Principal Specialist Psychologist

BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND – WEST REGION

POST OF: TEMPORARY FULL-TIME INTERIM PRINCIPAL SPECIALIST PSYCHOLOGIST

CHILDREN’S DISABILITY NETWORK 6 TEAM

JOB REF: 87741

The Children Disability Network Services provides support and input to children and young people from age 0 to 18 who have complex needs associated with disabilities. Input and support will be through an MDT approach, underpinned by Family Centred Practice and Individual Family Service Planning.

The Team includes Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Administrators, Community Nurse, Dietician, Behaviour Support and Pre-School Liaison teacher. Staff report to the Children’s Disability Network Manager for line management and receive clinical support and supervision through their discipline lead, such as Head of Department or Therapy Manager.

It is an exciting time to join the Children’s Disabilities Services as we move forward with the reconfiguration of existing services, in line with the National Policy of Progressing Disability Services. Within this planned change, many new opportunities will be presented to support the progression and development of the service.

The Role:

The post holder will join the Children’s Disability Network Team 6 (CDNT6) based at the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, West Region (Galway). They will carry a clinical caseload of children with complex disabilities aged 0-18 years and will also provide specialist inputs for the Children’s Disability Network Team 6 and with the Psychologists and others where appropriate working in CDNT6.

The post holder will support the CDNT6 Network Manager, in ensuring the effective delivery of high quality psychology services for the children that is responsive to the needs of children and their families and that functions effectively as an integrated element of disability and wider Health Services. The post holder will contribute to the planning, development, and evaluation of evolving service initiatives.

The Principal Psychologist will lead and support effective delivery of quality Psychology services within the Children’s Disability Network Team. Psychology service provision includes assessment, formulation, intervention, consultation, research, education and support, from a multi-theoretical base and across all relevant domains and difficulties.

The post-holder will provide expert Psychology services to the Children’s Disability Team in relation to any identified specialist skills. Such psychological leadership will be provided in line with service plans and objectives, and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy.

The post-holder will additionally carry out relevant duties as assigned by the line manager and liaise with the local Psychology Manager on relevant clinical matters.

CDNT6 covers a geographical area of: Galway City East, Claregalway, Gort, Headford and Oranmore.

Reports / Responsible to:

Children’s Network Team Manager.

Qualifications:

Candidates must hold:

• A recognised University degree or diploma obtained with first or second class honours in which psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject.

and

• A postgraduate professional psychological qualification appropriate to the area of professional psychology in which the position is designated and recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland and Department of Health and Children for a practicing Psychologist in the Irish Health System.

and

• Have at least eight years satisfactory post graduate experience in the area of professional psychology in which the position is designated inclusive of any time spent in pursuing a course leading to the postgraduate qualification and including at least three years satisfactory experience in a senior capacity.

and

• Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Experience:

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Sufficient professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role to a high standard.

• Competence in the provision of clinical governance over professional psychology services, to an excellent standard, within multi-disciplinary settings.

• An excellent awareness of current professional issues in the relevant care group area and the wider health services.

• An excellent understanding of relevant regulatory frameworks and the ensuing responsibilities of the role, as well as a capacity to deliver on these responsibilities.

• Excellence in leadership skills; including the strategic development of services and proven success in project management of quality initiatives.

• Effective clinical supervision skills and clinical ability including excellent interpersonal communication and professional behaviour, effective conflict resolution skills and commitment to supporting continuing professional development in the interests of the children supported.

• Excellent communication skills, to the level required to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

• Excellent professional knowledge of evidence based practice, to the level required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

• An ability to apply professional knowledge to best practice and to the development of cost effective services.

• The ability to plan and deliver psychological services in an effective, efficient and resourceful manner.

• An ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment.

• The ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions in the best interests of children supported.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues, families, carers and children supported in the interests of delivering the best possible services within available resources.

• Effective team building and team enhancement skills.

• A characteristic ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect in challenging circumstances.

• A high level of commitment to a public service role.

• Flexibility and openness to change.

• A clear understanding of professional ethics.

• A knowledge of research methods.

Working hours:

70 hours per fortnight based on a 5 day duty roster. Hours worked will be within the hours of 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Contracted hours are liable to change between the hours of 8am– 8pm as future service needs require.

The Brothers of Charity model of service is based on Personal Outcome Measures requiring employees to be flexible in their working hours to provide a quality service delivery for each individual.

A family centred approach to service delivery and the ongoing transformation of the health service will require employees to be flexible in their working hours to provide a quality service delivery for each individual.

The Health Service is undergoing ongoing modernisation and therefore it is critical that a flexible attitude to changing environments and work requirements is held by the successful candidate.

Annual Leave:

30 days per annum.

Remuneration:

Department of Health Psychologist, Principal Clinical grade salary scale (01st August 2025) - €114,961 x 4 increments – €125,278 (Max) per annum.

LSI 1 €129,274 per annum is payable after 3 years on the maximum of the scale.

LSI 2 €133,271 per annum is payable after a further 3 years.

Tenure:

Temporary, full-time and pensionable on a fixed term basis for a period of 12 months.

Travel/Base:

The person appointed must provide his/her own car and must furnish an indemnity from Insurers in favour of the employer. Travelling expenses at the appropriate rate will be paid in respect of travel necessarily performed in the discharge of duty. There may be a dual office base for this post due to the geographical spread of CDNT6 (Woodlands Campus, Renmore / Lower Newcastle, Galway) this can will be agreed at job offer stage.

Full Job Description is attached.

Informal enquiries to Informal enquiries to Ms. Gillian Raftery, Children’s Disability Network Manager on 091721400.

The closing date for receipt of all applications/CV’s on-line is 5pm, Thursday 06th November 2025.

Interview date to be confirmed.

The Brothers of Charity Services Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.

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