Clinical Psychologist CAMHS (development post Band 7 to 8a)

Integrated Care System; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Plymouth is looking for a Clinical Psychologist CAMHS. This post offers a pathway for development from Band 7 to Band 8a, focusing on providing expert psychological assessment and intervention for children with eating disorders. Applicants should have a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and be registered with HCPC. The role includes managing a clinical caseload, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, and supporting service development. This position offers opportunities for supervision and professional growth in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Protected CPD time

Training pathways

Funding for qualifications

Qualifications

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology is required.
• Current registration with the HCPC as a Clinical Psychologist.
• Pre-qualification training in research methodology.

Responsibilities

• Deliver highly specialist psychological assessments and interventions.
• Manage clinical caseload within the CAMHS Eating Disorder team.
• Coordinate care plans and contribute to multidisciplinary decision-making.

Skills

Communication

Psychological assessment

Teamwork

Crisis intervention

Empathy

Education

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Job description

Clinical Psychologist CAMHS (development post Band 7 to 8a)

We have an exciting opportunity for someone seeking their first post-qualification role.

We have a Band 7 development post with the opportunity for progression to Band 8a within a supported structure. A development plan would support such progression, and upon completion of the required competencies, responsibilities would be adjusted accordingly. Those in the final year of their training are strongly encouraged to apply.

We would also welcome applications from Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists and Counselling Psychologists.

This Band 7 post offers a development pathway to Band 8a, supported by a structured preceptorship and personalised plan. You'll manage a clinical caseload, conduct assessments, risk reviews, and care planning within a multidisciplinary CAMHS Eating Disorder team, following NICE and Maudsley models.

For further details please contact:Tom Hunter - Clinical Pathway Manager - [e-mail] and Selina Horsham - Principal Clinical Psychologist [e-mail]

Main duties of the job

The post holder will deliver up to 15 clinical contacts per week, providing highly specialist psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention for children, young people, and families experiencing moderate to severe and complex mental health difficulties, particularly eating disorders. This includes work with ARFID, AN, BN, and comorbid presentations, using evidence-based models such as CBT-ED, MANTRA, and Maudsley Family Therapy.

You will manage an autonomous caseload, coordinate care plans, complete risk assessments, and contribute to multidisciplinary decision-making. Collaborative work with the wider network and providing consultation to professionals is expected.

Regular supervision, CPD, and developmental opportunities are provided. You'll also support service development, supervise trainees, contribute to research and audit, and play a leadership role within the team. Newly qualified staff will be supported to progress towards Band 8a by taking on ARFID and service development responsibilities as competence grows.

You will also contribute to reflective practice sessions, attend regular team meetings, and be actively involved in service improvement initiatives. Flexibility, enthusiasm, and the ability to build effective therapeutic relationships are essential to this role.

For further details please contact:Tom Hunter - Clinical Pathway Manager - [e-mail] and Selina Horsham - Principal Clinical Psychologist [e-mail]

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning socialenterprise delivering integrated health and social care services acrossPlymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts ofDevon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sportscentres, and health hubs.

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

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

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, trainingpathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the CareCertificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorshipprograms ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

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

Job responsibilities

MAINDUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

a)To provide highly specialist psychologicalassessment and intervention for youngpeople, children and families/carers experiencing moderate, severe andcomplex mental health/psychological problems based upon the appropriate use,interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sourcesincluding psychological and neuropsychological tests, self-report measures,rating scales, direct and indirect observation and semi-structured interviewswith service users, their family and/or carers.

b)To formulate and implement plans for the formalpsychological intervention and/or management of mental health/psychological and/orbehaviours that challenge based upon an appropriate conceptual framework andexercising expert clinical judgement based on the highest standards of evidence-basedpractice across a full range of care settings.

c)To manage an autonomous caseload of children andyoung people who are experiencing highly complex and persistent mental healthdifficulties including exposure to domestic violence and other trauma.

d)To establish rapport and build effectiveworking relationships with service users and all those involved in theirpsychological, emotional, and behavioural well-being.

e)To evaluate and make decisions about treatmentoptions based on psychological formulation, taking into account theoretical andtherapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical anddevelopmental processes.

f)To work jointly with other team members withinthe eating disorder pathway and professionals in delivering the mostappropriate clinical service to youngpeople, children, and families/carers.

g)To contribute to the development and maintenance ofthe highest professional standards of practice, through active participation ininternal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultationwith the Clinical Pathway Manager.

h)To follow appropriate local Safeguarding Adultsand Children policies in all clinical work, including close liaison with allrelevant agencies.

i)To participate in regular review and ongoingdiscussion of cases in treatment with other members of the multi-disciplinaryteam and where appropriate, co-ordinate and organise network meetings withprofessional members of other agencies.

j)To provide highlyspecialist advice, guidance, and consultation to external agencies to assisttheir understanding and analysis of the child / young person and familyscomplex needs, to assist in developing appropriate care pathways.

k) To provide specialist risk assessment of, andintervention to, young people and children who maypresent in local acute settings in line with agreed procedures.

l)To liaise and consult with the widerprofessional network in the care of service users, offering consultation andsupervision where necessary.

m)To exercise autonomous professionalresponsibility for the assessment, treatment, and discharge of children and young people whose problemsare managed by psychological interventions and to autonomously manage acaseload of clients.

n)To contribute directly and indirectly to apsychologically based framework of understanding and care to the benefit of allservice users, the settings in which they present, and agencies involved in thepsychological, emotional, and behavioural well-being.

n)

o)To communicate in a skilled and sensitivemanner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plansof children and youngpeople undertheir care and to effectively evaluate progress.

p)To participate in the multi-disciplinaryassessment and treatment of children and youngpeople.

q)To provide a leadership role workingalongside the eating disorder multidisciplinary team.

r)Developmental progression towards Band 8a the successfulcandidate will take a lead role in supportinginterventions for ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive FoodIntake Disorder).

s)Developmental progression towards Band 8a the successfulcandidate will be expected to participate and lead in the development ofspecialist services both within CAMHS and externally with other agencies.

4. Teaching,Training, Consultation and Supervision

a)To receive regular professional supervisionfrom a Senior HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist and where appropriate,other Senior Clinicians.

b)To continue to access continuing professionaldevelopment opportunities in line with agreed targets and agreed personaldevelopment plan up to one session per week (pro rata).

c)To assist in providing supervision to HCPCregistered Clinical Psychologists, doctoral level Clinical Psychology trainees,trainees from other disciplines as appropriate, and assistant/graduatepsychologists; to ensure that they acquire the necessary skills, competencies,and experience to contribute effectively to good mental health care of childrenand young people; and tocontribute to the assessment and evaluation of such competencies.

d)To contribute to advice, consultation, teaching,and training of professionals from all agencies concerned with thepsychological, emotional, and behavioural well-being of service users incommunity and in-patient settings as appropriate.

5. Research, Audit and Evaluation

a)To use doctoral level research skills for auditand evaluation in relation to relevant aspects of the Service.

b)To contribute to research in the service area.

c)To utilise theory, evidence-based literatureand research to support evidence-based practice of self and others.

d)To provide advice on research projects to otherstaff within the service around appropriate methodology, statistical analysis,etc.

e)To undertake project management as required toaid service development.

f)To follow appropriate ethical and professionalstandards and research governance procedures when conducting relevant research,audit, and evaluation.

6. General

a)To maintain HCPC professional registration andto maintain the highest professional standards of practice, throughprofessional self-governance in accordance with the relevant professional codesof practice and Trust policies and procedures, and active participation ininternal and external CPD training in consultation with the post-holdersprofessional and service managers(s).

b)To adhere to the administrative and auditprotocols of the service. To develop and maintain audit protocols for the service.

c)To regularly attend and participate in teammeetings, away-days and other professional meetings that are appropriate to therole. To attend local and regional groups agreed to be appropriate for therole.

d)To contribute to the development andarticulation of best practice in psychology across the service, by continuingto develop the skills of reflexive and reflective scientist practitioner,taking part in regular professional supervision and appraisal, and maintainingan active engagement with current developments in the fields of clinicalpsychology and related disciplines.

e)To maintain the highest standards of clinicalrecord keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writingand the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance withprofessional codes of practice of the HCPC, British Psychological Society andTrust policies and procedures.

f)To maintain up to date knowledge oflegislation, national and local policies, and issues in relation to serviceusers with mental health issues.

g)The post holder will be required to workflexibly in terms of base and in hours of clinical.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology as accredited by the BPS, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
• Current registration with the HCPC as a Clinical Psychologist .
• Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology

Contractual Requirements or Other Requirements

• Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multimedia materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
• Car owner / driver. Ability to travel between bases and within the community as required for the post

Knowledge Requirements

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological formulation, assessment, intervention, and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate and adapt effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical, and clinically sensitive information to CYP, their families, carers, and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and nonprofessional groups.
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology as practiced within the field of clinical psychology.
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the patient group and mental health.
• Knowledge of clinical caseload management within a team setting .
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS/HCPC.
• Working with people in Crisis
• Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups.
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological therapies and assessment methodologies.
• Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
• Working on an inpatient setting.

Experience

• Experience of working with a wide variety of patient groups.
• Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
• Experience of delivering teaching and training.
• Show respect and treat people with dignity.
• Be able to give unwelcome news sensitively.
• Maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse, and the threat of physical abuse.
• Experience of groupwork
• Working as a qualified clinical psychologist within child & adolescent eating disorders or equivalent.
• Experience working with eating disorder patients and families across the lifespan.
• Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of patient groups, across the life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings including outpatient, community, inpatient, and residential care settings .
• Further specialist training/experience in an evidence-based treatment for eating disorders.
• Experience of supervision of MDT staff.

Personal Qualities

• Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously.
• Ability to embrace change and have capacity to thrive in demanding situations.
• Ability to communicate/listen formally and informally, verbally and in writing.
• Highly reflective, confident, and articulate.
• High reflective capacity on own practice and committed to life-long learning and within supervision.
• Flexible and resourceful in coping under pressure and with conflicting demands.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Willingness to work flexibly.
• Sensitivity to working within a multicultural framework.
• An awareness of own strengths and limitations

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.

Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working