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Psychologist - Job Opportunity at Holden Knight Healthcare

Northampton, GB
Part-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 3, 2025
On-site
£60,000 per year (pro-rata)

Benefits

Comprehensive 28-day annual leave package including bank holidays providing above-average time off for work-life balance
NEST pension scheme offering secure retirement planning with employer contributions
Employee referral program incentivizing internal networking and talent acquisition
Sage Employee Benefits platform providing access to discounted services and lifestyle perks
24/7 Employee Assistance Program delivering round-the-clock mental health and counseling support
24/7 OnDemand GP Service providing immediate healthcare access without NHS wait times
Professional development funding for required qualifications supporting career advancement
Key Worker Discount Schemes including Blue Light Card access recognizing healthcare professional status
Performance-based bonus scheme rewarding exceptional contributions
Company events fostering team cohesion and professional networking
Free on-site parking eliminating commuting costs and stress

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive psychological assessments to identify critical emotional and developmental needs, directly impacting treatment outcomes and care planning strategies
Design and deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions including CBT, play therapy, and DDP, establishing treatment protocols that influence organizational care standards
Provide specialized trauma-informed care for vulnerable children dealing with attachment disorders and emotional regulation challenges, contributing to long-term rehabilitation success
Deliver expert consultation and reflective practice sessions to multidisciplinary staff, elevating organizational capacity for trauma-informed care and behavior management
Collaborate strategically with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans that align with regulatory requirements and best practice standards
Drive service development initiatives aligned with Ofsted standards, contributing to organizational compliance and quality improvement measures
Maintain rigorous documentation standards ensuring legal and ethical compliance while supporting evidence-based practice development

Requirements

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology (Clinical, Educational, or Child Psychology preferred)

Experience

1 year (required) with experience working with children and young people in care or residential settings

Required Skills

Strong understanding of safeguarding Trauma-informed care expertise Attachment theory knowledge Excellent interpersonal and communication skills CBT delivery capabilities Play therapy techniques Dyadic Development Psychotherapy (DDP) - desirable Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) knowledge - desirable

Certifications

HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The children's mental health sector is experiencing unprecedented demand following post-pandemic increases in anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges among young people, with NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services reporting 30% increases in referrals since 2020. This has created significant opportunities for private sector psychology roles in residential and care settings. Ofsted-regulated environments are increasingly prioritizing trauma-informed care approaches, driving demand for psychologists with specialized training in attachment theory and therapeutic interventions. Organizations are investing heavily in psychology professionals who can deliver both direct care and staff training to meet regulatory expectations. The integration of evidence-based therapies like CBT, play therapy, and DDP into residential care settings represents a sector-wide shift toward more sophisticated psychological support models, creating premium roles for qualified practitioners who can implement these approaches systematically.

Salary Evaluation

The £60,000 pro-rata salary is competitive for part-time psychology roles in the UK market, equating to approximately £75,000-80,000 full-time equivalent. This positioning reflects the specialized nature of working with children in care and the HCPC registration requirement, placing it in the upper quartile for similar positions outside London.

Role Significance

Typically operates within multidisciplinary teams of 8-12 professionals including social workers, care staff, and other health professionals, with the psychologist often serving as the primary mental health specialist and providing expert guidance to the broader team structure.
This mid-level position carries significant autonomous responsibility with strategic influence over care standards and staff development. The role combines direct clinical work with consultation responsibilities, indicating a position that bridges individual practice with organizational development and requires independent decision-making in complex cases.

Key Projects

Implementation of trauma-informed care protocols across residential facilities Development of staff training programs for behavior management and therapeutic approaches Design of individual therapeutic intervention programs for high-need children Contribution to Ofsted compliance initiatives and quality improvement projects Research and evaluation of therapeutic outcomes to inform service development

Success Factors

Ability to work effectively with highly vulnerable children who have experienced significant trauma, requiring advanced therapeutic skills and emotional resilience to manage complex cases while maintaining professional boundaries and therapeutic relationships. Strong collaboration and consultation skills to influence multidisciplinary teams and elevate organizational capacity for trauma-informed care, as the role involves significant responsibility for staff development and training delivery. Comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements in Ofsted-regulated environments, as the position directly contributes to organizational standards and quality measures that impact operational licensing. Flexibility and adaptability to work across multiple therapeutic modalities while maintaining evidence-based practice standards, as the role requires expertise in CBT, play therapy, and specialized approaches like DDP.

Market Demand

High demand driven by regulatory requirements, increased mental health awareness, and chronic shortages of qualified child psychologists in residential care settings. The combination of HCPC registration requirements and specialized experience creates a constrained talent pool.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

HCPC registration represents the foundational credential required for legal practice as a psychology professional in the UK, serving as both a quality assurance measure and professional protection mechanism that enables autonomous clinical decision-making and therapeutic intervention delivery. Trauma-informed care expertise is essential given the population served, as children in residential care have typically experienced significant adverse childhood experiences requiring specialized therapeutic approaches that understand the neurobiological and psychological impacts of trauma on development. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are vital for success in multidisciplinary collaboration, staff consultation, and therapeutic relationship building with vulnerable children who may have experienced relationship trauma and exhibit challenging behaviors.

Beneficial Skills

Training in Dyadic Development Psychotherapy (DDP) provides competitive advantage as this specialized approach is increasingly recognized as best practice for attachment-focused therapy with children who have experienced relational trauma, positioning practitioners as subject matter experts. Experience in Ofsted-regulated environments demonstrates understanding of quality standards and compliance frameworks that are critical for organizational success and risk management in residential care settings. Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) enhances therapeutic toolkit and aligns with contemporary approaches to behavior management that emphasize understanding behavioral function rather than purely controlling behavioral expression.

Unique Aspects

The combination of direct therapeutic work with staff training and consultation responsibilities creates a hybrid role that offers both clinical satisfaction and organizational influence, appealing to psychology professionals seeking varied responsibilities and strategic impact.
Specific focus on Dyadic Development Psychotherapy (DDP) and trauma-informed care approaches indicates specialization in cutting-edge therapeutic modalities that are increasingly recognized as best practice in residential care settings.
The pro-rata salary structure with comprehensive benefits package suggests flexibility for work-life balance while maintaining competitive compensation, which is particularly attractive in the demanding field of child psychology.
Integration with Ofsted compliance and service development activities provides exposure to regulatory frameworks and quality improvement processes that enhance professional development and career advancement opportunities.

Career Growth

Progression to senior roles typically occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated impact on service development and regulatory compliance, while management positions may be achievable within 5-7 years with additional leadership experience.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Psychologist or Lead Psychologist positions with greater clinical oversight responsibilities Psychology Service Manager roles combining clinical expertise with operational management Independent psychology consultant specializing in residential care and trauma-informed practice Clinical Director positions in specialized children's services organizations

Company Overview

Holden Knight Healthcare

Holden Knight Healthcare appears to be a specialized healthcare recruitment and staffing organization that focuses on placing qualified professionals in residential care and healthcare settings. The company operates in the competitive healthcare staffing market, providing both permanent placement and potentially interim services to organizations requiring specialized psychology professionals.

As a healthcare recruitment specialist, the company likely maintains strong relationships with Ofsted-regulated facilities and understands the specific compliance and quality requirements of the residential care sector. Their focus on qualified professionals with specific certifications suggests a premium positioning in the healthcare staffing market.
Operating across the Northampton/Peterborough region indicates established connections with local healthcare providers and residential care facilities in the East Midlands area, suggesting regional expertise and understanding of local market conditions and regulatory requirements.
The emphasis on trauma-informed care, professional development funding, and comprehensive benefits suggests a organization that prioritizes staff wellbeing and professional growth, recognizing the emotional demands of working with vulnerable children and the importance of supporting psychology professionals in high-stress environments.
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