*Must hold experience working in children's residential settings/working with complex young people in complex settings*
About Meadows Care:
Meadows Care is a specialist therapeutic children's residential care provider dedicated to transforming the lives of children and young people who have experienced significant trauma, adversity and disrupted relationships. We believe that healing happens through relationships, and our homes are built on the principles of safety, belonging, compassion and high aspiration. Our therapeutic model is fully integrated into everyday residential care, ensuring that every interaction provides an opportunity to support recovery, resilience and growth. Through close collaboration between residential staff, therapists, education and the wider professional network, we create nurturing environments where children can develop secure relationships, build emotional resilience and achieve positive long-term outcomes. We are committed to continually developing innovative, evidence-informed services that place children at the centre of everything we do.
JOB PURPOSE
This preceptorship role is designed to support a newly qualified or early-career psychologist in the systematic provision of high-quality, psychology-led therapeutic services. The role includes psychological consultation, training, and therapeutic input working into children’s residential homes. Over time, the psychologist will develop the necessary competencies to work more autonomously, take on leadership responsibilities, and embed trauma-informed models.
Initially, the role will focus on developing skills in psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention, alongside close supervision and guidance from senior colleagues. As the psychologist progresses, there will be opportunities to take on a greater leadership role in service development, training delivery, and supervision of others.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical Work:
1. Conduct psychological assessments, formulation, and intervention for children and young people under supervision, with increasing autonomy over time.
2. Assist in cognitive assessments (e.g., WISC-V) and formulation of therapeutic recommendations.
3. Work within multidisciplinary teams to embed trauma-informed models across services.
4. Manage a caseload of direct and indirect therapeutic work, with structured guidance at Band 7 and growing independence at 8a.
Consultation and Training:
5. Provide psychological consultation, reflective practice, and training to staff teams in residential care, education, and local authority settings.
6. Develop skills in delivering training on trauma-informed practice, with increasing leadership in this area over time.
7. Participate in multi-agency meetings, providing psychological insights to inform care planning.
Service Development and Leadership (Progressing to 8a):
8. Engage in service evaluation, audit, and quality improvement initiatives.
9. Contribute to service development projects, initially through collaboration and later through leadership.
10. Support the development of psychology services, offering ideas and innovations for new models of care.
Supervision and Professional Development:
11. Receive regular clinical supervision from an experienced psychologist, with a focus on professional growth and competency development.
12. Engage in CPD activities to enhance clinical skills and prepare for transition to Band 8a.
13. As competency develops, provide structured supervision to assistant psychologists or therapy support staff.
Governance and Compliance:
14. Adhere to professional and ethical standards (HCPC/BPS) and uphold safeguarding responsibilities.
15. Develop awareness of relevant legislation, including Ofsted regulations and Quality Standards for Children’s Homes.
16. Understand the nuances of working within the independent sector and its operational challenges.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Criteria:
HCPC registration (or immediate eligibility for registration).
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent qualification).
Experience working with children and young people with complex needs (e.g., CLA, CAMHS, YOT).
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience delivering training or consultation to staff teams.
- Familiarity with structured preceptorship models or frameworks for professional development.
- Previous exposure to service evaluation, outcome measures, or audit processes.
- Experience in providing direct or indirect therapeutic interventions in complex settings.
PROGRESSION FRAMEWORK
This role is structured to support a clear transition from Band 7 to Band 8a. The preceptorship will be tailored to individual learning needs, with defined competencies assessed at regular intervals. Key development areas include:
- Increasing independence in assessment and formulation
- Developing confidence in consultation and training delivery
- Taking on leadership in service development and evaluation
- Supervision of junior colleagues and assistant psychologists
Upon demonstrating competency in these areas, the psychologist will transition to a permanent Band 8a role within Meadows Care.
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities in line with the needs of therapy services. This job description may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect service development and individual progression within the preceptorship framework.
Please contact Justine [email protected] for more information
Pay: From £50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
