Clinical Psychologist - Child & Adolescent

Would you like to play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people through the provision of evidence-based psychological therapies? We would like to invite applications from enthusiastic Clinical Psychologists who are keen to work with children and young people who require significant support to maximise their mental health outcomes. This work is challenging but rewarding and the successful applicant would be supported by an experienced, knowledgeable and supportive team.

We welcome applications from soon to be or newly qualified Clinical Psychologists.

The department is welcoming and inclusive, with friendly and approachable staff working in all major specialties. The department currently has a complement of around 100 staff including psychologists, CAAPs, psychological therapists, trainee clinical psychologists and assistant psychologists.

• The provision of psychological work into Child and Adolescent Psychological Services including multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working to improve outcomes for this population
• Assessing and formulating children and young people’s needs and delivering responsive, psychological interventions at individual and systemic levels
• Supervising psychological therapy and non-psychology staff
• Planning, facilitating and evaluating service and policy developments within the service
• Providing training, consultation, supervision and group work with multiagency partners as required

Dumfries and Galloway is a beautiful area offering spectacular countryside and outdoors activities across a large geographical area. Dumfries is linked by rail to Glasgow (2 hours) and via Lockerbie to Edinburgh (1 hour) and Glasgow (1 hour), is 40 minutes drive from Carlisle and 1.5hr drive from Glasgow. There are a number of staff who commute and we support hybrid working arrangements and car shares where possible.

Flexible working arrangements will be considered.

Dr Mary Smeddle, Head of Child and Adolescent Psychological Services
Department of Psychological Services and Research, Mountainhall Treatment Centre, Bankend Road Dumfries DG1 4AP

Telephone

If you require a work visa, please check to see if you and the vacancy you are applying for are eligible by visiting the Home Office website.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

Public protection practice encompasses the recognition and management of risk in order to prevent or reduce harm to children, (including unborn babies), young people and adults. All public protection legislation, and NHS Dumfries and Galloway (NHSDG) policies and guidance are founded on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights, and the principles of these Conventions underpin all NHSDG core business.

Some of our posts may require you to undergo a criminal records check. Changes as of the 1 April 2025 to the Protection Of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme membership now see more roles requiring PVG that may not have needed this check in the past. If you are successful in this role you will be notified which level of check is required by the recruitment team.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway has a legal obligation to ensure that it does not employ any worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK. This permission is without exception granted by the UK Border Agency. We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category.

Vacancies requiring professional registration require full United Kingdom registration with the appropriate council (eg NMC, HCPC, GMC, GDC etc). NHS Dumfries & Galloway are unable to support OSCE Training for international nurses for vacancies.

As from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full‑time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part‑time hours will be reduced pro‑rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.