At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide innovative support to young people with complex needs in their communities.
- Company: Join a pioneering service within Newham Council focused on youth mental health.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible employment options, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality and community representation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vulnerable young lives while shaping future care models.
- Qualifications: Must be an experienced Occupational Therapist with knowledge of CAMHS and trauma-informed practice.
The predicted salary is between 47810 - 54710 £ per year.
Starting Salary: £54,267 (Band 7 AfC Outer London Weighting) NHS Secondment: 12 months with the likely potential of extension.
We are seeking a passionate Occupational Therapist to join an innovative Intensive Community Support Service in Newham. This nationally recognised pilot has been developed by the North East London CAMHS Provider Collaborative and Local Authority partners to address one of the most urgent challenges in youth mental health: supporting young people with complex needs to remain safely within their families, communities and local placements. The service responds directly to longstanding system challenges, including fragmented care, delayed hospital discharges and avoidable Tier 4 admissions. With more than 3,000 discharge delay days recorded locally in a single year, this pilot represents a major investment in improving outcomes for young people.
Flexible Employment Options
We offer flexible employment options to suit your circumstances. You can enter this role via an NHS secondment, allowing you to retain all your NHS benefits, including your pension, annual leave, and continuity of service, while gaining valuable system leadership experience through a formal secondment agreement. You will be employed by CAMHS and based within the Local Authority. Alternatively, you can join on a fixed‑term Local Authority contract, which is ideal for clinicians looking to diversify their career. We will work with you to find the option that best meets your needs.
About The Service
The Intensive Community Support Service provides intensive, wraparound therapeutic support for young people aged 13–18 with complex trauma, neurodevelopmental needs, significant emotional and behavioural difficulties, or those at risk of family or placement breakdown. The service delivers community-based alternatives to hospital admission, helping to:
- Reduce unnecessary inpatient admissions
- Prevent delayed discharges
- Avoid high-cost out-of-area placements
- Improve placement stability through coordinated work across CAMHS, Children’s Social Care and education
About The Role
This is not a traditional inpatient or crisis role. Based within Newham Council’s Edge of Care Service, you will be part of a small multidisciplinary team delivering flexible home and community-based interventions. You will undertake specialist assessments, formulation and evidence-based therapeutic work with young people with highly complex needs. Your practice may draw on approaches such as DBT‑informed emotional regulation, CBT, motivational interviewing, Positive Behaviour Support, family and systemic practice, Non‑Violence Resistance (NVR), psychoeducation and problem‑solving interventions. You will also provide consultation to professional networks, support families and carers, contribute to rapid‑response pathways and help shape the ongoing development of this nationally significant pilot.
About You
You will be an Occupational Therapist with experience in CAMHS or complex adolescent mental health services. You will have strong knowledge of trauma‑informed practice, neurodevelopmental conditions, safeguarding, risk assessment and multi‑agency working. Experience in service development, quality improvement, Positive Behaviour Support or systemic approaches would be advantageous.
Why Join Us?
- Help shape a pioneering model of care with national significance and real impact
- Work intensively with a small caseload making a lasting difference to the lives of some of Newham’s most vulnerable young people
- Receive excellent clinical supervision and multidisciplinary support in addition to training and professional development
- Gain experience in innovation, service development and system leadership
- Contribute to a model that could influence practice across London and beyond
Additional Information
The role is based within Newham Council’s Edge of Care Service with close links to CAMHS. The service will initially operate across Newham before expanding into neighbouring boroughs. Community and home‑based working is central to the role. Newham Council is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and to building a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, as we believe a diverse workforce strengthens our ability to deliver inclusive, high‑quality services and achieve better outcomes for our residents and communities.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti‑racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.
Closing date 19th July 2026.
2000 Tomorrows: Occupational Therapist employer: London Borough of Newham
The London Borough of Newham is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Senior Educational Psychologists. With a strong commitment to professional development and flexible working arrangements, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in East London. The competitive salary and additional allowances further enhance the appeal of this rewarding role.
