Clinical Psychologist for Adults with Learning Disabilities (ALDP)

NHS Scotland 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. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

Band 8a | 0.76 WTE | Permanent

Learning/Intellectual Disability Psychology

Are you looking for a specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychology role where you can make a meaningful difference, develop your expertise and help shape services across a diverse region?

We are looking for a motivated and dynamic Band 8a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to join our supportive Learning/Intellectual Disability Psychology team. This is an excellent opportunity to work with adults with learning/intellectual disabilities, their families and carers, delivering high-quality psychological care within a well-established multidisciplinary service.

This role offers the chance to work autonomously as a clinical specialist, delivering high quality psychology assessment and intervention with adults living with learning/intellectual disability; within the governance of NHS Highland board policies and professional guidelines. You will also offer expert advice, consultation and leadership to multidisciplinary colleagues and wider health and social care professionals.

The role provides opportunities to contribute to

• Specialist psychological and neuropsychological assessment and intervention
• Consultation and psychologically informed care across the wider system
• Clinical supervision, teaching and staff development
• Service improvement, clinical audit and research
• Quality outcome measurement and evaluation
• Contributing to the continuing development of accessible and effective service pathways

You will be supported through regular supervision and a strong network of professional and multidisciplinary colleagues. Operational line management will be provided by the Head of Psychology for Learning Disabilities, with access to training, continuing professional development and wider service delivery, research and development opportunities.

Psychology Services in NHS Highland is a supportive, dynamic and developing service working across a geographically diverse region. Our context encourages innovation, flexibility and new ways of delivering care. We are also a training department, with opportunities to contribute to supervision and research through our links with the University of Glasgow.

The post combines attendance at clinics and service bases across the region with remote working, according to clinical and service need. Virtual and in-person multidisciplinary working are important parts of our approach, helping us provide equitable access across remote and rural communities.

Travel across the North Highland Health and Social Care Partnership area will be required. We will support you to work flexibly across clinic locations, hospital bases and home-working arrangements.

We warmly welcome applications from

• Experienced Clinical/Counselling Psychologists seeking a specialist or development opportunity
• Newly qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologists
• Candidates interested in moving to the region from another clinical specialty
• Candidates seeking part-time, flexible or job-share arrangements

Due to the many exciting developments across Psychology Services in NHS Highland, there are also opportunities for employees to gain broader experience by joining our Intergrated Staff Bank if additional hours are of interest.

The successful candidate may also be eligible to apply for the NHS Highland Staff Lease Car Scheme and for support with relocation costs. Further details can be obtained from NHSH Resourcing as part of your application.

If you are interested in joining a welcoming specialist team, developing your clinical and leadership contribution, and improving psychological care for adults with learning/intellectual disabilities across Highland, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Interviews: Interviews are currently planned for 29th October 2026. Please make a note of this for your diary in case of invite to interview.

Informal enquiries

John McGeown
Principal Clinical Psychologist, Learning Disability Service
Email: john.mcgeown@nhs.scot

Paul Mason
Principal Clinical Psychologist, Learning Disability Service
Email: paul.mason10@nhs.scot

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• Please note that this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if a high number of applications are received. Early application is therefore advised.
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• Applications are welcome from Gaelic speakers. / Tha fàilte air tagraidhean bho luchd‑labhairt na Gàidhlig.
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NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

We employ over 10,700 people, making us one of the biggest employers in the area. As an organisation, we make a very significant contribution to the local economy.

Our staff are also important members of our communities. Our greatest asset is our workforce, and the way we go about our work comes from the values and behaviours we demonstrate on a daily basis. As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and social care values.

Care and compassion – Dignity and respect – Openness, honesty and responsibility – Quality and teamwork