Principal Psychologist

We are seeking an experienced and

motivated Practitioner Psychologist to provide clinical leadership and

specialist psychological input within Pinetree Court Hospital, a 29-bed

specialist hospital supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental

health needs and complex presentations. The service delivers assessment,

intensive treatment and active rehabilitation within a safe, therapeutic, and

outcomes-focused environment, with the aim of supporting individuals towards

successful community living.

Main duties of the job

At Pinetree Court Hospital, care

is delivered through psychologically informed pathways that emphasise

person-centred, outcome-focused planning from admission through to discharge.

Our model of care is underpinned by Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), Active

Support, positive risk-taking, safeguarding, robust clinical governance,

community reintegration and the promotion of least restrictive practice.

As Clinical Lead Psychologist,

you will play a key role in leading multidisciplinary assessment, formulation,

intervention and outcome evaluation. You will provide psychological leadership

across the service, supporting the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based

care and treatment pathways tailored to individual needs. You will work closely

with colleagues across psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, speech and

language therapy, psychiatry and other disciplines to ensure integrated and

effective care.

About us

Pinetree Court Hospital provides

several specialist pathways, including rehabilitation, forensic, adapted

DBT-informed and complex autism pathways. The successful applicant will be

confident in working with individuals presenting with learning disabilities,

autism, mental health difficulties, behaviours that challenge, forensic risks

and complex clinical needs.

Details

Date posted

08 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£67,583 to £80,698 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,

Part-time,

Job share,

Flexible working,

Compressed hours,

Annualised hours

Reference number

E0148-26-0026

Job locations

Iris Care Group

Pinetree Court Hospital

Cardiff

Cardiff

CF3 4LL

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

To

provide strategic and clinical leadership to the MDT within Pinetree Hospital

and to ensure appropriate clinical governance of all clinical activities within

the Hospital, as delivered by all professional groups.

To

provide strategic and clinical leadership regarding assessment and treatment

delivery to multi-disciplinary clinicians who deliver psychological

interventions at Pinetree Hospital and if required other ICG Learning

Disability Services

To

develop, implement and evaluate, along with other staff qualified in the

provision of positive behavioural support, a coherent and evidence based

programme for the delivery of such interventions by the MDT.

To

develop robust systems within the organisation to ensure that positive

approaches to challenging behaviour become embedded into the general

functioning and culture of the organisation.

To

ensure that clinical input is integrated with treatment delivery and is

supportive of identified treatment needs for individuals within the

service. To work closely with nursing

staff to achieve this.

To provide practice leadership throughout the Hospital

and be responsive to clinical situations arising on site during working hours

To

ensure, alongside other members of the Senior Leadership Team, that the service

remains compliant with the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act codes of

practice and that there is appropriate identification and triage of capacity

assessments requiring a clinical decision maker.

Job responsibilities

To

provide strategic and clinical leadership to the MDT within Pinetree Hospital

and to ensure appropriate clinical governance of all clinical activities within

the Hospital, as delivered by all professional groups.

To

provide strategic and clinical leadership regarding assessment and treatment

delivery to multi-disciplinary clinicians who deliver psychological

interventions at Pinetree Hospital and if required other ICG Learning

Disability Services

To

develop, implement and evaluate, along with other staff qualified in the

provision of positive behavioural support, a coherent and evidence based

programme for the delivery of such interventions by the MDT.

To

develop robust systems within the organisation to ensure that positive

approaches to challenging behaviour become embedded into the general

functioning and culture of the organisation.

To

ensure that clinical input is integrated with treatment delivery and is

supportive of identified treatment needs for individuals within the

service. To work closely with nursing

staff to achieve this.

To provide practice leadership throughout the Hospital

and be responsive to clinical situations arising on site during working hours

To

ensure, alongside other members of the Senior Leadership Team, that the service

remains compliant with the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act codes of

practice and that there is appropriate identification and triage of capacity

assessments requiring a clinical decision maker.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• We are looking for a skilled clinician with significant post-qualification experience in learning disability and/or autism services. Experience in Positive Behaviour Support, psychological formulation, consultation, supervision and service development is highly desirable. You will be committed to delivering person-centred care, improving quality of life outcomes, and supporting individuals to develop the skills and independence required for successful community living. The role includes providing clinical supervision, consultation, staff training and leadership to multidisciplinary teams. You will contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement and the development of innovative, evidence-based practice across the hospital and wider organisation. The successful candidate will join a supportive network of psychologists and clinicians across Iris Care Group, benefiting from strong peer support, continuing professional development opportunities and involvement in service innovation and outcome-focused practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• We are looking for a skilled clinician with significant post-qualification experience in learning disability and/or autism services. Experience in Positive Behaviour Support, psychological formulation, consultation, supervision and service development is highly desirable. You will be committed to delivering person-centred care, improving quality of life outcomes, and supporting individuals to develop the skills and independence required for successful community living. The role includes providing clinical supervision, consultation, staff training and leadership to multidisciplinary teams. You will contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement and the development of innovative, evidence-based practice across the hospital and wider organisation. The successful candidate will join a supportive network of psychologists and clinicians across Iris Care Group, benefiting from strong peer support, continuing professional development opportunities and involvement in service innovation and outcome-focused practice.

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.

UK Registration

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

NHS Careers website .

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.

UK Registration

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

NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Iris Care Group

Address

Iris Care Group

Pinetree Court Hospital

Cardiff

Cardiff

CF3 4LL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.iriscaregroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Iris Care Group

Address

Iris Care Group

Pinetree Court Hospital

Cardiff

Cardiff

CF3 4LL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.iriscaregroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

To

provide strategic and clinical leadership to the MDT within Pinetree Hospital

and to ensure appropriate clinical governance of all clinical activities within

the Hospital, as delivered by all professional groups.

To

provide strategic and clinical leadership regarding assessment and treatment

delivery to multi-disciplinary clinicians who deliver psychological

interventions at Pinetree Hospital and if required other ICG Learning

Disability Services

To

develop, implement and evaluate, along with other staff qualified in the

provision of positive behavioural support, a coherent and evidence based

programme for the delivery of such interventions by the MDT.

To

develop robust systems within the organisation to ensure that positive

approaches to challenging behaviour become embedded into the general

functioning and culture of the organisation.

To

ensure that clinical input is integrated with treatment delivery and is

supportive of identified treatment needs for individuals within the

service. To work closely with nursing

staff to achieve this.

To provide practice leadership throughout the Hospital

and be responsive to clinical situations arising on site during working hours

To

ensure, alongside other members of the Senior Leadership Team, that the service

remains compliant with the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act codes of

practice and that there is appropriate identification and triage of capacity

assessments requiring a clinical decision maker.

Qualifications

Essential

• We are looking for a skilled clinician with significant post-qualification experience in learning disability and/or autism services. Experience in Positive Behaviour Support, psychological formulation, consultation, supervision and service development is highly desirable. You will be committed to delivering person-centred care, improving quality of life outcomes, and supporting individuals to develop the skills and independence required for successful community living. The role includes providing clinical supervision, consultation, staff training and leadership to multidisciplinary teams. You will contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement and the development of innovative, evidence-based practice across the hospital and wider organisation. The successful candidate will join a supportive network of psychologists and clinicians across Iris Care Group, benefiting from strong peer support, continuing professional development opportunities and involvement in service innovation and outcome-focused practice.