service users and reducing health inequalities within local communities.
The post holder will provide highly specialist psychological services within LCDAS, including assessment, formulation, intervention, consultation and risk management for adults with complex substance use and mental health presentations.
They will contribute to the development and delivery of psychologically informed services by supporting colleagues, promoting evidence-based practice and helping to shape treatment pathways. The role includes responsibility for supervising assistant and trainee psychologists, contributing to staff development, and supporting multidisciplinary team functioning.
The successful candidate will play an active role in service evaluation, quality improvement, audit and research, helping to ensure that clinical practice reflects current evidence and professional standards. They will also contribute to training programmes across the service and support the development of psychological skills within the wider workforce.
The post holder will work autonomously within HCPC, BPS and Trust guidelines, maintaining high standards of clinical governance, record keeping and professional practice. They will contribute to promoting accessible, inclusive and culturally responsive services that meet the needs of the diverse communities served by the London Borough of Lambeth.
