Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

The role of the consultant is to provide psychiatric assessment and treatment where appropriate, contribute a psychiatric perspective, provide senior clinical leadership to the multidisciplinary team, offer consultation to other professionals and agencies and facilitate the development of the team and wider service.

In particular, the Consultant Psychiatrist will provide clinical input to psychiatric and crisis assessments, medication reviews, risk assessments and management as well as consultation to the multidisciplinary team. The Neurodevelopmental Pathway provides gold standard assessments for Autism Spectrum Conditions and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders as well as related disorders. Approximately 70% of children and young people with a neurodevelopmental condition such as ASC will have an additional disorder, such as ADHD, Tourettes Syndrome, anxiety, depression and OCD as well as unique learning profiles.

The team are focused on delivering evidence-based care in an effective and accessible pathway. The Neurodevelopmental Pathway comprises a range of CAMHS disciplines including clinical psychology, family therapy, nursing (including nurse prescribers) and child and adolescent psychotherapy. Assessments are completed as a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) using standardised assessment tools.

The post holder will help to lead the ADHD and Autism Assessment Clinics at Specialist CAMHS where young people may present with additional mental health difficulties. The post holder will have a caseload of approximately 40 cases plus contribute ADHD and ASC assessments. The post-holder's caseload includes prescribing and follow up for comorbid mental health conditions in cases held jointly in the MDT or jointly with other pathways within the service. High risk cases are managed by the Adolescent Mental Health Team if appropriate.

There is a strong emphasis on psycho-education following assessment with regular parent groups post-ASD and ADHD diagnosis, improving access to good quality information. Where there are additional difficulties that warrant ongoing treatment in CAMHS, care plans are formulated with the MDT and wider service. The post-holder will be expected to provide psychiatric input and interventions alongside MDT colleagues where appropriate.

The post holder will be expected to liaise with families, schools and other agencies while taking opportunities to increase awareness of autism, ADHD and related disorders and how to support young people in the relevant environments. The post holder will also have a role in providing consultation and expertise to the wider MDT within Specialist CAMHS about young people with autism, ADHD and related disorders.

While primarily responsible for delivering a quality clinical service, the post holder is expected to be actively involved in the clinical governance and strategic development of the team alongside the CTL. The post-holder would be expected to provide Consultant input into the general Assessment Clinic once monthly.

The consultant will be joining a team of 5 other Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrists (3.8 WTE) in City & Hackney Specialist CAMHS and CAMHS Disability Service. There is one Foundation doctor, 2 Psychiatric Core Trainees and 2 Specialty Training posts in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry attached to C&H Specialist CAMHS. The post benefits from access to general administrative support from the clinical support team, but additionally there is specific administrative support to the NDT pathway, to assist with case load management and organization of clinic appointments.