Clinical Psychologist Child Health

Job description

Job summary

We are looking to recruit two full time and permanent Band 8a Clinical Psychologists to our Paediatric Psychology service in Hywel Dda University Health Board. The successful applicants will be responsible for the provision of Psychology across Paediatrics with the aim of supporting the Paediatricians with a psychological perspective. This is a health board wide post and the base is negotiable with a requirement to work in agreed geographical areas across the Health Board footprint which may vary depending on demand, with a requirement to work flexibly to cover each other's absence.

Applications requesting part time hours will be considered.

The posts are advertised as Band 8a, however, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competencies for the band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for up to 2 years.

We have strong links with the South Wales Clinical Psychology training course to support the provision of placements.

The area is a beautiful place to live, especially for those who enjoy outdoor activities.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicants will work with a variety of presentations including, behaviour, complex needs, ADHD, diabetes and other physical health conditions. A significant proportion of the work will be using a consultation approach for clinicians within Paediatrics with some limited time for assessment and intervention to manage demand. We have paved the way having strong links with the Single Point of Contact in CAMHS to help respond and signpost referrals. We also plan to identify need and set up group provisions, with a plan to work alongside provision in CAMHS to ensure a joined up approach.

The professional leadership for these posts will sit with the Psychology Lead for CAMHS and the Psychology Lead for Paediatrics with long term arrangements reached when understood. This provides the opportunity to establish strong relationships with psychologists working across CAMHS and to be part of the wider Psychology Department (which also includes Psychology in the Neurodevelopmental Team, EIP and the Perinatal MH Service). Supervision of others will be integral to the role with there being an Assistant Psychologist in Paediatrics and a Palliative Care team, amongst others, requiring supervision.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job description

Job responsibilities

The posts are advertised as Band 8a, however, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competencies for the Band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for up to 2 years whereby 70% of the top of Band 8a will be payable during the first year and 75% will be payable during the second year.

Following successful completion of the agreed personalised Individual Learning Plan for the role, the post holder will then be paid at Band 8a (minimum point on the scale).

This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.

As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.

Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 07/09/2026

Job description
Job responsibilities

The posts are advertised as Band 8a, however, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competencies for the Band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for up to 2 years whereby 70% of the top of Band 8a will be payable during the first year and 75% will be payable during the second year.

Following successful completion of the agreed personalised Individual Learning Plan for the role, the post holder will then be paid at Band 8a (minimum point on the scale).

This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.

As part of the Annex 21 process, there is no financial penalty to those who apply for this role where the percentage will cause a reduction in pay, subsequently a local protection would be put in place until the pay has caught up.

Failure to achieve the competencies in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 07/09/2026

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Doctoral level training (or equivalent prior to 1996) in clinical or counselling psychology including psychopathology, 2 or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology accredited by the BPS
• Knowledge of psychometrics, appropriate administration and limitations
• Post Practitioner Psychologist Qualification in at least one area relevant to the post

Desirable

• Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
• Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification additional specialist training in working clinically with children and young people
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment in specific difficult to treat groups or complex presentations (e.g. challenging behaviour, working with physical health presentations, learning disability, neurodivergence).
• Knowledge or training in providing indirect ways of working (e.g. providing consultation, systemic training, functional analysis of behaviour)
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to client group

Experience

Essential

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings.
• Post practitioner psychologist experience of specialist psychological assessment incorporating psychometrics and cognitive assessment
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course, presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity.
• Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification experience of working with children and young people or challenging behaviour or physical health conditions/illnesses.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a Child Health setting and/or experience of working with other agencies.
• Experience of teaching training or supervision
• Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts

Other

Essential

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
• Flexible approach to needs of the service including working evenings and weekends.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Doctoral level training (or equivalent prior to 1996) in clinical or counselling psychology including psychopathology, 2 or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology accredited by the BPS
• Knowledge of psychometrics, appropriate administration and limitations
• Post Practitioner Psychologist Qualification in at least one area relevant to the post

Desirable

• Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
• Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification additional specialist training in working clinically with children and young people
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment in specific difficult to treat groups or complex presentations (e.g. challenging behaviour, working with physical health presentations, learning disability, neurodivergence).
• Knowledge or training in providing indirect ways of working (e.g. providing consultation, systemic training, functional analysis of behaviour)
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to client group

Experience

Essential

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings.
• Post practitioner psychologist experience of specialist psychological assessment incorporating psychometrics and cognitive assessment
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course, presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity.
• Post Practitioner Psychologist qualification experience of working with children and young people or challenging behaviour or physical health conditions/illnesses.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a Child Health setting and/or experience of working with other agencies.
• Experience of teaching training or supervision
• Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts

Other

Essential

• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
• Flexible approach to needs of the service including working evenings and weekends.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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 .

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. .
UK Registration

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

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 .

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. .
UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address

To be determined at interview

To be determined at interview

SA31 2AF

United Kingdom

Employer's website