Duty Clinician - CAMHS Practitioner in London

Job summaryKensington and Chelsea CAMHS is a very warm & friendly team which welcomes new skills and new ideas. It is part of Central & North West London (CNWL) Foundation Mental Health Trust. We are committed to collaborative multi-disciplinary work and there are very good links with partnership agencies in the borough.Our front door is one of our service priorities, and we are currently able to offer face to face appointments to children and young people within less than 4 weeks of receiving a referral. You will be part of this well performing team.This is an exciting opportunity to part of a busy integrated CAMHS service. We are seeking to recruit a full-time permanent Band 6, Duty Clinician- CAMHS Practitioner based at 1B Beatrice Place, W8 5LW.We are looking for a suitably qualified and highly motivated individuals with a range of assessment skills and significant experience of supporting children, young people and their carers, as well as experience of working with professionals from other agencies. We encourage applications from Nurses. In the past, the role has been held by nurses, social workers, SPA clinicians and other allied health professionals.The candidates will be able to demonstrate a high degree of autonomous working.Main duties of the jobYou will be part of a Duty team responsible for the daily duty system, which involves: assessing all new referrals; responding to telephone queries; case managing occasional cases who are waiting for finalised care plans, and supporting the team where necessary.The post holder will be responsible for operating within a multidisciplinary team, for providing on-going clinical support and assessment of the child or young people with emotional wellbeing needs (both routine and urgent risk) who access CAMHS.In addition, you may be required to offer face-to-face follow-up appointments to children and young people who have attended A&E.You will need to evidence the ability to work to high standards, showing good time management and be able to prioritise your work effectively.About usTo find out more about working in CAMHS please CLICK HEREfor one of our CAMHS videoKensington and Chelsea CAMHS is a Specialist CAMHS (Tier 3) which consists of three sub-teams - Emotional Disorders Team; Enhanced Treatment; and Neuro-developmental team. There is also an Early Intervention Service, as well as separately-commissioned Youth Justice Liaison, LAC CAMHS, and Under-5's Mental Health teams. The team encompasses a wide range of expertise, including in Neurodevelopmental needs, Learning Disability, substance misuse, youth offending work and multi-cultural engagement. The service has a commitment to user participation.The successful applicant will have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare setting.DetailsDate posted14 October 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 6Salary
47,951 to 56,863 a year
per annum including HCAS
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number333-G-CA-1779Job locationsKensington and Chelsea1B Beatrice Place, Marloes Road, Kensington LondonLondonW8 5LWUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesAssume responsibility for the daily duty system, particularly ascertaining the level of risk, and agreeing safety plans as and when necessary.To participate on the local duty rota providing a more urgent response to issues when required.Support to parents and young people seeking help between clinic appointments, while in waiting lists or when in crisis.Provide initial assessments of children and young people referred to the team.Use individual, group work, family work, advice and supervision according to the needs of children and young people and have a flexible and innovative approach to planning packages of care.Maintain good relationships and clear lines of communication with other professional agencies and departments, providing specialist advice and support where appropriate.Complete signposting and social prescribing after CAMHS assessments.To ensure that all recording and reporting of client contact is timely, accurate, up to date and of good quality and within CAMHS & professional standards of record keeping. To collect & collate information about individual clinical activity on SystmOne.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesAssume responsibility for the daily duty system, particularly ascertaining the level of risk, and agreeing safety plans as and when necessary.To participate on the local duty rota providing a more urgent response to issues when required.Support to parents and young people seeking help between clinic appointments, while in waiting lists or when in crisis.Provide initial assessments of children and young people referred to the team.Use individual, group work, family work, advice and supervision according to the needs of children and young people and have a flexible and innovative approach to planning packages of care.Maintain good relationships and clear lines of communication with other professional agencies and departments, providing specialist advice and support where appropriate.Complete signposting and social prescribing after CAMHS assessments.To ensure that all recording and reporting of client contact is timely, accurate, up to date and of good quality and within CAMHS & professional standards of record keeping. To collect & collate information about individual clinical activity on SystmOne.Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
EssentialAll applicants will require a professional training and relevant CAMHS experience in combination with professional registration with one of the following statutory bodies: the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC), Health Professional's Council (HPC), Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)Relevant professional training will include: oFirst level nursing qualification/registration RMN or RSCN or HV with related CAMHS experience or any as below: o First level qualification in Occupational therapy, Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Social work, or equivalent with related CAMHS experience. o Qualification as a Systemic Psychotherapist (Family Therapist) with relevant CAMHS experience. o First level qualification in art, play, drama, music therapy or psychotherapy (leading to a registered qualification with one of the above statutory bodies) with related experience in the psychological aspects of caring for children and adolescent with mental health problems/needsDesirableFurther post qualifying training and education in working with children and adolescents with mental health problems.CYP-IAPT Therapy TrainingCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Training in Clinical supervisionResearch
Previous Experience
EssentialAssessed supervised clinical experience working with children and adolescents with mental health problems/needs or clear evidence of transferable skillsWorking in collaboration with supervisor, service user, carers and MDT in assessing needs, planning and implementing careTaking responsibility for care delivery in a specific area and maintaining a safe therapeutic environmentA good understanding and some experience of the following: Group, individual and family work, multidisciplinary work, clinical governance and audit and the process of clinical supervision in CAMHSDesirableExperience of teaching, training and / or supervision.Relevant research and its application to assessment, treatment and case management of CAMH disorders.Research informed and evidence based methods of assessment, treatment and case management.Proven ability to work within a changing environmentWorking with families in a multicultural environmentWorking with Looked After Children and foster carersExperience in carrying out specialist child and adolescent mental health assessments and treatments
Personal
EssentialAbility to contain and work with organizational stress and ability to 'hold' the stress of others.Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills.Treats service users with respect and dignity at all times.Enthusiastic, flexible and confident approach to working.Able to prioritize own workload and meet performance requirements for the role.Willingness and ability to learn new skills and adapt to change.
Other
EssentialAbility to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and severely challenging behaviours.Ability to identify, and employ, as appropriate, clinical governance mechanisms for the support and maintenance of clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviorAbility to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.
Knowledge and Skills
EssentialKnowledge and skills in assessment interventionA good working knowledge of mental health disorders in children and adolescentsA good working knowledge of difficulties common to Looked After Children e.g. attachment difficultiesA good working knowledge of The Children Act 1989, 2004 and The Mental Health Act 1983, Human Rights Act 1998 and Mental Capacity Act 2005Assessment of risk and management of risk factorsThe principles of clinical governance and practice.The principles underlying confidentiality and information sharing.Ability to work therapeutically with the client group, using a range of therapeutic interventionsAbility to work under pressure.Ability to take on new concepts/forward thinkingGood written and verbal presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively by telephone and also by email.Basic IT and data entry skills to enter clinical information into databasesAbility to work within a changing environmentAbility to be 'reflective' in therapeutic practice and adapt practice from this reflectionDemonstrate an ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.Excellent time management skillsEvidence of competency in risk assessmentEvidence of using child protectionWell-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information including diagnoses and formulations to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.Skills in providing consultation to other professional and nonprofessional groups.Experience of assessing mental health risk and safeguarding concerns.To have an understanding of the 2014 Children and Families Act in regards to children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)To have an understanding of the graduated approach to support SEND, including using of Westminster / Kensington & Chelsea SEND local Offer.In particular, knowledge and experience of the Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) process.Ability to maintain accurate, timely, concise and legible clinical records both electronically and handwritten, which adhere to the CNWL policiesAbility to work within a changing environmentAbility to be 'reflective' in therapeutic practice and adapt practice from this reflectionDesirableKnowledge of CAMHS legislationKnowledge and experience of research methodology
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications
EssentialAll applicants will require a professional training and relevant CAMHS experience in combination with professional registration with one of the following statutory bodies: the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC), Health Professional's Council (HPC), Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)Relevant professional training will include: oFirst level nursing qualification/registration RMN or RSCN or HV with related CAMHS experience or any as below: o First level qualification in Occupational therapy, Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Social work, or equivalent with related CAMHS experience. o Qualification as a Systemic Psychotherapist (Family Therapist) with relevant CAMHS experience. o First level qualification in art, play, drama, music therapy or psychotherapy (leading to a registered qualification with one of the above statutory bodies) with related experience in the psychological aspects of caring for children and adolescent with mental health problems/needsDesirableFurther post qualifying training and education in working with children and adolescents with mental health problems.CYP-IAPT Therapy TrainingCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Training in Clinical supervisionResearch
Previous Experience
EssentialAssessed supervised clinical experience working with children and adolescents with mental health problems/needs or clear evidence of transferable skillsWorking in collaboration with supervisor, service user, carers and MDT in assessing needs, planning and implementing careTaking responsibility for care delivery in a specific area and maintaining a safe therapeutic environmentA good understanding and some experience of the following: Group, individual and family work, multidisciplinary work, clinical governance and audit and the process of clinical supervision in CAMHSDesirableExperience of teaching, training and / or supervision.Relevant research and its application to assessment, treatment and case management of CAMH disorders.Research informed and evidence based methods of assessment, treatment and case management.Proven ability to work within a changing environmentWorking with families in a multicultural environmentWorking with Looked After Children and foster carersExperience in carrying out specialist child and adolescent mental health assessments and treatments
Personal
EssentialAbility to contain and work with organizational stress and ability to 'hold' the stress of others.Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills.Treats service users with respect and dignity at all times.Enthusiastic, flexible and confident approach to working.Able to prioritize own workload and meet performance requirements for the role.Willingness and ability to learn new skills and adapt to change.
Other
EssentialAbility to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and severely challenging behaviours.Ability to identify, and employ, as appropriate, clinical governance mechanisms for the support and maintenance of clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviorAbility to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.
Knowledge and Skills
EssentialKnowledge and skills in assessment interventionA good working knowledge of mental health disorders in children and adolescentsA good working knowledge of difficulties common to Looked After Children e.g. attachment difficultiesA good working knowledge of The Children Act 1989, 2004 and The Mental Health Act 1983, Human Rights Act 1998 and Mental Capacity Act 2005Assessment of risk and management of risk factorsThe principles of clinical governance and practice.The principles underlying confidentiality and information sharing.Ability to work therapeutically with the client group, using a range of therapeutic interventionsAbility to work under pressure.Ability to take on new concepts/forward thinkingGood written and verbal presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively by telephone and also by email.Basic IT and data entry skills to enter clinical information into databasesAbility to work within a changing environmentAbility to be 'reflective' in therapeutic practice and adapt practice from this reflectionDemonstrate an ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.Excellent time management skillsEvidence of competency in risk assessmentEvidence of using child protectionWell-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information including diagnoses and formulations to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.Skills in providing consultation to other professional and nonprofessional groups.Experience of assessing mental health risk and safeguarding concerns.To have an understanding of the 2014 Children and Families Act in regards to children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)To have an understanding of the graduated approach to support SEND, including using of Westminster / Kensington & Chelsea SEND local Offer.In particular, knowledge and experience of the Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) process.Ability to maintain accurate, timely, concise and legible clinical records both electronically and handwritten, which adhere to the CNWL policiesAbility to work within a changing environmentAbility to be 'reflective' in therapeutic practice and adapt practice from this reflectionDesirableKnowledge of CAMHS legislationKnowledge and experience of research methodologyDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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).Employer detailsEmployer nameCentral and North West London NHS Foundation TrustAddressKensington and Chelsea1B Beatrice Place, Marloes Road, Kensington LondonLondonW8 5LWUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameCentral and North West London NHS Foundation TrustAddressKensington and Chelsea1B Beatrice Place, Marloes Road, Kensington LondonLondonW8 5LWUnited KingdomEmployer's website