Clinical Psychologist & Head of Therapy

Clinical Psychologist & Head of Therapy

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Contract Type: Permanent, part-time, term time only

Hours: **3 days with the possibility to increase in the future

Actual Annual Salary: £29,128.41 - £33,641.87

Start Date: Summer term

Aurora Vincent House School

As part of our growth strategy, Aurora are really pleased to be opening a brand new SEND Secondary School in 2025 in the heart of Horsham, West Sussex for young neurodivergent students aged 11-16. Most of our students are coming to us from mainstream education to have access to an adapted National Curriculum delivered in small classes with a focus on meeting their sensory needs and support for their emotional wellbeing. Many of our students would have previously camouflaged at school or had freeze/faun responses or sometimes flight; Vincent House School will provide an accepting and safe, welcoming place for young people to thrive.

The Role:

This is an outstanding opportunity for a practitioner to have a significant impact on culture and practice within a new provision and be integral to the strategic development of the school. Through your role you would support the school to be:

• neuro-informed and neuro-affirmative
• practicing an integrated therapeutic offer
• providing an excellent universal offer based on high quality training for all staff
• evidence based but innovative in approaches
• holistically supportive of students and their families
• trained in supporting female students whose neurodivergence invariably presents differently to that of their male peers
• be able to provide a safe environment for those young people who may be a danger to themselves due to high anxiety
• trauma-informed in their practice
• working collaboratively with CAMHS and external support agencies
• actively involved in relevant research projects and initiatives that support the neurodivergent community and the mental health of young people
• outstanding in their care and safeguarding of all students
• effective in promoting attitudes that value young people with SEND as individuals with a right to be treated with respect

You would do this in a transdisciplinary model with other senior leaders to enable our students to thrive now and in the future. You would also lead the therapy offer from the school which will involve the deployment and line management of any additional therapists from different disciplines as required and in liaison with the school SENDCO. You would also have the support of the Aurora Group’s clinical teams and coordinators.

The continuous training of colleagues is a key role as well as liaising with parents in conjunction with other senior leaders. This is an exciting and rare opportunity where you would be integral to setting up a unique SEND provision and building a bespoke curriculum with the support of Aurora.

Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Vincent House School when required. Please see the link below for our full job description:

Job Description - Clinical Psychologist

Skills and Qualifications

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:  

• knowledge and ability to promote the dignity and individuality of young people by encouraging effective communication, making choices and reducing support needs.
• experience working with students with a diagnosis of ASC, Developmental Trauma, and comorbid mental health conditions
• previous successful support of neurodivergent students
• a willingness to continue their in-depth knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity
• experience of supporting families with children and young people with SEND.
• an in-depth knowledge of the Positive Behaviour Support Framework and uses a trauma informed approach

It is also preferable for candidates to have experience:

• of working with SEND provisions
• of supporting students with ARFID and disordered eating
• working with students aged 11-16

Candidates must:

• have a Post graduate clinical qualification in Psychology
• be registered with Health & Care Profession Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist
• be enthusiastic to work alongside professional educators ensuring integrated therapy
• develop positive professional relationships with young people, parents, families and colleagues as well as external stakeholders

We offer:

• Fully funded training and qualifications, peer supervision and reflective practice within our growing group of qualified Psychologists.
• Opportunities to be involved and lead in research that will support our students and the wider neurodivergent community.
• Opportunities to work collaboratively with others schools, forums, local initiatives and a wide range of external agencies.
• A rare opportunity to be part of a team creating a new school and culture that will change the lives of many young people and their families within the wider community.
• It is an exciting time to be part of Aurora and this is a unique career opportunity to make your mark on our growing services.

Interested applicants can contact Liz to arrange an informal meeting/call with the Headteacher who can discuss the vision, details and opportunities of the role with you.

Benefits and Additional Information

You will also benefit from a generous package that includes:

• Life assurance
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Perkbox - offering high street discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Car lease scheme
• Fully funded training and qualifications
• Bike to work scheme
• Free membership to our Health cash back plan

How to Apply: 

Please complete an online application form in full. If you need any assistance or would like any more information, please contact Liz in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at liz.hudson@the-aurora-group.com

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be paused or taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled or we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.