Since taking over as Chief Psychologist at South Essex Partnership Trust in 2016, I have seen the drive towards needs-based and evidence-informed care flourish in our Mental Health and Community services.

The merger with North Essex Partnership Trust facilitated the redesign of Psychological Services in the new Essex Partnership University NHS Trust, and this merger realised an opportunity to redesign service provision, introduce innovations, and develop our staff.

New investment in Psychological intervention has led to growth of our staffing establishment from around 100 posts to over 600.

I am proud of the trailblazing efforts of our teams, and how Psychological Services have been able to develop as a Directorate while both embedding into, and supporting the functioning of, multi-disciplinary teams.

We pride ourselves in supporting teaching and training, staff support & development initiatives, research projects, digital innovations, new service design, clinical governance and safeguarding, and service user engagement.

We believe in supporting diversity and inclusion, actively encouraging and supporting overseas applicants, and initiating projects to encourage disadvantaged access to psychology provision. Whether it is through developing leaders, providing further clinical skills training, flexible working or remote working, we focus on the wellbeing and career development of all our Psychological Services staff.

I look forward to warmly welcoming you to join us, and to your unique contribution and new ideas.