Principal Psychologist and Clinical Lead Croydon IST

Job description

Principal Psychologist and Clinical Lead Croydon IST at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.

Salary: £70,396 to £80,837

Job overview

There’s something special about joining a service right at the beginning – you’ll have scope to innovate, influence and shape our newly established Croydon Intensive Support Team (IST).

Our service supports autistic adults and adults with intellectual disabilities who may be experiencing significant distress, behaviours of concern, or an increased risk of hospital admission. In this role, you’ll lead a skilled multidisciplinary team - including an assistant psychologist, behaviour specialist, specialist speech and language therapist, Transforming Care nurse, Autism peer support worker, and an advanced practitioner. Together, you’ll help people stay safe, connected to their communities, and supported in ways that reduce the need for crisis-driven or restrictive interventions. Above all, you’ll ensure that every person receives care that is compassionate, personalised, and shaped by what matters most to them.

We’re looking for someone who cares as much as we do, and we particularly welcome applications from candidates with lived experience. You’ll be a skilled psychologist committed to neurodiversity affirmative practice with expertise in Positive Behaviour Support and systemic approaches, but more than that, you’ll be someone who listens, understands, and takes the time to make people feel heard.

Main duties

Clinical

• Lead the delivery of specialist psychological care that empowers people to overcome challenge.
• Work closely with individuals and their families to co-create care plans that reflect their strengths, preferences, and aspirations.
• Use your expertise in Positive Behaviour Support and systemic practice to develop approaches that reduce risk and enhance quality of life.

Team leadership and collaboration

• Support, guide, and inspire your team, fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to contribute.
• Provide expert clinical supervision and consultation, helping colleagues and local providers build confidence and capability.
• Ensure every person who comes into contact with our service receives compassionate, person-centred care.

Driving innovation

• Evaluate and evolve the service as needs change, ensuring we remain responsive and forward-thinking.
• Use data, feedback, and lived experience to shape how we grow, keeping the voices of the people we support at the heart of every decision.
• Lead projects that strengthen community-based support, enabling more people to thrive closer to home.

Research

• Contribute to research , including collaboration with NHS England on autism prioritisation, as well as the chance to shape crisis‑intervention pathways for two distinct populations.
• Publish research locally, regionally, and strategically, helping to influence practice beyond Croydon.

Working at Croydon Health Services

You’ll be based in our modern offices at Bernard Weatherill House in Croydon, with opportunities to work across community sites throughout the borough. Our service is co-located with adult social care colleagues, and we work closely with the Croydon Mental Health in Learning Disabilities Service — creating strong, integrated partnerships.

From day one, we’ll invest in your development. Whether you want to deepen your existing expertise or explore new areas of interest, we’ll support you to grow. We actively encourage CPD, with funding available for external courses and specialist training that aligns with your goals.

Our approach to one-to-ones focuses on you - your development, goals, and ambitions, not just the tasks at hand. Through hands-on experience, formal training, and even learning from the occasional misstep, you’ll discover your strengths and continue to grow.

We’re committed to helping you develop both personally and professionally, so you can bring your unique perspective and expertise to improve the lives of those we support.

If this sounds like the next step you’ve been waiting for, we’d love to hear from you. 

Staff benefits include:

• 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• NHS pension scheme, with generous employer contributions
• Exclusive discounts across the high street, travel, dining and leisure
• Free or discounted fitness and exercise classes to support your wellbeing

Apply now and help us build something exceptional.

Please note:

To be considered for this role, applicants must hold one of the following qualifications:

• Applied Psychologist: A recognised postgraduate qualification in applied psychology that meets HCPC requirements for registration (e.g. A professional doctorate or equivalent postgraduate training).
• Clinical Psychologist: A Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or an equivalent qualification).

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Croydon

Type of Contract

Part-time jobs

Published at

10-01-2026

Profession type

Health / Medical

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English