CAMHS Specialist Practitioner (N&S MCCAED – Outpatients)

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Client:

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

03c6b4207e9d

Job Views:

8

Posted:

24.04.2025

Expiry Date:

08.06.2025

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Job Description:

Job overview

The post holder will be a care coordinator responsible for assessing and treating a range of mental health and significant behavioural difficulties in children and young people whom are referred to the team.
You will carry out risk assessments with children & young people and their families routinely and work under the supervision of the team manager and senior clinical supervisor to manage these situations effectively.
You will be part of the daily duty rota for the service, which involves screening and managing new referrals, telephone queries and supporting the team where necessary.
You will work with other CAMHS practitioners in the service from all disciplines. You will be a member of a number of internal and external professional networks to ensure that care plans for individual children and services across agencies are co-ordinated efficiently and effectively. This post is a clinical post and the expectation is that 75% of your time is spent in clinical practice. You may clinically and/or professionally supervise, advise or manage junior members.

If you are trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, play therapy, art therapy you may apply for this post and your clinical skills will be an added asset for the Symbol team.

Main duties of the job

Assume responsibility for own case list and case management of children, adolescents and families who are determined to be at low/medium/high risk.
Make a clinical formulation from a standard CAMH assessment, including risk assessment, on which to recommend a treatment intervention. Design, write and share a copy of the care plan with children, young people and their carers. Carry out the planned intervention with minimal supervision.
Assess safeguarding issues for own case and refer concerns to Child Protection teams.
Deliver interventions for children and young people with specific client groups and evidence-based interventions aligned with NICE guidelines and best practices. Reasons for exceptions must be documented and approved.
Use individual, group, family work, advice, and supervision tailored to the needs of children and young people, adopting a flexible and innovative approach.
Participate and lead in joint complex assessments with other disciplines and agencies, providing reports as required.
Maintain good relationships and communication with other professional agencies, offering advice and support where appropriate.

Working for our organisation

This role is for the Symbol therapy team for children looked after, adopted children, and children on special guardianship orders.

Lewisham is a borough with high social needs and high levels of mental illness in adults.
The child population of Lewisham aged 0-19 years is estimated at 64,000. The area faces socioeconomic challenges, with 30% of households in some wards without a wage earner, and 37% of children aged 0-14 from ethnic minority groups. The number of children looked after by the local authority is approximately 480.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Participate as a multidisciplinary team member in setting and reviewing therapeutic aims, objectives, standards, and strategies to ensure high-quality care.
Ensure accurate, up-to-date, and high-quality recording of client contact within CAMHS standards.
Collect and collate clinical activity data using electronic systems.
Work with the team and clients to maintain a safe therapeutic environment and ensure quality standards.
Maintain professional standards and attitudes towards children, young people, and their families.
Collaborate with statutory and voluntary agencies, maintaining good relationships and communication.
Contribute to team functioning through attendance at relevant meetings and taking on responsibilities as negotiated.
Supervise junior team members or trainees from any discipline.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or higher qualification required.
• Professional training and relevant CAMHS experience with registration in bodies such as NMC, HPC, ACP, UKCP, or BACP.
• ENB 998 or equivalent mentorship/training (Nursing only).
• Further post-qualifying training in working with children and adolescents with mental health issues.

Experience

• Supervised clinical experience working with children and adolescents with mental health needs or transferable skills.
• Responsibility for care delivery in specific areas, maintaining safety.
• Experience with group, individual, family work, multidisciplinary collaboration, clinical governance, audit, and supervision in CAMHS.
• Experience working with Looked After Children and foster carers.

Knowledge

• Understanding of mental health disorders in children and adolescents.
• Knowledge of legislation such as the Children Act, Mental Health Act, Human Rights Act, and Mental Capacity Act, as well as London Child protection procedures.
• Assessment and management of risk, clinical governance principles, confidentiality, and research application.

Skills & abilities

• Therapeutic work skills with children and young people using various interventions.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to new concepts.
• Good communication and IT skills.
• Teamwork and reflective practice skills.
• Proficiency in specific therapeutic techniques.