Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a 0.8 WTE, permanent Clinical/Counselling Psychologist or Psychological Practitioner to join our Maternity Trauma and Loss Care (MTLC) Service.

 The service is aimed at supporting women/birthing people who are affected by pregnancy loss (including terminations for any reason), still birth, neonatal loss, perinatal trauma, and those who have a fear of pregnancy/childbirth (Tokophobia).  The service offers a combination of specialist psychological therapy and specialist midwifery input, to those whose needs cannot be met by other primary or secondary care services.

 MTLC has been developed in conjunction with Experts by Experience, drawing on the invaluable input of women and birthing people locally who have faced maternity trauma and loss.

 The post holder will be a part of an MDT with dedicated psychological practitioners and midwives. They will provide trauma informed assessments and evidence-based interventions to women and birthing people presenting to the service.

 As a tri-borough service, the successful candidate will be asked to work across Hammersmith & Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work across the three West London boroughs covered by the service as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), providing a qualified clinical psychology service to women and birthing people referred to, or receiving care from, the team.

Under the supervision of a senior psychological practitioner, the post holder will screen referrals, undertake specialist psychological assessments and provide trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions for women experiencing trauma, loss and a range of mental health, social and emotional difficulties related to the maternity context. 

The post holder will apply a range of psychological models and deliver specialist perinatal psychology interventions, including developing and facilitating group programmes in community and virtual settings. Interventions will be tailored to the needs of women and their infants, taking account of varying levels of complexity, distress and illness.

Using a psychological and trauma-informed approach, the post holder will provide consultation and advice to colleagues and the wider professional network involved in maternity care across the North West London footprint, including West Middlesex, Chelsea and Westminster, St Mary’s, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea, and Hillingdon Hospitals.

The role requires autonomous practice within professional guidelines and service policies, alongside contribution to research, audit, service evaluation, policy development and improvement. 

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and   Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m. 

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.