Clinical Psychologist

Adult Autism Assessment Team

Job summary

We are seeking a qualified clinical psychologist with strong interpersonal skills to join our small and friendly complex adult ASD assessment team based in Kings Hill, Kent. The ASD assessment team has been in operation since June 2020 and is commissioned by Kent Community Health Foundation Trust (KCHFT). The ASD team currently comprises two clinical psychologists, one forensic psychologist, and one assistant psychologist, with ongoing recruitment to expand the team. This post is offered part-time (between 15 and 22.5 hours per week) with a combination of face-to-face, flexible working and working from home available. For those seeking full-time hours, there is also an opportunity for a split post across the ASD Assessment Team and the SSC Kent and Medway Complex Autism Service (KAMCAS). As an independent mental health provider, working closely with the NHS, this role offers an excellent opportunity to develop experience of working within an alternative service provision. 

We are looking for candidates with transferable skills and experience and you do not need to be an expert in ASD to apply. The supportive nature of the team and the variety of clients we see means that there are opportunities to develop both your knowledge of ASD and of co-occurring difficulties. Applications from current third year clinical psychology trainees with an interest in/experience of working with autistic adults are welcomed. There will be an opportunity to progress to 8a once you have demonstrated that you meet the competencies over an 18-24 month period.

About us

Sinclair Strong Consultants Limited is a well-regarded independent Psychology-led service. In addition to ASD, we work across adult mental health, personal injury sectors, and within community and secure services for people with autism and intellectual disability.   

We offer a salary in line with Agenda for Change and an annual leave entitlement commensurate with the NHS. We are passionate about supporting professional development both in house and regular attendance at external courses.  

Job description

Provide a high-quality assessment service to adults presenting with complex co-occurring difficulties (i.e. mental health, personality disorder, neurodevelopmental difficulties etc) as part of the wider Neurodevelopmental pathway commissioned by Kent Community Health Foundation Trust.

Provide clinical leadership, co-ordination, and supervision for junior staff, under the general direction and supervision of the Lead Principal Psychologist.

Carry a specialist caseload of clients and provide advice to them, family members/carers post-diagnosis.

Take an active role in contributing to service development projects and research to contribute to the body of knowledge about how to effectively support autistic adults.

Person specification

Experience:

Essential:

• An interest in working with people with autism and/or ADHD  
• Transferable skills in engaging with adults gained via experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a wide range of care settings, such as outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings.
• Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision

Desirable

• Experience gained during supervised training of working with autism and/or ADHD.
• Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision

Other

Essential

• Broad knowledge and familiarity of autism and ADHD
• Ability to work independently and use initiative within a small service
• Ability to work as a member of a clinical team.
• Ability to formulate taking account of a client’s personal history, presentation, current diagnoses etc.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified/or soon to be qualified clinical psychologist (DClinPsy or equivalent), eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society.
• Registration with HPC

Desirable

• Some further training in autism and/or ADHD
• Some further training in at least one psychological therapy

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.

UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see:

NHS Careers website (opens in a new window)

Employer details

Employer name: Sinclair-Strong Consultants Limited

Employer address: Building 80, Churchill Square, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling ME19 4YU