Senior Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Smethwick; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health service provider in Smethwick is looking for a Psychotherapist to provide specialist assessment and treatment for children and young adults with severe mental health issues. The position involves a high level of clinical assessment, case management, and consultation with multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have professional psychotherapy qualifications and experience in mental health services. The role supports ongoing professional development and contributes to service evaluation and governance.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing psychotherapeutic interventions.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
• Ability to contribute to the development of practice through research.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychotherapeutic assessments and interventions for children and young adults.
• Maintain accurate case notes and care plans.
• Support audit and research within the service.
• Contribute to the evaluation and development of the Psychotherapy Service.

Skills

Psychotherapeutic assessment

Case management

Consultation

Data entry and record keeping

Education

Professional qualifications in psychotherapy

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. This role offers a psychoanalytic perspective to the 0-25 community team, providing specialist psychotherapy assessment, treatment and formulation for children, adolescents and young adults with severe, complex and persistent mental health problems, as well as carers and families. The post is based on professional guidelines and Trust policies and procedures and requires an autonomous working style.

Please see the attached Job Description for further information.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychotherapeutic assessment, consultation and intervention for CYPYAF based on clinical knowledge and expertise.
• Deliver interventions using applied psychotherapeutic methods and a range of extended core skills appropriate to the agreed care plan.
• Provide expert high‑quality clinical assessment and written or verbal formulation, contributing to a coherent care plan.
• Deliver psychotherapeutic interventions using appropriate therapeutic models as part of an agreed care plan to children, young people and young adults with complex and multiple problems.
• Perform effective and proactive case management, including ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment and safe management of clinical risk, including suicidality and safeguarding issues, in accordance with Trust policies and sound clinical judgement.
• Provide high‑quality consultation and advice to the multidisciplinary team and to a range of professionals working in targeted and universal settings, as directed.
• Provide consultancy/advisory services in respect of psychotherapy treatments to other staff within the service and to other agencies.
• Maintain appropriate case notes, care plans and correspondence in line with service and Trust policies and procedures; maintain an accurate, up‑to‑date diary of activities in Outlook and enter all appropriate data on to the Electronic Patient Record in a timely manner.
• Provide specialist assessment reports as required.
• Carry out joint work with colleagues as required, contributing to other forms of treatment such as family therapy and group work.

Research, Audit & Governance

• Support and undertake audit and research within the service in line with governance frameworks.
• Utilise theory, literature and research to support evidence‑based practice in individual work and in collaboration with other members of the service, division and Trust.
• Communicate research findings through reports and presentations.
• Maintain a coherent approach to Clinical Governance within the post‑holder’s designated areas of responsibility and contribute to its provision within the department.
• Report clinical incidents in line with policies and procedures.
• Participate in any clinical audit or quality management process agreed within the service.
• Maintain high standards of clinical record keeping, including electronic data entry, reporting and robust information governance.

Teaching, Training & Supervision

• Contribute to specialist training of other professionals working within the client group and related agencies.
• Contribute to reflective practice groups within the service.
• Contribute to the clinical supervision of staff if required.

Service Evaluation & Development

• Contribute to the evaluation, monitoring and development of the Psychotherapy Service and the multi‑disciplinary community team.

Continued Professional Development

• Enhance and develop appropriate skills through regular supervision from a more senior Psychotherapist in line with good practice guidelines.
• Ensure continued professional development and maintain a record of CPD activities in accordance with the Association of Child Psychotherapists code of practice.
• Participate in annual appraisal in line with Trust guidance.

This advert closes on Monday 5 Jan 2026.