Clinical Psychologist

The Children and Youth Group (CYG) in The Salvation Army Singapore serves hundreds of vulnerable children and youth yearly. In line with our vision to provide a continuum of care to uplift those in need, our services span from preventive services, foster care and residential services to reunification support services for vulnerable children returning to their natural families after being removed due to safety concerns. We believe that every child is precious and unique and children grow best in families. We also believe in the potential of every child and family to transform and thrive.

About the job

The Salvation Army Children & Youth Group is seeking a dynamic and experienced Clinical Psychologist to lead the development of mental health services aimed at supporting youth with trauma backgrounds, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and other complex psychological needs. The role will involve providing therapeutic support to children and adolescents, setting up mental health frameworks, and supervising a multidisciplinary team.

The Clinical Psychologist will be instrumental in designing evidence-based therapeutic interventions for vulnerable youth in residential and community settings. Additionally, the successful candidate will collaborate with social workers, counsellors, and educators to ensure a trauma-informed approach to care, fostering resilience, emotional regulation, and social development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Service Development and Programme Leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of psychological services tailored to the needs of individuals and groups within The Salvation Army Children & Youth Group.
• Develop structured therapeutic frameworks and interventions focusing on trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and resilience.
• Implement evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), among others, to address the specific needs of the youth population.
• Collaborate with residential staff and external partners to design holistic and integrated care plans for youth.

2. Direct Clinical Services

• Provide individual, group, and family therapy for children and adolescents with complex trauma histories, emotional regulation difficulties, and challenging behaviours.
• Conduct psychological assessments, including diagnostic evaluations, cognitive testing, and behavioural assessments.
• Develop and monitor individualised treatment plans to guide therapeutic interventions.
• Offer crisis intervention services when necessary, including managing immediate risks and addressing urgent behavioural issues.

3. Supervision and Training

• Supervise counsellors, assistant psychologists, and trainee psychologists, offering guidance and mentorship in delivering clinical services.
• Lead training sessions for staff on trauma-informed care, mental health awareness, de-escalation techniques, and psychological intervention strategies.
• Provide reflective practice opportunities and clinical supervision to staff and trainees, supporting professional development and capacity building.

4. Programme Monitoring and Evaluation

• Develop tools to monitor the effectiveness of mental health interventions, using quantitative and qualitative data to measure outcomes.
• Evaluate programme success and make data-driven adjustments to therapeutic approaches as needed.
• Work with management to ensure services are continuously aligned with best practices and meet the evolving needs of the children and youth.

5. Systemic and Community Engagement

• Build strong partnerships with community mental health services, schools, hospitals, and other stakeholders to support continuity of care.
• Advocate for youth mental health needs within the organisation and at community levels.
• Engage with families and caregivers to provide psychoeducation and guidance on supporting youth with trauma.

Key Competencies

• Expertise in child and adolescent mental health, with a strong understanding of trauma-informed care.
• Ability to work effectively with complex cases involving emotional, behavioural, and psychological difficulties.
• Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to supervise, train, and mentor a clinical team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with vulnerable youth, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong clinical judgement and problem-solving skills, particularly in crisis situations.
• Capacity to work in a flexible and dynamic environment, with a focus on service development and continuous improvement.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience working with children, adolescents and/or families, with a focus on complex mental health needs, although promising fresh Masters graduates will also be considered.
• Experience in developing and delivering psychological services or programmes for youth populations, preferably in a residential or community setting.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct psychological assessments and develop treatment plans for children and adolescents.
• Experience in providing supervision to clinical staff and trainees is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the mental health and social service landscape in Singapore is an advantage.

Other Requirements

• A strong commitment to the values and mission of The Salvation Army, particularly in supporting at-risk youth.
• Willingness to adhere to organisational policies and maintain the highest standards of professional ethics.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; additional local languages are advantageous.
  

• Minimum Qualification: Masters in Clinical Psychology or equivalent from a recognised institution. Those with Doctorates are welcome to apply as well.
• Must be registered or eligible for registration with a recognised professional psychology board (e.g., Singapore Psychological Society or other equivalent international body).
• Eligibility to practice as a Clinical Psychologist in Singapore is essential.

Working Hours

Please be informed that it is a 5-day work week and the total work hours is 44 hours per week.

Monday to Friday - 9.30am to 6.30pm Friday (inclusive 1 hour lunch break)

Flexibility in working hours is required in this role.

Working Location

The Salvation ArmyChildren and Youth Group - Gracehaven Children's Home

3 Lorong Napiri Singapore 547528

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