CAMHS Mental Health Practitioner - Eating Disorder Pathway

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent health service provider in Plymouth is looking for a Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner to join their CAMHS Eating Disorder Pathway. The role involves multi-disciplinary teamwork to support young people experiencing eating disorders through assessments, care planning, and direct clinical interventions. Candidates should have strong communication skills and experience in mental health support for children. The position requires flexibility and a UK driving license.

Benefits

Protected CPD time

Training pathways

Leadership programs

Qualifications

• Experience of working in multi-agency contexts.
• Post-registration experience with children and young people.
• Knowledge of mental health problems affecting children.

Responsibilities

• Undertake weekly assessments and contribute to care planning.
• Support physical health monitoring for young people.
• Direct clinical work with children and their families.

Skills

Mental health and risk assessment skills

Case management skills

Strong oral and written communication

Commitment to learning and development

Full UK driving license

Job description

Job summary

37.5 hours per week.

We have an exciting opportunity within Livewell Southwest CAMHS Eating Disorder Pathway for a Band 5 Mental Health Practitioner.

The CAMHS Eating Disorder Pathway provides a specialist service for children and young people aged 5-18 who are experiencing eating disorders. There is strong evidence that early identification and treatment significantly reduce the severity and duration of illness.

The post holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) within the Eating Disorder Pathway, and in close collaboration with other CAMHS teams and external agencies. The team operates within the ITHRIVE model of care, promoting recovery through timely, evidence-based interventions and holistic support.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Main duties of the job

This Band 5 role supports the early stages of help, including undertaking weekly assessments, contributing to care planning, and supporting physical health monitoring. The post holder will be responsible for presenting cases back to the MDT alongside the assessment team, and for feeding back outcomes of assessments to families and professionals involved in the young persons care.

The post holder will undertake direct clinical work with children and young people and their families. Their caseload will consist of young people with eating disorders as a primary diagnosis, who require intensive support to minimise deterioration and improve outcomes for both their mental and physical health.

This role involves working in a variety of settings including homes, schools, clinics, and community environments, and contributes to the wider CAMHS services commitment to improving health and social outcomes for children, young people, and families across Plymouth.

The post holder will contribute to the Eating Disorder Duty Rota which operates daily, Monday to Friday.

The post holder will be available for and make use of clinical supervision, safeguarding supervision and case load management.

They will manage a defined caseload (up to 15 clinical sessions per week), including essential care coordination responsibilities.

The post holder will be required to work flexibly in hours of clinical availability.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Person Specification

Skill

• Mental health and risk assessment, care planning, intervention and evaluation skills
• Case management and organisational skills
• Strong oral and written communication
• Commitment to anti-oppressive practice
• Ability to work in partnership and collaboration
• Commitment to learning and development
• Reflective practitioner
• Full UK driving license and access to a car for work purposes

Experience

• Experience of working in multi-agency/multi-disciplinary contexts
• Post-registration experience with children and young people with mental health difficulties
• Experience in assessment (including risk), care planning, intervention, and evaluation
• Experience of working with families from different cultural backgrounds
• Experience of maintaining safety in community settings (e.g., breakaway training)
• Experience of managing own caseload and working within a team approach

Knowledge

• Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance (e.g., Children Act 2004, Child Protection, NSF, Every Child Matters)
• Knowledge of mental health problems affecting children and young people
• Knowledge of child development theories and their application
• Understanding of resilience and vulnerability