Locum Psychologist - Children & Young People's Learning Disabilities Service

Pulse Mental Health is currently recruiting for a Locum Psychologist to join a specialist 0–19 Learning Disabilities and Neurodevelopmental Service in Birmingham, West Midlands. The service supports children and young people with moderate to severe learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, behaviours that challenge, and a range of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and ADHD.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a specialist NHS multidisciplinary team working with young people who present with complex and often overlapping needs. Many children and young people supported by the service are awaiting formal diagnosis and require comprehensive psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention. You will play an important role in supporting young people, families, carers, and professionals to improve outcomes and enhance quality of life.

The service offers a varied and rewarding caseload, a supportive team environment, and the opportunity to make a genuine difference to children and young people across Birmingham.

Responsibilities

As a Locum Psychologist, you will:

• Undertake specialist psychological assessments for children and young people aged 0–19 years presenting with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Develop formulations to understand complex presentations and inform care planning and intervention.
• Deliver evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to individual needs.
• Support children and young people who present with behaviours that challenge and co-occurring mental health needs.
• Work collaboratively with families, carers, schools, social care teams, and other professionals involved in care.
• Provide consultation and psychological advice to multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Contribute to safeguarding, risk assessment, and risk management processes.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in line with professional standards.
• Support service development and the promotion of psychologically informed approaches across the wider team.

Benefits

• Competitive NHS agency rates.
• Flexible working arrangements with full-time and part-time options available.
• Opportunity to work within a specialist children's learning disability and neurodevelopmental service.
• Varied and clinically rewarding caseload.
• Collaborative and supportive multidisciplinary team.
• Regular clinical supervision and professional support.
• Dedicated Pulse consultant throughout your placement.
• Streamlined compliance and onboarding process.
• Access to exclusive NHS opportunities through Pulse Mental Health.

Qualifications and Experience

We welcome applications from HCPC-registered psychologists with experience working with children, young people, and/or individuals with complex needs. If you do not meet every requirement listed below but feel you have relevant skills and experience, we would still encourage you to apply.

Essential

• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Experience conducting psychological assessments and delivering psychological interventions.
• Experience working with children and young people and/or individuals with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, or neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication, formulation, and report-writing skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and risk management.

Desirable

• Experience working within NHS services.
• Experience supporting children and young people with moderate to severe learning disabilities.
• Experience working with behaviours that challenge.
• Knowledge of autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental presentations.
• Experience providing consultation and guidance to families and professional networks.

How to Apply

If you're interested in this Locum Psychologist opportunity in Birmingham, apply today via the Pulse website. A member of our specialist Mental Health recruitment team will contact you to discuss the role in more detail, answer any questions, and support you through the application process.

Why Work with Pulse?

Pulse Mental Health is a leading healthcare recruitment agency, connecting talented professionals with rewarding opportunities across the NHS and independent sector.

When you work with Pulse, you'll benefit from:

• A dedicated recruitment consultant with specialist market knowledge.
• Access to exclusive vacancies nationwide.
• Expert compliance and onboarding support.
• CV and interview guidance.
• Regular communication and ongoing placement support.
• A personalised recruitment experience focused on your career goals.

Reasonable Adjustments

Pulse Mental Health is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application, interview, or onboarding process, please let us know. We will work with you and the hiring organisation to ensure you receive the support you need throughout your recruitment journey.