Visa Note
While this position offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates, applicants must verify their specific visa eligibility requirements directly with the employer. The certificate of sponsorship is subject to UK Visas and Immigration requirements, and applicants should confirm their eligibility before applying.
Job Overview
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Band 8b Principal Practitioner Psychologist position at Reaside Clinic in Rubery, Birmingham. This is a permanent, part-time role with a salary of £64,455 to £74,896 per annum (pro rata). The employer is offering a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates, making this an excellent opportunity for qualified psychologists looking to relocate to the UK.
About Reaside Clinic
Reaside Clinic is a 92-bedded medium secure inpatient service providing specialized care for adult males experiencing severe mental health problems, many of whom have a history of violence or risk behaviors. The clinic is located within Birmingham Great Park in Birmingham, offering a specialized environment for complex psychological treatment and rehabilitation. As part of the Secure Care and Offender Health Services (SCOH), Reaside Clinic represents a vital component of the mental health infrastructure in the West Midlands region.
About Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
The Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) is one of the largest mental health trusts in the UK, employing approximately 4000 clinical and support staff who provide care to around 70,000 people each year. The trust offers a comprehensive range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialized services nationally. With an international reputation for research and innovation, BSMHFT provides medical, nursing, and psychology training programs, creating an environment that supports both professional development and cutting-edge practice.
Key Responsibilities
The Principal Practitioner Psychologist will play a crucial role in the multi-disciplinary clinical team at Reaside Clinic, ensuring that psychological treatment is formulation-driven and aligned with Divisional and Trust objectives. You will deliver specialized clinical interventions and provide expert psychological perspectives on service user recovery. A significant aspect of this role involves contributing to the delivery of the Divisional Psychological Therapies strategy, working with stakeholders to develop and implement responsive approaches to the challenges of forensic mental health services.
Professional Development Opportunities
This role encompasses opportunities for research, service development, training, and evaluation. There is an expectation of line management and supervisory responsibilities, making it an ideal position for those seeking career advancement. The service is committed to supporting your professional growth, with resources allocated for continuing professional development and excellent multi-model supervision structures to help you find and develop your ‘shiny thing’ – your unique area of expertise and contribution.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential qualifications include satisfactory completion of a British Psychological Society accredited Doctoral Level postgraduate professional training course in clinical psychology (the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent for those trained prior to 1996). The training must encompass models of psychopathology, psychometric and neuropsychological assessment, two or more distinct psychological therapies, and lifespan developmental psychology. Candidates must also hold the Graduate Basis for Registration, either through an accredited honours degree in psychology or through the Society’s Qualifying examination or Conversion Course.
Essential Experience
Candidates must have assessed experience working as a registered practitioner psychologist for a minimum of 4 years post qualification, with at least 2 years at the Senior (highly specialist) level. You should have experience of highly specialist psychological assessment and treatment across various care settings, including primary and secondary care, inpatient/residential, outpatient, and community team settings. Experience working with diverse client groups across the lifespan and presenting problems of varying complexity is essential, along with relevant post-qualification experience and formal training in supervision.
Specialist Experience
While secure experience is preferred, the trust values diverse professional backgrounds and encourages applications from candidates with breadth of experience to bring new thinking to their evolving service culture. Experience in applying clinical forensic psychology in different cultural contexts is desirable, as is experience working with ‘difficult to treat’ or ‘hard to reach’ groups. Additional desirable experience includes safeguarding and risk management across multiple agencies with appropriate escalation of concerns.
Skills and Attributes
Essential skills include the ability to provide consultation and advice from a psychological perspective to members of other professional groups and highly developed skills in formulating complex problems and implementing specialist psychological therapies. You should be a team player with demonstrated ability to work toward team and organizational objectives. The capacity for tolerating frustration, change, and high levels of demand while working effectively under pressure is essential. Additionally, you must be able to accept and use supervision appropriately and effectively, with awareness of clinical governance mechanisms.
Benefits and Opportunities
Working in the NHS offers numerous benefits, including competitive salaries, generous pension schemes, extensive training opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. The Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment where staff can thrive professionally and personally. As an international employee, you’ll have access to comprehensive orientation and induction programs to help you settle into both your role and life in the UK.
About Birmingham
Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city and a vibrant, multicultural metropolis with a rich history and diverse communities. The city offers excellent transport links, affordable living compared to London, and a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. Birmingham is home to world-class universities, healthcare facilities, research institutions, and a thriving arts scene. For international residents, the city provides a welcoming environment with numerous multicultural communities, international schools, and support services to help newcomers settle in.
Visa Information and Sponsorship Details
The employer is offering a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates wishing to work in the UK. Applications from job seekers requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. From April 6, 2017, skilled worker applicants must present criminal record certificates from each country they have resided in 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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration, with further information available on the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and submit your application through the online portal. Applications from international candidates should include evidence of their qualifications, registration, and work experience. When applying, ensure you clearly indicate your need for sponsorship if applicable. Before submitting your application, we recommend checking your eligibility for a Skilled Worker visa through the UK Visas and Immigration website. For questions about the application process or role requirements, please contact Victoria Wilkes, Consultant Forensic Psychologist, at [email protected] or 01213013111.
Application Checklist for International Candidates
• Verify your eligibility for UK professional registration with the British Psychological Society
• Prepare evidence of your qualifications and work experience
• Obtain criminal record certificates from all countries where you’ve lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years
• Ensure your application clearly states your need for sponsorship
• Prepare a comprehensive CV and personal statement addressing the person specification
• Contact Victoria Wilkes with any questions about the role or application process
Supporting Documents
For detailed information about the main responsibilities and person specification, please refer to the attached documents:
• 436-7495520-JD.pdf (Job Description, 280 KB)
• 436-7495520-PS.pdf (Person Specification, 137 KB)
Additionally, you may view a video insight into our services and people at: https://vimeo.com/benthompsonfilms/psychologyrecruitment?share=copy
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact:
Victoria Wilkes (Consultant Forensic Psychologist)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01213013111
Equal Opportunities
The Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. Our diverse workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve, and we value the unique perspectives and experiences that international candidates bring to our organization.
Closing Date
The closing date for applications is 11 December 2025. Early application is encouraged as applications will be reviewed as they are received. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview, and successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
Next Steps
If you are an innovative, resilient, and creative psychologist ready for the next stage of your career, and you can compassionately challenge systems while maintaining integrity and connecting with others, we encourage you to apply. This role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals with complex mental health needs while advancing your career in one of the UK’s leading mental health trusts. Join our team where your warm welcome is waiting, and you can make a real difference in people’s lives.
