Principal Specialist CAMHS Practitioner

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a mental health clinician to join their CAMHS Team. This role focuses on delivering specialist assessments and therapeutic interventions for children and families. Required qualifications include doctoral training in clinical psychology and relevant professional registration. The position supports collaborative care through multidisciplinary teamwork and contributes to service development within a trauma-informed framework. A fixed-term contract offers a competitive salary and part-time flexibility.

Qualifications

• Doctoral level training in clinical psychology completed.
• Specialist training relevant to Child & Adolescent Mental Health.
• Registration with relevant professional body.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist assessment and evidence-based interventions for children.
• Manage a defined clinical caseload and conduct risk assessments.
• Lead multi-agency meetings for coordinated care planning.

Skills

Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge

Ability to assess and evaluate care plans

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Experience with delivering training and presentations

Education

Doctoral level training in clinical psychology

Child psychotherapy training

Family Therapy training

Job description

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a mental health clinician with specialist training and experience, and an interest in trauma and multi-agency working, to join the CAMHS Team at The Lighthouse.

The post is open to qualified and professionally registered clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds; including (but not limited to) Clinical Psychology, Child Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Nursing and Occupational Therapy.

This post is fixed-term until 31st March 2027, due to current funding, and could be an ideal secondment opportunity. It will focus on supporting the delivery of multi-disciplinary assessments, individual and group therapeutic interventions for children and carers, and wider network engagement through consultations and training to professionals. There will be opportunities for the post to support and co-lead the development and delivery of participation work and research within the service.

The post holder will be supported throughout their induction and professional development. Regular clinical supervision in your discipline will be provided, as well as reflective group practice. There will be opportunities to make professional links with the UCLH Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Medicine and local CAMHS teams. The Lighthouse is also part of the PROMISE network of Barnahus services, with unique opportunities for national and international engagements with peer services.

Main Duties

• Deliver specialist assessment and evidence-based therapeutic interventions for children, young people and families referred to The Lighthouse, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Hold and manage a defined clinical caseload, providing individual and group-based interventions, conducting risk assessments, and developing collaborative safety plans.
• Offer clinical consultation and advice to professionals across social care, education and CAMHS, supporting high-quality, trauma-informed practice across the wider system.
• Lead and contribute to multi-agency meetings, including MDTs and professional network discussions, ensuring coordinated and effective care planning.
• Deliver supervision to trainees, contribute to staff development, and support training for internal and external partners.
• Work closely with Lighthouse colleagues including Social Workers, Paediatricians, Police and Advocates, promoting integrated safeguarding practice.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and clinical governance activity within The Lighthouse, supporting the ongoing enhancement of trauma-informed care.
• Promote the mental health and wellbeing of young people and families through therapeutic engagement, psychoeducation and effective multi-agency collaboration.

About The Lighthouse

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services across eight sites and are committed to sustainability, aiming for a carbon net zero health service by 2031 and 2040.

Qualifications and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS; relevant HCPC registration; or Child psychotherapy training and BACP registration; or Family Therapy training (masters level) and UKCP registration; or equivalent psychological therapies qualification and professional registration.
• Specialist training in subject/skills relevant to Child & and Adolescent Mental Health (0-18 years).
• Relevant NMC/HCPC registration; CYP IAPT Dip in CBT/SFP/IPT-A and/or relevant post‑graduate study in child and adolescent mental health and/or training in specialist therapy relevant to supporting children therapeutically following sexual abuse.
• Registration with relevant Professional body.
• Further post‑graduate training in specialist therapeutic modality/approach relevant to supporting children therapeutically with trauma or following sexual abuse.

Experience

• Significant post qualifying experience in a setting where children's mental health is the primary focus, or equivalent development of competencies via relevant experience gained.
• Experience of working with children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect.
• Experience of supporting parents, carers and families through individual, family and/or group-based interventions.
• Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Experience of providing clinical consultation and clinical supervision.
• Experience of delivering training and teaching.
• Experience on developing co‑production and participation projects with service users.

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices, and specialist knowledge over more than one discipline/function acquired over a significant period.
• Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care plans to meet the needs of clients, based on clinical assessment and formulation.
• Ability to work to standards for quality and Lighthouse policies and procedures.
• Ability to work as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team and demonstrate awareness of MDT functioning.
• Ability to maintain and manage own caseload and work autonomously within the specialist area.
• Knowledge of relevant psychological theory and evidence‑based practice.
• Knowledge of theory and practice of clinical supervision.
• Willingness and ability to develop specialist knowledge of clinical aspects of child & adolescent mental health.
• Leadership skills in clinical practice and contributing to service development.
• Culturally competent practice knowledge and skills.
• Ability to recognise own limits and seek support for supervision as appropriate.
• Ability to supervise, teach and develop the skills of clinical trainees and junior staff as appropriate.
• Ability to analyse risk and respond appropriately, seeking support as necessary.
• Computer skills to enable input of relevant data and typing of summaries and reports.

Values

• Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving.

Communication

• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills & demonstrable ability to work with others.
• Experience with delivering training and presentations to a range of audiences.

Personal and People Development

• Experience in managing or supervising trainees or qualified staff.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties.

Employment Details

• Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
• Band: Band 8a
• Salary: £64,156 to £71,148 a year (inclusive of HCAS pro rata)
• Contract: Fixed term (duration 15 months, part‑time)
• Date posted: 22 December 2025
• Reference number: 309-UCLH-7240

Additional Information

• 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.
• This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires Disclosure and Barring Service checks.