Research Family and Systemic Psychotherapist

Closing date: 17 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year Pro Rata per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 22 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 437-8118900
Location: Bolton/ Wigan Community, Minerva Road, Bolton, BL4 0JE

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 8a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist to join our dynamic NHS trust within a research study.

The role of the Family and Systemic Psychotherapist is to ensure delivery and development of a high-quality specialist assessment and intervention offer underpinned by a systemic framework as part of the SAFE Systemic Autism Family Enabling Research Trial.

This is a randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of a therapist-led intervention (SAFE: Systemic Autism-related Family Enabling) plus treatment as usual versus treatment as usual on family functioning and mental health in three dimensions (strengths and adaptability, coping with difficulties and problem solving, communication and understanding) in families of autistic children: a multicentre assessor-blinded trial with parallel process evaluation and economic evaluation.

Main duties of the job
We are looking for a Trial therapist for the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) site of the trial. The therapist should be qualified in Family & Systemic psychotherapy.

The trial therapist will receive further training and supervision in the trial therapy and work alongside other trial therapists to deliver high quality Family & Systemic Psychotherapy in line with therapy protocols. The post holder will also be expected to contribute to study processes including maintaining research records and participating in qualitative research conducted alongside the RCT.

The post holder will need to travel to different study sites in the GMMH footprint in Wigan and Bolton and Trust Headquarters in Prestwich to attend meetings, training, and supervision.

About us
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements: 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts
• fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)

Qualifications
Essential

• Masters level qualification in Family & Systemic Psychotherapy and UKCP registration in this modality

Desirable

• Pre-qualification training and qualifications in relevant fields in health, social care or education settings 2 years post qualifying experience
• Family & Systemic Psychotherapy Doctorate Qualification

Experience
Essential

• Have experience of specialist psychotherapeutic assessment and treatment of families as a full member of a multidisciplinary team located in community, primary care, outpatient or inpatient setting

Desirable

• Experience of the application of systemic psychotherapy in different cultural contexts
• Experience of offering clinical supervision and /or professional consultation

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of legislation in relation to children and adolescents including child protection procedures and policies

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS, Social Care and Education Structures, National policies and frameworks

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychotherapeutic assessment, intervention and management.
• Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.

Other Requirements
Essential

• There is a requirement to travel across the wider footprint of the Trust to attend meetings and events relevant to the role.

Employer contact details
Principal Investigator
Daniel McGowan
View email address on meeveem.com

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.