CAMHS Clinical Specialist

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South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust CAMHS Clinical Specialist

The closing date is 17 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

o We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated CAMHS Clinical Specialist who is keen to work mainly with children and adolescents in care or who have been adopted and with their carers/parents. We are looking for a clinician who is confident working with primary-aged children and adolescents, specifically managing the risk associated with adolescents in mental health crisis.

o Carelink is a specialist Tier 3 CAMHS, closely linked to our partnership agencies, offering a holistic service to our children and young people (0-18 years), to assist with their emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties. You will be working within a supportive multi-disciplinary team which puts an emphasis on offering treatment and interventions. The team is made up of Child Psychotherapists and is psychotherapy led (we have a group of child psychotherapy trainees on long term placements); Psychologists; Mental Health nurses; Drama therapist; Art psychotherapist; Play therapist. We have Psychiatry input. Within the team, we have previously had a Systemic/Family Therapist, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists.

o There is good opportunity to learn from others as we run a specialist assessment clinic weekly - with clinicians working together as a team (we use observers using a one-way screen).

Main duties of the job

o The post-holder will undertake comprehensive CAMHS assessments of children and young people up to age 18 and make recommendations for treatment.

o The post-holder will have a therapeutic caseload, offering therapy to children in care or adopted children with complex needs including experiences of trauma connected to histories of maltreatment and attachment difficulties. You will also be working the parents/carers offering them support and guidance. You will have the ability to deliver a range of interventions for children and young people.

o Close working relationships with members of the team and our partnership agencies will be essential e.g. Social Services, Child Health, Education and Virtual School.

o Applicants must be able to work independently and have good clinical/therapeutic and case management knowledge and skills.

o The post-holder may take on clinical supervision for other team members.

About us

SLaM is committed to ensuring staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family.

SLaM wants you to feel like you are part of a close knit team. It's important to us that you are val-ued and appreciated and that's why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer

Highlights include:o Generous pay, pensions and leave. SLaM offers a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on role and length of service.o Work-life balance. SLaM offers flexible working and supports part-time working and job sharing.o Career development. SLaM provides plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent pro-grammes.o Car lease. SLaM staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars.o Accommodation. SLaM staff benefits from keyworker housing, available on selected sites.o NHS discounts. SLaM staff are eligible for discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though health service discount websites.

Other benefits include:o Counselling services.o Wellbeing events.o Long service awards.o Cycle to work scheme.o Season ticket loan.o Childcare vouchers.o Staff restaurants.

Details

Date posted

03 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£51,488 to £57,802 a year per annum incl. of HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

334-CLI-8144709

Job locations

Lister Primary Care Centre

101 Peckham Rd

London

SE15 5LJ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description

Key Responsibilities:

CAMHS Specialist responsibilities to the Team1. With senior colleagues, evaluate and review the therapeutic strategic outcomes for the team and set aims and objectives and the monitor practice to assure quality standards of care.2. Share day to day responsibility for the quality of delivery of clinical care with the team leader, consultant staff and other colleagues. Supervise case work across the team and contribute on the clinical performance of team members at appraisal.3. Establish and maintain evidence-based practice in the assessment and treatment of young people in crisis or needing intensive and/or crisis intervention.4. Support the team manager in recommending the allocation of clinical work and operating an agreed system of caseload management. Provide clinical supervision to members of the team, which would include assisting them in planning their workload and in revising their care plans for individual patients.5. Manage day to day clinical risks and clinically advise team members on courses of action. Ensure that team members follow systems of safe practice and that operational policies are adhered to.

6. Ensure that all recording and reporting of client contact is accurate, up to date and of good quality and within CAMHS, SLAM & professional requirement standards of record keeping. Ensure that data and clinical information individual on clinical activity is collected and entered onto ePJS by all team members.7. Contribute to the effective functioning of the team and service through chairing/leading relevant meetings, taking responsibilities within the clinical service as appropriate and negotiated with the team leader.8. Take a clear role in the induction new team members. Ensure that conditions of service and HR procedures are followed within the Team. Carry out line management supervision and minimum of annual appraisals in place for all team members as requested.9. Ensure that the staff and service take account of service user views in their day to day practice and are respectful of diversity.10. Implement new service protocols or service interventions based on experience, audit and development and advise the wider service on these.11. Assure prompt recruitment to vacancies and the induction of new staff to all posts within the team, according to relevant procedures.

12. Ensure that conditions of service and HR procedures are followed within the Team, including monitoring of annual leave, staff activity, and take prompt action regarding concerns in staff performance in conjunction with the Section manager. Provide clinical supervision and or appraisal to junior members of the team, which would include assisting others in planning their workload. Undertake staff appraisals.13. Monitor and improve the standard of service delivery of the team via through the implementation of clinical governance procedures such as audit and the development of protocols. Introducing new clinical practices based on research evidence and other evaluation work with the agreement of the Team Manager, Clinical Colleagues, Lead Clinician and Service manager.14. Ensure that the team is a good quality learning environment for CAMHS trainees.15. Oversee trainee placements and offering supervision and mentorship as appropriate16. Attend and represent CAMHS at meetings relating to the work of child and adolescent mental health services as appropriate within and outside the service.17. Ensure that any legislation and statutory requirements are complied with and implemented throughout the team/section.18. Deputise for the Team Leader or other Clinical Specialists/Consultants in case supervision, assessment and review clinics during periods of Annual leave or sickness and regularly deputise on extra agreed duties within your team/section.

Clinical Individual1. Assume responsibility for own case list and case management of children, adolescents and families who are determined to be at high risk.2. Provide primary CAMHS assessments, other specialist assessments and risk assessments to identify and diagnose the cause of emotional and behavioural problems in children and young people.3. Formulate care plans, based on the primary CAMHS assessment. Design, write and share a copy of the care plan with children, young people and their carers.4. Carry out the care plan using evidence-based models of psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions.5. Participate and lead in joint complex assessments with other disciplines and other agencies and provide reports for referrers, families and other agencies as required, including 'witness of fact' court reports where appropriate.6. Assess safeguarding issues for each case and refer concerns to Child Protection teams.7. Maintain good relationships and clear lines of communication with other professional agencies and departments, providing specialist advice and support where appropriate.Professional Conduct, Teaching, Training and Research1. Undertake all duties in line with the applicable Code of Professional Conduct, policies and guidelines.2. Work in accordance and within the principles/guidelines of all aspects of clinical governance.3. Make effective use of colleagues in sharing and participating in casework supervision and be able to seek clinical supervision when required.4. Remain up to date with changing practices and wherever possible make full use of all training and educational facilities. Identify development and training needs with manager in accordance with Trust/Directorate.5. Maintain and ensure good professional standards and attitudes towards the care and treatment of clients. Maintain good relationships and clear lines of communication with other professionals, agencies and departments, providing specialist advice and support where appropriate.6. Join colleagues in specialist teaching, consultation /support to other professionals and agencies.7. Undertake and promote research-based practices and use that knowledge in your everyday practice, sharing it with others in the team. Participate in the monitoring, evaluation and the audit of the service.8. Participate in and support larger research projects being undertaken in the Directorates by senior researchers. Contribute to the development of outcome measures by accurately recording and ensuring that others accurately record pre and post treatment measures.9. Will have responsibility for assuring the quality of clinical practice in the treatment of high risk cases in the CAMHS team.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description

Key Responsibilities:

CAMHS Specialist responsibilities to the Team1. With senior colleagues, evaluate and review the therapeutic strategic outcomes for the team and set aims and objectives and the monitor practice to assure quality standards of care.2. Share day to day responsibility for the quality of delivery of clinical care with the team leader, consultant staff and other colleagues. Supervise case work across the team and contribute on the clinical performance of team members at appraisal.3. Establish and maintain evidence-based practice in the assessment and treatment of young people in crisis or needing intensive and/or crisis intervention.4. Support the team manager in recommending the allocation of clinical work and operating an agreed system of caseload management. Provide clinical supervision to members of the team, which would include assisting them in planning their workload and in revising their care plans for individual patients.5. Manage day to day clinical risks and clinically advise team members on courses of action. Ensure that team members follow systems of safe practice and that operational policies are adhered to.

6. Ensure that all recording and reporting of client contact is accurate, up to date and of good quality and within CAMHS, SLAM & professional requirement standards of record keeping. Ensure that data and clinical information individual on clinical activity is collected and entered onto ePJS by all team members.7. Contribute to the effective functioning of the team and service through chairing/leading relevant meetings, taking responsibilities within the clinical service as appropriate and negotiated with the team leader.8. Take a clear role in the induction new team members. Ensure that conditions of service and HR procedures are followed within the Team. Carry out line management supervision and minimum of annual appraisals in place for all team members as requested.9. Ensure that the staff and service take account of service user views in their day to day practice and are respectful of diversity.10. Implement new service protocols or service interventions based on experience, audit and development and advise the wider service on these.11. Assure prompt recruitment to vacancies and the induction of new staff to all posts within the team, according to relevant procedures.

12. Ensure that conditions of service and HR procedures are followed within the Team, including monitoring of annual leave, staff activity, and take prompt action regarding concerns in staff performance in conjunction with the Section manager. Provide clinical supervision and or appraisal to junior members of the team, which would include assisting others in planning their workload. Undertake staff appraisals.13. Monitor and improve the standard of service delivery of the team via through the implementation of clinical governance procedures such as audit and the development of protocols. Introducing new clinical practices based on research evidence and other evaluation work with the agreement of the Team Manager, Clinical Colleagues, Lead Clinician and Service manager.14. Ensure that the team is a good quality learning environment for CAMHS trainees.15. Oversee trainee placements and offering supervision and mentorship as appropriate16. Attend and represent CAMHS at meetings relating to the work of child and adolescent mental health services as appropriate within and outside the service.17. Ensure that any legislation and statutory requirements are complied with and implemented throughout the team/section.18. Deputise for the Team Leader or other Clinical Specialists/Consultants in case supervision, assessment and review clinics during periods of Annual leave or sickness and regularly deputise on extra agreed duties within your team/section.

Clinical Individual1. Assume responsibility for own case list and case management of children, adolescents and families who are determined to be at high risk.2. Provide primary CAMHS assessments, other specialist assessments and risk assessments to identify and diagnose the cause of emotional and behavioural problems in children and young people.3. Formulate care plans, based on the primary CAMHS assessment. Design, write and share a copy of the care plan with children, young people and their carers.4. Carry out the care plan using evidence-based models of psychological and psychotherapeutic interventions.5. Participate and lead in joint complex assessments with other disciplines and other agencies and provide reports for referrers, families and other agencies as required, including 'witness of fact' court reports where appropriate.6. Assess safeguarding issues for each case and refer concerns to Child Protection teams.7. Maintain good relationships and clear lines of communication with other professional agencies and departments, providing specialist advice and support where appropriate.Professional Conduct, Teaching, Training and Research1. Undertake all duties in line with the applicable Code of Professional Conduct, policies and guidelines.2. Work in accordance and within the principles/guidelines of all aspects of clinical governance.3. Make effective use of colleagues in sharing and participating in casework supervision and be able to seek clinical supervision when required.4. Remain up to date with changing practices and wherever possible make full use of all training and educational facilities. Identify development and training needs with manager in accordance with Trust/Directorate.5. Maintain and ensure good professional standards and attitudes towards the care and treatment of clients. Maintain good relationships and clear lines of communication with other professionals, agencies and departments, providing specialist advice and support where appropriate.6. Join colleagues in specialist teaching, consultation /support to other professionals and agencies.7. Undertake and promote research-based practices and use that knowledge in your everyday practice, sharing it with others in the team. Participate in the monitoring, evaluation and the audit of the service.8. Participate in and support larger research projects being undertaken in the Directorates by senior researchers. Contribute to the development of outcome measures by accurately recording and ensuring that others accurately record pre and post treatment measures.9. Will have responsibility for assuring the quality of clinical practice in the treatment of high risk cases in the CAMHS team.

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

• First level nursing qualification/registration RMN or RSCN or HV or Doctorate level qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology or First level qualification in OT, social work, or equivalent or First level qualification in art, play or drama therapy, family therapy or other psychotherapy with related experience in the psychological aspects of caring for children and adolescent with mental health problems/needs, developmental/ learning disability problems. All applicants will require a professional training and relevant CAMHS experience in combination with professional registration with one of the following statutory bodies: the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) , Health Professional's Council (HPC/ HCPC), Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), Social Work England, the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), the BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council) or the BPS (British Psychological Society).

Desirable

• Training in clinical supervision such as ENB 998 or mentorship and or equivalent experience and training.
• Doctorate or MSc associated with CAMHS or equivalent strong portfolio of clinical professional development.

Knowledge

Essential

• Mental health disorders in children and adolescents
• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the general evidence base for treatment in child and adolescent mental health
• The Children Act 1989, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental capacity Act 2005 and safeguarding children legislation.
• The principles underlying confidentiality and information sharing.

Desirable

• Relevant research and its application to assessment, treatment and case management of CAMH disorders.
• The principles of clinical governance and CAMHS practice

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team as a specialist practitioner in a mental health setting.
• Experience of undertaking crisis mental health assessments.
• Evidence of experience of clinical governance and audit and the process of clinical supervision.

Desirable

• Working with families in a multi-racial urban environment.
• Experience of working as a case manager in child and adolescent mental health.
• Evidence of providing CAMHS interventions ie group, individual or family work and multidisciplinary work.
• Experience of supervising others.

Skills

Essential

• Good written and verbal presentation skills
• Basic IT and data entry skills
• Proven ability to be 'reflective' in therapeutic practice and adapt practice from this reflection
• Demonstrate an ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and with partner agencies.
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills to deliver targets and meet deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure
• Assessment of risk and management of risk factors
• Ability to take on new concepts/forward thinking
• Proven ability to engage therapeutically with the client group, using a range of therapeutic interventions.
• Skill in teaching and supporting parents in coping and management strategies.
• Ability to provide care that is sensitive to the needs of minority ethnic groups
• Prompt and accurate recording on to electronic notes system and an understanding of the need for this

Desirable

• Professional leadership skills

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

• First level nursing qualification/registration RMN or RSCN or HV or Doctorate level qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology or First level qualification in OT, social work, or equivalent or First level qualification in art, play or drama therapy, family therapy or other psychotherapy with related experience in the psychological aspects of caring for children and adolescent with mental health problems/needs, developmental/ learning disability problems. All applicants will require a professional training and relevant CAMHS experience in combination with professional registration with one of the following statutory bodies: the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) , Health Professional's Council (HPC/ HCPC), Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), Social Work England, the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), the BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council) or the BPS (British Psychological Society).

Desirable

• Training in clinical supervision such as ENB 998 or mentorship and or equivalent experience and training.
• Doctorate or MSc associated with CAMHS or equivalent strong portfolio of clinical professional development.

Knowledge

Essential

• Mental health disorders in children and adolescents
• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the general evidence base for treatment in child and adolescent mental health
• The Children Act 1989, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental capacity Act 2005 and safeguarding children legislation.
• The principles underlying confidentiality and information sharing.

Desirable

• Relevant research and its application to assessment, treatment and case management of CAMH disorders.
• The principles of clinical governance and CAMHS practice

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team as a specialist practitioner in a mental health setting.
• Experience of undertaking crisis mental health assessments.
• Evidence of experience of clinical governance and audit and the process of clinical supervision.

Desirable

• Working with families in a multi-racial urban environment.
• Experience of working as a case manager in child and adolescent mental health.
• Evidence of providing CAMHS interventions ie group, individual or family work and multidisciplinary work.
• Experience of supervising others.

Skills

Essential

• Good written and verbal presentation skills
• Basic IT and data entry skills
• Proven ability to be 'reflective' in therapeutic practice and adapt practice from this reflection
• Demonstrate an ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and with partner agencies.
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills to deliver targets and meet deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure
• Assessment of risk and management of risk factors
• Ability to take on new concepts/forward thinking
• Proven ability to engage therapeutically with the client group, using a range of therapeutic interventions.
• Skill in teaching and supporting parents in coping and management strategies.
• Ability to provide care that is sensitive to the needs of minority ethnic groups
• Prompt and accurate recording on to electronic notes system and an understanding of the need for this

Desirable

• Professional leadership 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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Lister Primary Care Centre

101 Peckham Rd

London

SE15 5LJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Lister Primary Care Centre

101 Peckham Rd

London

SE15 5LJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Carelink Team Lead

Amy Penfold

[email protected]

07701261565

Details

Date posted

03 November 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£51,488 to £57,802 a year per annum incl. of HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

334-CLI-8144709

Job locations

Lister Primary Care Centre

101 Peckham Rd

London

SE15 5LJ

United Kingdom

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