Job summary
Stop, read and apply! If you want be a part of changing the future outcomes for children and young people who present to mental health services. We are giving you the opportunity to work and train to become a CAMH Specialist Practitioner in Child and Adolescent Mental Health through our innovative and comprehensive training programme which includes formal teaching, experiential learning and supervision.
We are seeking applications from Registered Mental Health Nurses, Social workers or Occupational therapists with significant post registration training, who have experience of working in child and adolescent in-patient and/or community services or adult community services.
The Alliance Crisis Service is an evolving service which aims to provide brief interventions and outreach work to children and young people presenting with acute psychological and mental health problems where intensive support is required to prevent admission to Tier 4 Services and to facilitate safe and timely discharges from Tier 4 Services. We also operate a helpline service.Ideally you are someone who has the ability to be creative, flexible, dynamic and have confidence in your ability to problem solve and make decisions.
Main duties of the job
The aim of the programme is to support development of Band 6 CAMH Nurses, CAMHS Social Worker and/or CAMH Occupational Therapists to develop the core knowledge, skills and competencies as set out in the Competence Framework for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which will allow them to progress and practice as Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialists, or Specialist Mental Health Social Worker, or Specialist Occupational Therapists with CAMHS.
The programme will also support the development of Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialists and Specialist Mental Health Practitioners, who have no or limited experience working in CAMHS, but who have transferable training, skills and experience, to build on their existing knowledge and skills to develop the full set of competencies as set out in the Competence Framework for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
The CAMH Practitioner will participate in delivering provision of specialist mental health services to children and young people and their families and carers across the West London NHS Trust 3 Boroughs CAMH Service and crisis pathway.
The role will involve the comprehensive assessment of children and young people with mental health needs (including risk assessment and the development of risk management plans) who present in crisis to CAMH Services, hospitals and sites covered by the Alliance Crisis Care Team.
Details
- Date posted: 04 November 2026
- Closing date: 18 November 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 6
- Salary: £45,953 to £62,652 a year per annum inclusive
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 222-LS-CAMHS-844
- Job locations: Heart of Hounslow Health Centre, 92 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EL, United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or Diploma in Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy with post graduate specialism in mental health.
- Active Professional registration with the NMC
- Mentorship/ teaching and assessing qualification
Desirable
- Specialist therapeutic skills e.g. CBT
- Evidence of accredited courses in child and adolescent mental health practice
- Training in the prevention and management of violence and aggression in children and young people
- Training in family interventions
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable post registration experience of assessment and working within a mental health setting or of working therapeutically with children, adolescents and their families
- Experience of working in a number of ways i.e. assertive outreach, clinic based settings, home, school or other appropriate environments
- Experience of interagency and multidisciplinary working
- Experience of assessing risk and formulating safe and effective risk management plans
- Clinical Supervision / Reflective Practice
- Experience of teaching other professionals
- Experience of management of safeguarding emergencies
Desirable
- Experience of using therapeutic skills, such as CBT, Solution Focused Therapy, Family Work
- Experience of therapeutic work with children and families where abuse or neglect has occurred
- Experience of audit and/or research
- Experience of contributing to and implementing new service developments
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of legislation relevant to the Children's Act 2004, Mental Health Act 1983 & Safeguarding Guidelines
- A sound working knowledge and application of relevant professional code, i.e. professional Code of Practice
- Knowledge of the legal issues relating to consent and capacity in children and young people.
- An awareness and understanding of the issues facing, children, adolescents and their families
- Knowledge of the Care Plan Approach
- Skills in communicating with children, adolescents and their families or carers
Desirable
- Knowledge of the various assessment tools used in CAMHS
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).
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Employer details
- Employer name: West London NHS Trust
- Address: Heart of Hounslow Health Centre, 92 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EL, United Kingdom
- Employer's website: https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk