CAMHS Occupational Therapist | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

This is an exciting opportunity to work as an Occupational Therapist in the CAMHS Enhanced Treatment Service, in a Band 5 to 6 development post. The successful candidate would be expected to complete a programme of learning and development over the first 12 months and would be supported to progress into a Band 6 role, following completion of defined competencies and achievement of preceptorship.

This position is open to new graduates who have successfully completed their Occupational Therapy degree. The post holder will work closely alongside the CAMHS Practitioners as part of a multi-disciplinary care team working with young people and families under the care of the CAMHS Enhanced Treatment Service. They will care-coordinate a small caseload of clients with complex needs, using evidence based / client-centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. This will involve both outreach work and work in the ETS day service.

The post holder will be involved in ensuring that care delivered is of the highest quality, being an advocate for the young people and will be skilled at building therapeutic relationships with young people. The post holder will provide Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions for the service. This also includes coordinating and planning the therapeutic group programme alongside support from the MDT.

The post holder will be supported to undertake supervision training to provide leadership for junior staff and students. They will participate in the planning, development and evaluation of OT / MDT services and defined projects, carrying out MDT activities as identified. Following completion of preceptorship and key competencies, the successful applicant would progress to a Band 6 role within the team.

The National & Specialist CAMHS Enhanced Treatment Service (ETS) is a well-established, innovative, and supportive team based at the Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People (PMCYP). The multi-disciplinary service consists of Care Coordinators from a range of professional backgrounds e.g., Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Consultant Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Support workers. The service accepts referrals within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

The aim of the service is to improve the quality of care for young people aged 12-18 by providing a care pathway back to outpatient services for young people who have been admitted as inpatients or to provide an intensive treatment package as an alternative admission for cases where treatment in Tier 3 CAMHS is not viable. We offer both day care and outreach models of intervention. The day service includes a therapeutic group programme as well access to the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School.

Key responsibilities include:

• To provide Occupational Therapy assessment, formulation and intervention for children/young people with mental health difficulties, addressing occupational performance and skill deficits, enabling the client in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure.
• To manage a defined caseload within ETS, agreed with the Team leader/ Head of Occupational Therapy.
• To work collaboratively with children/young people and their family to identify occupational therapy goals as part of the overall team care plan.
• To plan and implement individual and/or group interventions, in collaboration with the client, using graded activity to achieve therapeutic goals.
• To monitor and modify treatment for children/young people and their family with multiple needs to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
• To contribute to and deliver Occupational Therapy led therapeutic group timetable.
• To undertake risk assessments and contribute to risk management plans within the multi-disciplinary team, escalating concerns to senior staff as appropriate.
• To provide psychoeducation to children/young people’s extended support network as appropriate including families and school within own level of competency.
• To participate in clinical supervision, training and preceptorship, maintaining up to date knowledge and skills relevant to occupational therapy practice.

Please view the attached job description for full details of the responsibilities of the band 5 position and expected responsibilities following progression into the band 6 position.