Band 8b Principal Clinical Psychologist – Meriden Family Programme
Band 8b
Main area: Principal Clinical Psychologist, Grade Band 8b. Contract: Permanent. Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Job ref: 436-7802732
Site: Tall Trees, Uffculme Town, Moseley, Birmingham | Salary £64,455 – £74,896 per annum, pro rata | Salary period: Yearly | Closing: 31/03/2026 23:59 | Interview date: 15/04/2026
Please note that this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Psychologist to work in the team on a permanent basis and be involved in developing family work both within the Trust and with the Programme’s external partners, and also to lead on research projects.
The Meriden Family Programme aims to ensure that families of those with mental health problems receive appropriate services. The Programme achieves this by training staff in NHS Trusts and similar organisations which provide mental health services in the skills needed to work with families and to ensure that these are implemented in practice. The Programme works at a local, national and international level to promote family work within organisations through training and consultation.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a highly skilled clinician who has experience in working with families, training and supervising others and supporting and challenging organisations in order to improve the experience of families in contact with mental health services.
The post holder will be expected to lead on research projects related to families in contact with mental health services.
An ability to develop positive working relationships with people from across all areas of mental health care is essential. The post holder will be expected to work closely with service users and their families to enable their voice to be heard within organisations and to enable this to influence practice. Also, the post holder will work closely with clinicians and management of services to evaluate practice in relation to supporting families and develop plans to make this support more effective. The post holder will also take a lead role in researching and evaluating the implementation of family work.
Working for our organisation
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
Person specification
Experience of leading on research projects
- Published articles previously
- Published articles relating to family interventions or carers.
Ability to work independently and in challenging situations
- Examples of challenging situations.
Ability to support others to change their practice
- Examples of management of change in interview
Family interventions
- Experience of delivering family interventions
Our Trust is committed to treating individuals fairly and ensuring they have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential, even if this means doing things differently for different people sometimes. We are working hard to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity within Birmingham and Solihull and that our services meet the needs of all diverse service users and carers.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. As part of the selection process you may be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, however all cases of criminal record history are dealt with on a case by case basis.
Please note, if applicable for your role you will be required to cover the cost of your DBS certificate. This will be deducted from your salary over 3 months. You will also be required to sign up to the DBS Update Service before commencement with the Trust. The Trust will reimburse this. You will be contractually obliged to maintain your subscription.
All successful applicants will be required to complete the Trust’s induction programme. The Fundamental (Statutory and Mandatory) training will be in an e-learning format. You will be required to complete training modules online (approx. 9-14 hours depending on post) by the end of your second week with us.
If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process we may contact you via email to advise you of the interview details. Please ensure you access your email account from which you applied regularly once the position has closed. Our selection process may involve more than one interview or assessment.
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, please ensure that you check if this role meets the eligibility criteria for sponsorship. Non UK /Republic of Ireland candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . The minimum salary threshold for a Health and Social Care is £25,000 and for the Skilled Worker route is £38,700. If the starting salary for this role is below this, we will not be able to provide sponsorship.
Relocation expenses may be reimbursed subject to eligibility. The policy provides for reimbursement up to £8,000.
Please note – if you are applying for a role within Police custody, due to Police Vetting requirements you must have been a UK resident for the last years.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Name Martin Atchison Job title Head, Meriden Family Programme Email address martin.atchison2@nhs.net Telephone number 07985882160 Additional information
Alternative contact – Elizabeth Newton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist (Bipolar Service). elizabeth.newton3@nhs.net
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