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Clinical/Counselling Psychologist Band 8a or 7/8a (dev.role)

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford, GU2 7LX £51,657 – £67,020 a year Permanent Posted 27 August 2026 Apply by 10 September 2026

Home Office register entry: Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leatherhead

Visa sponsorship

This role is listed by an employer that holds a live Home Office sponsor licence on the Skilled Worker route.

Closest occupation match: SOC 2225, Clinical psychologists. Pay for this occupation is set by national pay scales (NHS bands), so no single Home Office going rate applies.

This occupation falls under the Health and Care Worker route. Public reference figures for that route: the general salary minimum is £25,000 a year, and salaries set by national pay scales (NHS bands) at or above the relevant band rate typically meet the occupation's requirement. Individual eligibility depends on personal circumstances. These figures are public reference information, not advice or a verdict on this job.

Role description

Job summary

Are you passionate about mental health and being part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference to peoples' lives?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Practitioner Psychologist to work in our Adult Acute Mental Health Inpatient Wards in Guildford. The postholder will provide Psychological assessment, treatment, and be a valued member of the MDTs within the acute wards and a PICU.

The post is suitable for candidates seeking either a Band 8a role, or a Band 7 to Band 8a Development post, including those who are currently completing the final year of their doctorate. Please see attached Job Profiles for further details.

Our acute inpatient mental health wards are dedicated to the support of people of working age in mental health crisis. The post offers a diverse range of experience working with people with acute and complex mental health difficulties and the postholder will provide assessment and treatment of complex cases, and consultation and support to MDT colleagues. This includes structured assessments, individual therapy, groups, team formulation, indirect interventions, supervision, mentoring, and teaching and training.

You will join a friendly and supportive acute therapies team, as well as group of Psychologists in the locality. The trust has an enviable care pathways system which values Psychology. There are opportunities to train in DBT, CBT for psychosis, family interventions, CBT for personality disorders and structured clinical management.

Main duties of the job

Variety:You will have the chance to work with a wide range of complex presentations including affective disorders, psychosis, and personality, and using a variety of methods and approaches. With assessments, individual therapies, group therapies, family interventions, MDT working, complex case meetings, indirect interventions using a Positive Behaviour Support framework, and supervision all part of the role, it's safe to say that no two days will feel the same! Many of our Psychologists in acute services find that the switching really helps to stay energised.

Fast-paced:You will get to be reflexive; formulating problems, identifying with teams when attempted solutions create a new or different problem, and supporting teams to remove barriers to discharge and supporting people to have an independent and personally meaningful life outside of hospital. Expect your day to fly by!

Autonomy: Acute Inpatient Psychologists can very much personalise and tailor the role of Psychology for the wards they are working on.

Leadership: You will be able to develop the role of Psychology and influence the direction of the wider team in an environment designed for recovery and safety. Psychology's expertise are really valued for differential formulations, reducing restrictive practices, and delivering trauma-informed and Psychologically-informed care. You will also work with external agencies and community teams to enable the best steps forward for people's recovery journeys.

About us

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.

We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received and that interviews will be required to take place face-to-face at Farnham Road Hospital.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Date posted

27 August 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£51,657 to £67,020 a year Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

325-8212149-HOSP

Job locations

Farnham Road Hospital

Farnham Road

Guildford

GU2 7LX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a full breakdown of the Job Role and Responsibilities please find the Job Profile attached to this job listing.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology qualification or equivalent (including pending 2026 qualification).
HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist or current trainee with eligibility in 2026

Desirable

Completion of an appropriate clinical supervision course to enable supervision of trainees (or completion within 12 months of commencement in post)

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with people from across the life span with a range of mental health issues and cognitive profiles.
Experience across a range of psychological models including systemic, behavioural and individual therapeutic
Candidates should demonstrate experience of working with the relevant care group.

Desirable

Experience of supervising assistant and trainee clinical psychologists (Band 8a)
Demonstrable post registration/clinical experience and competency relevant to this care group (Band 8a)
Experience of contributing to clinical practice/service development/project work (Band 8a)
Demonstrable interest/skill in a relevant specialist area (Band 8a)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.