Job summary

This post is for an 8b SLaM AVATAR therapy Training Lead for a new Wellcome funded study, AVATAR-RWE (Real World Evidence).The successful candidate will work as part of an NHS implementation study of AVATAR therapy, a blended digital intervention for distressing voices in psychosis. Having tested efficacy in rigorous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and with replication emerging from independent research groups, our focus is on national and international implementation of AVATAR therapy. In March 2024 AVATAR therapy received a NICE-Early Value Assessment recommendation for deployment in the NHS for the purpose of real-world evidence generation.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities:

The post holder will:

Lead on training and supervision of therapists in SLaM.

Supervise the Assistant Psychologist, to support data collection to a high standard, in line with study protocols.

Oversee reporting and transfer of research data to project leads, in line with research governance approvals.

Support the optimisation of AVATAR therapy software and training resources

Support the KCL-based Researchers in development of study materials.

The post holder may be asked to contribute to training and supervision beyond SLaM (i.e. other trusts/ clinical settings) to support the wider roll-out of AVATAR therapy

The post holder will support Dr Tom Ward and Dr Clem Edwards in the delivery of these aims. The job purpose will focus on leadership in the training and supervision of AVATAR therapy delivered within SLaM alongside the real-world data collection.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

About us

About South London and Maudsley:

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.

SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services. Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.

Details

Date posted

13 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£75,328 to £86,114 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS (Inner)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

30 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-CLI-8313291

Job locations

PICuP (Psychological Interventions Clinic for outpatients with Psychosis)/ Psychology (KCL)

Henry Wellcome Building, PO77 IOPPN, De crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AF

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

This post is for an 8b SLaM AVATAR therapy Training Lead for a new Wellcome funded study, AVATAR-RWE (Real World Evidence). The successful candidate will work as part of an NHS implementation study of AVATAR therapy, a blended digital intervention for distressing voices in psychosis. Please see attached Job description for further information

Job description Job responsibilities This post is for an 8b SLaM AVATAR therapy Training Lead for a new Wellcome funded study, AVATAR-RWE (Real World Evidence). The successful candidate will work as part of an NHS implementation study of AVATAR therapy, a blended digital intervention for distressing voices in psychosis. Please see attached Job description for further information

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oDoctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, or equivalent, and HCPC registered. (A)

Desirable

• oPost-qualification Postgraduate Diploma in CBT for psychosis/Severe Mental Illness (SMI) or equivalent specialist experience. (A)

Experience

Essential

• Post qualification experience of working in adult mental health services with people with psychosis.

Desirable

• Training, supervision, or delivery of digitally supported therapies for severe mental health problems.
• Training and experience in AVATAR therapy delivery and supervision

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge, experience and interest in AVATAR or relevant relational therapies for psychosis (A/I)
• Knowledge and skills in CBT for psychosis. (A/I)
• Knowledge and skills in supervision and training of other mental health professionals. (A/I)

Desirable

• Knowledge and skills in digitally supported therapies for severe mental health problems. (A/I)
• Training and supervision of psychological practitioners to deliver psychological interventions for psychosis (A/I)

Person Specification Qualifications Essential oDoctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, or equivalent, and HCPC registered. (A) Desirable oPost-qualification Postgraduate Diploma in CBT for psychosis/Severe Mental Illness (SMI) or equivalent specialist experience. (A) Experience Essential Post qualification experience of working in adult mental health services with people with psychosis. Desirable Training, supervision, or delivery of digitally supported therapies for severe mental health problems. Training and experience in AVATAR therapy delivery and supervision Knowledge Essential Knowledge, experience and interest in AVATAR or relevant relational therapies for psychosis (A/I) Knowledge and skills in CBT for psychosis. (A/I) Knowledge and skills in supervision and training of other mental health professionals. (A/I) Desirable Knowledge and skills in digitally supported therapies for severe mental health problems. (A/I) Training and supervision of psychological practitioners to deliver psychological interventions for psychosis (A/I)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

PICuP (Psychological Interventions Clinic for outpatients with Psychosis)/ Psychology (KCL)

Henry Wellcome Building, PO77 IOPPN, De crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

PICuP (Psychological Interventions Clinic for outpatients with Psychosis)/ Psychology (KCL)

Henry Wellcome Building, PO77 IOPPN, De crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)