CAMHS Urgent Care Team Specialist Practitioner.

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a CAMHS practitioner to deliver urgent mental health care for children in crisis. Responsibilities include assessments in emergency settings and providing therapeutic support. Applicants should have relevant qualifications and experience in mental health crisis intervention. The role offers a competitive salary and supports professional development.

Benefits

Generous relocation package

Flexible working options

Staff rewards and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Must have experience in CAMHS as a registered mental health practitioner.
• Evidence of continuing professional development is essential.
• Experience in psychiatric liaison and crisis intervention preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload and offer therapeutic interventions.
• Conduct mental health assessments in various settings.
• Collaborate with community services for integrated care.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Mental health assessment

Therapeutic skills

Child protection

Team collaboration

Education

Relevant Professional Qualification (RMN, SW)

Post registration training in therapeutic skills

Job description

Job summary

The CAMHS crisis 24 hours urgent care and outreach offer rapid response, prompt global mental health assessment, clinical risk-assessment, safe discharge plan, and where appropriate intensive brief interventions for children and young people up to the age of 18, who are experiencing an acute mental health or emotional crisis. The service works with children, young people, and their families experiencing mental health crisis in the least restrictive environment, consistent with the need for their own safety, and the safety of others. The team will provide service in a range of settings, and offer an alternative to traditional response of in-patient care or acute hospital admission. The primary location for assessment is in the Emergency Department of our local acute hospitals, and when required the CAMHS crisis urgent care outreach practitioner is expected to attend the young person\'s home, school, and other community locations to ensure the service reaches out to meet the needs of children, young people and their families.

Job responsibilities

• Manage a small caseload.
• Offer therapeutic interventions to young people and their families in crisis in A&E, paediatric ward, in clinic and in the community.
• Attend A&E for mental health assessment, and safe discharge plan.
• Offer review appointments.
• Work collaboratively with community CAMHS, social services, schools, and other teams in the locality.

About us

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 7,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London\'s population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We are proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff. We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. See attached Staff Reward and Wellbeing Handbook detailing our benefits, discounts and wellbeing intiatives for staff.

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

Details

Date posted: 30 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £53,751 to £60,651 a year Per annum incl. HCAS

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 333-G-CA-1601

Job locations: Laurel Lodge, Hillingdon x 1 B7 and Woodfield Road London W9 2NW x 1 B7 post; Laurel Lodge Hillingdon x 1 B7 and Woodfield Rd London W9 2NW x 1 B7; Hillingdon and Westminster; UB8 3HD

Job responsibilities (continued)

Assessment

To undertake initial mental health and risk assessments of young people following acts of deliberate self-harm and/or in an acute mental health crisis. These will take place mainly in the emergency department, on the paediatric wards, at clients home and other community sites.

To undertake initial mental health and risk assessments following other risky behaviours and urgent mental health presentations, in the emergency department, crisis hubs, at home, in school, and other community locations.

To consult with staff in local CAMHS teams to provide further specialist assessment if necessary.

To follow the assessment protocol for such cases and to complete the clinical record on System One (electronic patient records).

Short term crisis intervention

To formulate and implement care packages for the treatment and management of the clients mental health problems. These should be based on an appropriate conceptual framework and evidence-based models of practice i.e. DBT, CBT, and systemic work.

To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options in consultation with the multidisciplinary team, considering both theoretical and therapeutic models.

To act as a co-worker with other members of the multidisciplinary team as appropriate.

Offer 7 days follow up mental health review appointment to all children, and young people discharged from A&E.

Organise and plan professional meetings.

Discharge planning from acute hospital.

Liaising with acute colleagues, safeguarding team, social services, schools, and other community partner agencies for a joint care planning.

Transfer of client to local CAMHS on completion of assessment and/or treatment.

To provide advice, guidance and consultation to professionals working in other agencies and contribute to multi-agency care planning.

To ensure effective verbal and written communication with all staff and clients in order to maximise user involvement in the delivery of care and treatment on transfer to local CAMHS.

To maintain clinical records appropriately and in line with the Trust policy.

To comply with London Child Protection Procedures on the management of child protection issues as well as Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust internal procedures.

Contribute to and provide training to peers and the network (e.g. acute hospital colleagues).

Person specification

Training and Qualifications Essential

• Relevant Professional Qualification i.e. RMN (NMC), SW with current registration
• Post registration training in therapeutic skills/CAMHS work
• Evidence of continuing professional and personal development

Desirable

• Higher degree.
• Formal qualification in an appropriate therapeutic field.
• Qualified AMP/ Approved SW

Experience Essential

• CAMHS experience as a registered mental health practitioner
• Psychiatric liaison/crisis intervention experience
• Experience of implementing and monitoring standards of care
• Experience of participation in case conferences and reviews
• Experience of supervising junior staff within own and/or other disciplines.
• Experience in managing and leading multi-professional meeting.

Desirable

• Demonstrable post qualification experience of working in a CAMHS setting on either inpatient or outpatient basis
• Experience of using a range of therapeutic approaches
• Experience of delivering Training.
• Experience of deputising as a Team Lead

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Specialist knowledge of mental health disorders as well as their relationship to physical disorders.
• Global clinical Mental Health assessment experience.
• Clinical Risk Assessment and Management/Safety Plan
• Discharge Planning experience
• Knowledge of counselling skills and psychosocial interventions.
• High level skills in risk assessment and management.
• Proven ability to engage children, young people and their families in therapeutic work
• Sound understanding of child, adolescent and family dynamics and development.
• Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, and National Policy

Desirable

• Skills in CBT or family work.
• Research and audit skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Laurel Lodge, Hillingdon x 1 B7 and Woodfield Road London W9 2NW x 1 B7 post; Laurel Lodge Hillingdon x 1 B7 and Woodfield Rd London W9 2NW x 1 B7; Hillingdon and Westminster; UB8 3HD

Employer's website: cnwl.nhs.uk/work