Job summary

The Croydon Personality Disorder Service is looking to recruit a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or Psychologist/Psychotherapist to the post of Specialist Psychotherapist. This is a one year contract providing cover for a member of the team whilst on maternity leave.

We are looking for staff with a commitment to working with people with personality disorders and experience working in therapeutic groups.

You will be trained to facilitate SUN groups, which are open-access crisis and emotional support groups in the community in central Croydon and online. You will offer individual MBT treatment to patients on the MBT treatment programmes, as well as facilitating MBT groups.

The Croydon Personality Disorder Service at the Touchstone Centre provides evidence-based interventions for people suffering difficulties associated with a diagnosis of moderate to severe personality disorder. Interventions offered include Tier 3 day hospital psychotherapy, and outpatient Tier 2 MBT service, and a community based appraisal based coping skills development group.

The team is based at The Touchstone Centre - a psychotherapy day hospital combining good psychiatric management, nursing and physical health care, structured clinical management (SCM) and Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) to people who might otherwise spend long periods of time in crisis and in and out of services.

Main duties of the job

We provide specialist, evidence-based, psychotherapeutic day hospital treatment for working-age people with moderate to severe personality disorders. We also run the SUN project, a coping skills development and crisis support group 3 times a week in central Croydon to people with or without a diagnosis of personality disorders. You will work within our team of psychotherapists, doctors, specialist community psychiatric nurses and Mental Health Wellbeing Practitioners.

About us

Our Trust headquarters is located at Denmark Hill less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2). We also provide services and operate across other locations such as London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; and substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Lambeth, Greenwich and Wandsworth.

Benefits

Some of our benefits are highlighted here:

We offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.

Work life balance. Flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.

Career development. There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes.

Care lease. Our staff benefit from competitive deals to lease cars.

Our staff benefit from keyworker housing which is available on selected sites.

NHS discounts. With discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands through Health Service Discounts website.

Other benefits include:

Counselling services

Wellbeing events

Long service awards

Cycle to work scheme

Season ticket loan

Staff restaurants

Details

Date posted

05 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£55,524 to £62,652 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS (outer) pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

10 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-8000142-C

Job locations

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital

Monks Orchard Road

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

Please refer to the attached document for the detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities of the role.

To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and evidence-based interventions for clients with complex mental health needs.

To deliver culturally appropriate psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions for clients, carers and families where appropriate.

To assess, monitor and manage clinical risk, including safeguarding concerns, self-harm and risks to self or others, developing and reviewing risk management plans as required.

To produce clear, accurate and timely clinical reports, formulations, care plans and professional opinions.

To provide specialist individual and group psychotherapy using a Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) framework, adapting interventions in line with clinical need and treatment outcomes.

To promote psychological understanding and support for carers and families.

To facilitate therapeutic groups, including crisis support groups, and contribute to the delivery of a high-quality psychotherapy service.

To demonstrate the application of MBT principles through clinical practice, case discussions, documentation and reflective practice activities.

To participate in regular clinical reviews involving service users, families, carers and other professionals to ensure treatment plans remain effective and person-centred.

To contribute to maintaining a safe therapeutic environment and support individuals requiring additional or crisis intervention.

To provide specialist advice, consultation and support to colleagues across community, inpatient and partner services.

To act as a positive role model for junior staff, promoting high standards of professional practice and supporting effective team working.

KR 2 Contributing to Team or Service Clinical Functioning

To contribute to the effective functioning of the multidisciplinary team and promote psychologically informed practice across the service.

To work collaboratively with referrers, GPs, carers, partner agencies and other professionals involved in client care.

To support the delivery of accessible, inclusive and culturally competent services for diverse communities.

To challenge discrimination and contribute to the development of equitable and person-centred care pathways.

KR 3 Policy and Service Development

To implement Trust policies, procedures and professional standards within own area of practice.

To identify opportunities for service improvement and contribute to the development of effective clinical pathways.

To support service user engagement and involvement in service planning, evaluation and development.

To participate in service improvement projects and quality initiatives that enhance patient care and outcomes.

KR 4 Care or Management of Resources

To use Trust resources responsibly and ensure the safe use, maintenance and storage of therapy materials and equipment.

To maintain adequate supplies and resources required for clinical practice.

To ensure materials, equipment and therapeutic resources are managed in accordance with health and safety requirements.

To maintain the secure and confidential storage of records, therapeutic materials and client-related information in line with professional and Trust standards.

To contribute to the effective management of resources within agreed budgetary constraints.

KR 5 Management and Supervision

To provide supervision, support and guidance to junior staff, trainees or students as required.

To contribute to staff development and promote a supportive learning environment.

To work under the supervision and guidance of senior colleagues while supporting high standards of clinical practice.

KR 6 Record Keeping and Information Governance

To maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive clinical records in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards.

To ensure all clinical activity, assessments, interventions and outcomes are appropriately documented using electronic patient record systems.

To comply with information governance, confidentiality and data protection requirements.

KR 7 Research and Development

To participate in clinical audit, research, service evaluation and quality improvement activities.

To keep up to date with developments in evidence-based practice, personality disorder treatment and Mentalization Based Treatment.

To contribute to the monitoring of outcomes and use audit findings to support continuous service improvement.

To actively participate in team learning, research discussions and professional meetings.

KR 8 Maintaining Professional Standards and Continuing Professional Development

To receive regular clinical, professional and management supervision in accordance with professional body and Trust requirements.

To maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional registration requirements.

To keep up to date with relevant legislation, guidance, policies and developments in mental health care and psychological therapies.

To practise in accordance with professional codes of conduct, ethical standards and Trust policies.

KR 9 General

To travel across Trust sites and other locations as required by the service.

To work safely and effectively with individuals who may present with complex, challenging or distressing behaviours.

To respond professionally to crisis situations and support colleagues following significant incidents in line with Trust procedures.

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post as reasonably requested by the Clinical and Operational Lead.

Job description Job responsibilities KR 1 Clinical and Client Care Please refer to the attached document for the detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities of the role. To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and evidence-based interventions for clients with complex mental health needs. To deliver culturally appropriate psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions for clients, carers and families where appropriate. To assess, monitor and manage clinical risk, including safeguarding concerns, self-harm and risks to self or others, developing and reviewing risk management plans as required. To produce clear, accurate and timely clinical reports, formulations, care plans and professional opinions. To provide specialist individual and group psychotherapy using a Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) framework, adapting interventions in line with clinical need and treatment outcomes. To promote psychological understanding and support for carers and families. To facilitate therapeutic groups, including crisis support groups, and contribute to the delivery of a high-quality psychotherapy service. To demonstrate the application of MBT principles through clinical practice, case discussions, documentation and reflective practice activities. To participate in regular clinical reviews involving service users, families, carers and other professionals to ensure treatment plans remain effective and person-centred. To contribute to maintaining a safe therapeutic environment and support individuals requiring additional or crisis intervention. To provide specialist advice, consultation and support to colleagues across community, inpatient and partner services. To act as a positive role model for junior staff, promoting high standards of professional practice and supporting effective team working. KR 2 Contributing to Team or Service Clinical Functioning To contribute to the effective functioning of the multidisciplinary team and promote psychologically informed practice across the service. To work collaboratively with referrers, GPs, carers, partner agencies and other professionals involved in client care. To support the delivery of accessible, inclusive and culturally competent services for diverse communities. To challenge discrimination and contribute to the development of equitable and person-centred care pathways. KR 3 Policy and Service Development To implement Trust policies, procedures and professional standards within own area of practice. To identify opportunities for service improvement and contribute to the development of effective clinical pathways. To support service user engagement and involvement in service planning, evaluation and development. To participate in service improvement projects and quality initiatives that enhance patient care and outcomes. KR 4 Care or Management of Resources To use Trust resources responsibly and ensure the safe use, maintenance and storage of therapy materials and equipment. To maintain adequate supplies and resources required for clinical practice. To ensure materials, equipment and therapeutic resources are managed in accordance with health and safety requirements. To maintain the secure and confidential storage of records, therapeutic materials and client-related information in line with professional and Trust standards. To contribute to the effective management of resources within agreed budgetary constraints. KR 5 Management and Supervision To provide supervision, support and guidance to junior staff, trainees or students as required. To contribute to staff development and promote a supportive learning environment. To work under the supervision and guidance of senior colleagues while supporting high standards of clinical practice. KR 6 Record Keeping and Information Governance To maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive clinical records in accordance with Trust policies and professional standards. To ensure all clinical activity, assessments, interventions and outcomes are appropriately documented using electronic patient record systems. To comply with information governance, confidentiality and data protection requirements. KR 7 Research and Development To participate in clinical audit, research, service evaluation and quality improvement activities. To keep up to date with developments in evidence-based practice, personality disorder treatment and Mentalization Based Treatment. To contribute to the monitoring of outcomes and use audit findings to support continuous service improvement. To actively participate in team learning, research discussions and professional meetings. KR 8 Maintaining Professional Standards and Continuing Professional Development To receive regular clinical, professional and management supervision in accordance with professional body and Trust requirements. To maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional registration requirements. To keep up to date with relevant legislation, guidance, policies and developments in mental health care and psychological therapies. To practise in accordance with professional codes of conduct, ethical standards and Trust policies. KR 9 General To travel across Trust sites and other locations as required by the service. To work safely and effectively with individuals who may present with complex, challenging or distressing behaviours. To respond professionally to crisis situations and support colleagues following significant incidents in line with Trust procedures. To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post as reasonably requested by the Clinical and Operational Lead.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oEntry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration.
• oBasic Training in MBT from a trainer accredited by the Anna Freud Centre. Staff without this may be considered for the role if they have other suitable psychotherapeutic training/experience.
• oRegistered with professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/NMC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK.

Desirable

• Qualifications in group therapeutic work.
• Qualifications in clinical supervision
• Training in Knowledge and Understanding Framework (KUF) in working with personality disorder.

Experience

Essential

• oComprehensive knowledge and demonstrable understanding of Mentalization Based Treatment
• oExperience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs.
• oExperience of assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in Personality Disorder.
• oExperience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience.
• oSignificant post-qualification/graduation experience including experience of individual and group therapy with people with complex mental health needs.

Desirable

• oA personal therapy experience of sufficient intensity, depth and duration to be able to work psychotherapeutically with difficult and demanding cases.
• oSignificant experience of supervising the work of practitioners in delivery of therapeutic interventions in a mental health setting treating people with complex needs.
• oComprehensive knowledge of personality disorder and current high quality research in this field.

Knowledge

Essential

• oTheoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment
• oKnowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and it's therapeutic application. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics
• oKnowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities
• oKnowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.
• oTo deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences

Skills

Essential

• oTo communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
• oTo plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers (and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews where appropriate).
• oSkills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups.
• oConsultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups and sensitively managing, a number of people's needs simultaneously within the context of therapeutic work/consultation.
• To select and administer specialist assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources.

Abilities

Essential

• oAbility to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
• oAbility to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate.
• oAbility to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings
• oAbility to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these
• oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential oEntry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration. oBasic Training in MBT from a trainer accredited by the Anna Freud Centre. Staff without this may be considered for the role if they have other suitable psychotherapeutic training/experience. oRegistered with professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/NMC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK. Desirable Qualifications in group therapeutic work. Qualifications in clinical supervision Training in Knowledge and Understanding Framework (KUF) in working with personality disorder. Experience Essential oComprehensive knowledge and demonstrable understanding of Mentalization Based Treatment oExperience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs. oExperience of assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in Personality Disorder. oExperience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. oSignificant post-qualification/graduation experience including experience of individual and group therapy with people with complex mental health needs. Desirable oA personal therapy experience of sufficient intensity, depth and duration to be able to work psychotherapeutically with difficult and demanding cases. oSignificant experience of supervising the work of practitioners in delivery of therapeutic interventions in a mental health setting treating people with complex needs. oComprehensive knowledge of personality disorder and current high quality research in this field. Knowledge Essential oTheoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment oKnowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and it's therapeutic application. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics oKnowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities oKnowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care. oTo deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences Skills Essential oTo communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information. oTo plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers (and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews where appropriate). oSkills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups. oConsultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups and sensitively managing, a number of people's needs simultaneously within the context of therapeutic work/consultation. To select and administer specialist assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources. Abilities Essential oAbility to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. oAbility to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate. oAbility to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings oAbility to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.

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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital

Monks Orchard Road

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital

Monks Orchard Road

Beckenham

BR3 3BX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

Job summary

Touchstone is a multi-award-winning mental health and wellbeing charity operating in communities across Yorkshire. Touchstone understands that we can only deliver excellence to the people we serve if the people we recruit are happy, empowered, supported to reach their potential and trusted to lead.

Join the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) and play a key role in managing and leading a team of mental health practitioners to support effective service delivery of a high-volume clinical service, with elements of matrix-management.

Main duties of the job

You will operationally lead a Hub team within Leeds, ensuring high performance of staff and service delivery and contribute to service improvement. Being involved and leading on projects that enhance service delivery and enable better patient care. Overseeing daily operations, supporting multidisciplinary teams, management of performance and ensuring safe, effective, person-centred care. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, service-improvement expertise and excellent communication skills.

Information Session: Thursday 24th September at 5:30pm (email for TEAMS link to attend [email protected]

Interviews will be held on: Monday 19th October 2026

As an employee of Touchstone, you will benefit from the following:

Working for a diverse and inclusive organisation e.g. 36% *BME staff, 25% *LGBTQ+ staff, 16% *staff with a disability. Staff and peer support networks (*as above and many more)

28 days annual leave (rising to 31 after 2 years) + 8 bank holidays (pro-rata)

Flexible working opportunities

Personal wellbeing budget. Access to counselling and 24/7 confidential staff helpline.

Health and wellbeing activities and fun staff team away days

Inclusive maternity and parental policies and pay

Additional day of leave as a celebration day or health and wellbeing

Learning and personal development opportunities

About us

Touchstone is an equal opportunities organisation, an equal rights employer and applications are welcome from all sections of the community, particularly, BME and LGB and Trans communities and/or people with disabilities who are under-represented within Touchstone. All applicants who disclose a disability and meet the essential criteria will be interviewed. Additional information can be obtained from our equal opportunities policy. Please note that we do not hold a sponsor licence and we do not intend to offer sponsorship for this particular role. You should therefore ensure that you have/will have the right to work in the UK to be able to undertake this role, if appointed, you will be required to provide relevant right to work documents at the point of an offer being made to you. Applications can be obtained by visiting www.touchstonesupport.org.uk or by e-mailing [email protected]. Please note that feedback is not provided to applicants who have not been shortlisted. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Job summary

Touchstone is a multi-award-winning mental health and wellbeing charity operating in communities across Yorkshire. Touchstone understands that we can only deliver excellence to the people we serve if the people we recruit are happy, empowered, supported to reach their potential and trusted to lead.

Join the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) and play a key role in reducing health inequalities and improving accessibility for all.

You will lead equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives across the partnership, support colleagues delivering health equity objectives, analyse and report on workforce and service data, and provide operational leadership.

Acting as deputy to the Head of Health Equity when required, you will help drive meaningful change and ensure equitable opportunities for service users, staff and stakeholders.

Main duties of the job

• To provide leadership and effective management of equality, diversity and inclusion activity enabling improved accessibility and equality of opportunity for all stakeholders across the LMWS service.
• To provide operational support to roles within LMWS that have Healthy Equity as part of their workplans.
• To collect, analyse and report on data in relation to workforce and service delivery.
• To act as a deputy to the Head of Health Equity where appropriate.

Please read the Job Description for a full breakdown of duties.

About us

Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service is a partnership of 11 providers that provides support and psychological therapies for common mental health problems to those aged 17 and over who are registered with a Leeds GP.

The Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) and its partners are committed to ensuring that all service provision is accessible and fairly meets the diverse needs of all people who use the service. All partners in the LMWS recognise the underlying inequalities that exist in the health system and wider society. Addressing health inequalities is a priority for the service and this is directed by a service-wide Health Inequalities Action Plan which is owned by the LMWS Partnership Board.