CAMHS Practitioner


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£47,951 to £56,863 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London, SE5 8AZ
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	29 Sept 2026
Closing date:	12 Oct 2026

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Summary

The post holder will work as a key member of the Southwark CAMHS Referrals Team, providing specialist mental health screening, assessment, risk management, and care pathway recommendations for children and young people referred to the service. The role requires effective multidisciplinary working, sound clinical judgement, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, child-centred care. Clinicalresponsibilities Conduct initial psychosocial assessments with children, young people, and their families toidentifypresenting difficulties, strengths, needs, and goals. Undertake comprehensive risk assessments, including assessment of self-harm, suicide risk, risk to others, exploitation, neglect, and safeguarding concerns. Develop and agree contingency and safety plans with children, young people, and their families whereappropriate, ensuring risks are managed effectively. Make recommendationsregardingthe mostappropriate carepathway based on assessment findings and service eligibility criteria. Provide brief interventions, psychoeducation, support, and advice to children, young people, families, and professionals asrequired. Redirect, signpost, or refer children and young people to alternative services where specialist CAMHS intervention is notindicated. Ensure that assessments and interventions are deliveredin accordance withevidence-based practice and Trust policies. Care planning andservicedelivery Work collaboratively with children, young people, carers, line managers, supervisors, and multidisciplinary team members in assessing needs, planning care, and implementing interventions. Take responsibility for the delivery and coordination of care withinan allocatedarea of responsibility. Maintain a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for children, young people, and families accessing the service. Monitor clinical progress and contribute to decisionsregardingtreatment, referral onwards, or discharge. Promote the active involvement of children, young people, and families in care planning and decision-making. Multidisciplinary and partnership working Work closely with colleagues within the Referrals Team and wider CAMHS multidisciplinary teams to ensureappropriate clinicaldecision-making and allocation of referrals. Liaise effectively with external agencies, including schools, GPs, paediatric services, social care teams, youth services, voluntary sector organisations, and acute hospitals. Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, clinical decision meetings, safeguarding meetings, network meetings, and other relevant forums. Provide specialist mental health consultation and advice to professionals involved in the care of children and young people. Professional responsibilities Maintainaccurate, contemporaneous, and legally compliant clinical records and documentation. Participate in regular clinical, professional, and management supervision. Support the learning and development of junior staff, students, trainees, and newly qualified practitioners asappropriate. Contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, audits, and implementation of best practice. Workin accordance withprofessional codes of conduct, Trust policies, and national guidance. Knowledge and experience The successful candidate willdemonstratea good working knowledge of: Mental health disorders in children and adolescents, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, trauma-related difficulties, eating disorders, and behavioural difficulties. Child development and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on emotional wellbeing and mental health. The difficulties commonly experienced by Looked After Children, including attachment difficulties, developmental trauma, loss, separation, and placement instability. Safeguarding children and young people, including recognition and management of risk. Local care pathways and services available to children, young people, and families. Legislative and policy knowledge Applicants must have a sound understanding of relevant legislation and policy, including: The Children Act 1989 and 2004 The Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended) The Human Rights Act 1998 The Mental Capacity Act 2005 Children and young people's safeguarding frameworks and statutory guidance Relevant NHS, Trust, and professional standards governing CAMHS practice Qualifications and professional registration Applicants mustpossessa recognised professional qualification and substantial CAMHS experience, together with current registration with one of the following professional bodies: Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, resilient, and highly motivated practitioner with the ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary team, ensuring children and young people receive the right support at the right time.

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