Principal Psychologist and Clinical Lead

At Evolve Psychology, we do things differently. Founded in 2014 by Dr Laura Powling, Evolve Psychology began with a bold aim to redefine what clinical and neurodevelopmental psychology means in practice. Laura’s vision was simple yet powerful: to bring care, connection, empathy, and clinical excellence together, with no compromise.

What started as a small practice delivering expert witness and neurodevelopmental assessments has grown into an international independent psychology and neurodevelopmental service providing services across the UK, Ireland and beyond. In Ireland, we are nationally and regionally approved by the HSE. We also accept privately funded referrals.

We specialise in a number of different pathways which include:

• Neurodevelopmental assessments through the HSE Assessment of Need pathway,
• Undertaking assessments under the National Autism Framework
• Undertaking assessments referred from Community Disability Network Teams (CDNTs)
• Private neurodevelopmental assessments (online when clinically appropriate and in person)
• SpLD (Dyslexia and Dyscalculia) assessments
• Specialist individual assessments by Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists

We are clinician founded and clinician led. Our clinicians where relevant are proudly registered with CORU or affiliated with the Psychological Society of Ireland and Department of Health. Globally we are an award‑winning, multidisciplinary team of over 100 experts, committed to delivering high‑quality expert services.

What sets Evolve Psychology apart?

• Expert leadership: Founded and led by Dr Laura Powling, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with 20+ years’ experience across mental health, psychological and forensic and neurodevelopmental services, bringing deep clinical insight and hands‑on leadership to everything we do.
• National HSE approved provider: Recognised for the high-quality services we provide offering services regionally and nationally across Ireland
• Dedicated Clinical Leadership - Across all of our clinical pathways
• Gold Standard Assessments compliant with NICE, PSI and other national and international assessment standards
• Access to digital tools to support assessment delivery, including electronic health record system
• Comprehensive CPD and discipline specific clinical supervision offerings
• We prioritise clinical quality and real impact, not speed or scale at the expense of care. Our assessments are evidence‑based, multidisciplinary, and designed to support the whole person, not just produce a diagnosis.
• We offer more than assessment work. Our clinicians can contribute to the Evolve International Skills & Research Academy, developing training and post assessment support for families and educational providers, shaping neuroinclusive content, or collaborating on research, all part of our broader mission to raise awareness and improve support for neurodivergent individuals, educational institutions and workplaces.
• We have a strong, values‑led culture. Compassion, clarity, and integrity guide everything we do, from our team interactions to the way we support families.
• Multi‑channel employee engagement- A dedicated holistic approach to employee engagement and wellbeing. Including online community information forum, team meetings, company events, open feedback forums, management Q&A sessions, employee recognition and awards.
• We’re growing sustainably, with purpose. With new clinics across Ireland targeting areas of most need and hard to reach communities. This includes hybrid and online assessments where clinically appropriate. We are also a carbon neutral company.

The role

Evolve is seeking an exceptional Clinical Governance, Quality & Patient Experience Lead to provide senior strategic leadership across our rapidly expanding Autism, ADHD and mental health services for adults and children/young people across Ireland.

This is a high‑impact, senior‑level role that supports the shaping of the safety, quality, and future direction of advanced neurodevelopmental services across:

• HSE‑funded pathways
• Private clinical services

We are looking for an individual with the dynamic combination of strategic vision, clinical authority and leadership, analytical excellence, commercial awareness, and transformational leadership capability.

Lead Governance, Safety & Quality

• Oversee all clinical governance, safety and quality systems
• Ensure compliance with NICE NG87, NG142, PSI guidance, HIQA standards, AON legislation and HSE governance frameworks
• Lead on patient safety and risk management
• Develop and implement a national Patient Experience Strategy
• Drive co‑production and embed the patient voice
• Ensure compassionate, inclusive and accessible care

Lead Workforce & Clinical Excellence

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary clinical teams
• Oversee clinical supervision, induction and competency frameworks
• Ensure evidence‑based Neurodevelopmental assessments across adult and CYP pathways
• Ensure evidence‑based Multidisciplinary AON assessments

Lead Change, Growth & Transformation

• Work with senior management on service transformation, digital innovation and pathway redesign
• Lead teams through organisational change using structured frameworks
• Support delivery of strategic growth and new service models

Lead Data, Audit & Performance

• Oversee KPI frameworks, clinical audit programmes and data‑driven quality improvement
• Produce robust governance and performance reports for senior leadership and commissioners

Lead Research, Innovation & Organisational Development

• Contribute to research, evaluation and academic collaboration
• Present findings internally and externally
• Support innovation, service evolution and Evolve‑wide strategic initiatives

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for someone who is:

And you will bring:

Clinical Expertise

• 5+ years post‑qualification
• Deep knowledge of Neurodevelopmental services and assessments across adult and CYP pathways
• Deep knowledge of AON pathways
• Experience delivering or supervising adult and CYP assessments aligned with NICE and PSI guidance
• Demonstrated strategic leadership and change management experience
• Experience leading clinical teams and supervising staff
• Experience managing clinical performance, risk and safeguarding

Governance & Quality Authority

• Experience leading clinical governance frameworks
• Strong experience in audit, QI, risk management and KPI oversight
• Ability to interpret legislation, standards and regulatory requirements

Analytical & Communication Mastery

• Advanced data analysis skills
• Confident presentation and communication across all audiences
• Experience with budgeting, resource planning or tenders
• Awareness of balancing quality with financial and operational realities
• Experience contributing to research or service evaluation
• Ability to translate research into clinical action

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Pension contributions
• Generous leave entitlement, including 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays - and a day off for your birthday
• Senior leadership role with significant influence
• Hybrid working with national scope
• Commitment to your CPD, supervision and leadership development
• Opportunity to lead innovative national neurodevelopmental services
• A supportive, values‑driven organisational culture