Psychology Practitioner – CAMHS Early Years' Service

NHS; Stafford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Stafford seeks a Psychology Practitioner to provide specialized emotional well-being services for preschool children. This role involves complex assessments and interventions in various settings, working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team. Ideal candidates will have post-graduate qualifications in psychology and experience with children. The position offers opportunities for professional development and community-focused service delivery.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Ongoing training and support

Qualifications

• Post-graduate qualification in relevant core CAMHS mental health training.
• Registered with the HCPC or ACP depending on professional qualification.
• Experience working therapeutically with children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized emotional well-being services for pre-school children.
• Conduct complex assessments and deliver effective psychological interventions.
• Work in various settings, including home visits and clinics.

Skills

High level knowledge of psychological theory and practice

Skills in complex psychological assessment and management

Ability to provide treatment within multiple psychological therapy models

Knowledge of self-harm and safeguarding risk assessment

Education

Post-graduate doctoral level training in psychology

Registered with HCPC or ACP

Completion of clinical psychology supervision training

Job description

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Psychology Practitioner – CAMHS Early Years' Service

Closing date is 07 December 2025

Psychological Professional - Clinical Psychologist/Counselling Psychologist/Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

We would like to welcome additional Psychological Professionals to be part of our CAMHS Early Years' Service, working within an established team.

We have a Psychological Professional post available based in Stafford with an opportunity to work across South Staffordshire. The post is advertised at Band 8a, but we are able to accept applications from newly qualified Psychological Professional seeking a Band 7‑8a development post. Newly qualifying staff enter our two‑year development programme.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Passionate about working with preschool children & their families seen in our community CAMHS Early Years' Service.
• Collaborative in their approach to working with young children, their families & the networks around them.
• Excited about the opportunity to contribute to service developments.
• Keen to maximise what psychologists/psychotherapists can deliver whilst also working with, & recognising the strengths of, the multi‑disciplinary team.
• Able to provide child specialty placements to Staffordshire University Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Course or trainee Child & Adolescent Psychotherapists (staff working at 8a only).

For a further discussion or to arrange an informal visit to the team, please contact Lisa Graham, Principal Clinical Psychologist for CAMHS Early Years' Service on 01785 221160.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for the provision of a specialised emotional well‑being service for pre‑school children presenting with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The role will incorporate complex assessments leading to psychological formulations and the delivery of effective interventions to this population. There will be ample opportunity to offer consultation and psychological formulation support and advice to the team and wider network.

CAMHS Early Years' staff need to be able to work in a range of settings, including home visits, nurseries and clinic settings as well as attending meetings at different sites. The ability to travel across South Staffordshire is required.

About us

Come and work with us at our award‑winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke‑on‑Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non‑clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities

Before applying for this exciting and challenging role, we encourage applicants to view and read the job and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Post‑graduate doctoral level training in clinical / counselling psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology. OR Post‑graduate qualification in relevant core CAMHS mental health/social welfare professional training and/or substantial CAMHS experience prior to completion of an ACP recognised post‑graduate pre‑clinical course prior to completing a recognised advanced and highly specialist training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at a clinical doctorate level or equivalent and conferring eligibility for full membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists.
• Registered with the HCPC or ACP depending on professional qualification.
• Completion of STAR (or equivalent) Clinical Psychology supervision training.
• Registration with other professional bodies as relevant e.g. registration with BPS as a chartered psychologist.
• Further training in a specific psychological model / interventions specific to the role remit/area of work.

Experience

• Experience of working therapeutically with children and young people with significant emotional or mental health difficulties, and their families/carers.
• Experience of leading and contributing to the development of services.
• Experience of providing specialist psychological assessment and intervention across a full range of settings.
• Experience of consultation with professionals from both within the Health Service and Partner Agencies.
• Experience of teaching, training and supervision.
• Experience of group work, particularly parenting programmes.
• Experience of conducting research and/or audit in clinical settings.
• Experience of work with pre‑school children.

Skills

• High level knowledge of psychological theory and practice. Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management.
• An ability to formulate and provide treatment within at least two models of psychological therapy and the experience and a working knowledge of at least one other approach to psychological intervention.
• Ability and knowledge relating to self‑harm and safeguarding related risk assessment and care‑planning.
• Completion of formal training or courses in conducting specialist psychological assessments (incl. risk assessment and risk management).

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.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

CAMHS – Early Years' Service

The Bridge, St George's Parkway, off Crooked Bridge Road