Job summary

We are looking for an experienced Specialist CAMHS Clinician and Operational Lead to join our thriving and innovative multi-disciplinary Emotional & Behavioural Team (EB3). We are a team that prides itself on creative, innovative and evidenced based approaches to our work with service users and carers and value a supportive and reflective culture in the work environment. Our team is inclusive and we consciously think about varying contexts we work within (i.e. racial, cultural and socio-economic factors). Our work is underpinned by strong values to treat each other, service users and agency partners with respect and care.

The main base would be at the CAMHS office, Rush Court, Bedford, MK40 3JT. There is currently flexibility regarding working from home part-time.

Main duties of the job

This post will provide a specialist service within CAMHS to young people and their families and take the lead on the day-to-day operational management of the service. This is a community-based post, located within the Bedford Emotional and Behavioural Team in North Bedfordshire CAMHS, offering flexible, evidence-based episodes of care, assessments and treatments, including group-work.

The post holder will have completed a recognised qualification in one of the core CAMHS disciplines and have experience in service management. The post holder will work with the Clinical Team Lead to ensure operational services are effective and will provide frontline leadership to the staff within the. This will include professional and practice development and ensuring high quality client-centered care is delivered. The post holder will lead by example to maintain high standards of care and practice and to empower the team to take on a greater range of clinical tasks to improve client care in the specialist CAMH service.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Date posted

15 December 2022

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£48,526 to £54,619 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

363-SSLB4747262-A

Job locations

North Beds CAMHS

9 Rush Court

Bedford

MK40 3JT

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be a highly visible presence in clinical practice and be accessible to clients and their families. The post holder will work as an autonomous and accountable practitioner supporting with leadership of this team. This will involve the management and supervision of junior staff, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the care provided and effective liaison with all agencies involved with the service user.

The post-holder will produce reports on developments for Bedford CAMHS managers and multi-agency partners.

The post holder will contribute to the development of strong working relationships across the range of child and young peoples services and will take the lead on developing and promoting close working relationships with partner agencies.

The team leaders are committed to staff development: there are regular opportunities for staff to apply for appropriate training courses, such as CBT, EMDR, NVR and DBT. We are also passionate about service user participation with opportunities to get involved in groups and encouragement to work with service users, for example in evaluation of groups and service development. There are opportunities to get involved in quality improvement initiatives. There are also frequent new developments in the service, offering staff the chance to work at a higher banding during the time of the project. As part of the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), there are a significant number of positions in the trust for clinicians up to band 8D, opening up paths for promotion for ambitious members of staff. ELFT also prioritizes staff wellbeing and we have introduced a range of staff wellbeing initiatives to support this.

The team is part of Bedfordshire CAMHS which is a large, dynamic and successful CAMHs service comprising of four emotional and behavioural teams, a LAC team, a CAMHs schools team, a parent-infant psychotherapy team, a paediatric team, a GP team, an adolescent mental health team, a crisis team and an eating disorders service and Neurodevelopment Team. We also have embedded workers in Early Help, CDC and social care. We offer regular opportunities for staff to undertake individualised CPD, and we provide opportunities for staff wishing to act up into more senior roles on occasion.

Bedfordshire CAMHs has a thriving service-user participation group which meets regularly to consider service development initiatives. The successful applicant would have the opportunity to join in a number of quality improvement (QI) projects which can lead to innovations within the Service. East London Foundation Trust is a fantastic trust to work for and the successful candidate will receive both training and personal development opportunities enabling them to reach their potential and progress towards their career aspirations.

Bedford is a fast growing hub and multi-ethnic community within a 38-minute train journey from central London, with the clinic a 15-minute walk from the station. The Trust has an arrangement for 50% discount on season ticket fares with Thameslink, the rail provider, for its staff.

Please see main JD attached

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be a highly visible presence in clinical practice and be accessible to clients and their families. The post holder will work as an autonomous and accountable practitioner supporting with leadership of this team. This will involve the management and supervision of junior staff, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the care provided and effective liaison with all agencies involved with the service user.

The post-holder will produce reports on developments for Bedford CAMHS managers and multi-agency partners.

The post holder will contribute to the development of strong working relationships across the range of child and young peoples services and will take the lead on developing and promoting close working relationships with partner agencies.

The team leaders are committed to staff development: there are regular opportunities for staff to apply for appropriate training courses, such as CBT, EMDR, NVR and DBT. We are also passionate about service user participation with opportunities to get involved in groups and encouragement to work with service users, for example in evaluation of groups and service development. There are opportunities to get involved in quality improvement initiatives. There are also frequent new developments in the service, offering staff the chance to work at a higher banding during the time of the project. As part of the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), there are a significant number of positions in the trust for clinicians up to band 8D, opening up paths for promotion for ambitious members of staff. ELFT also prioritizes staff wellbeing and we have introduced a range of staff wellbeing initiatives to support this.

The team is part of Bedfordshire CAMHS which is a large, dynamic and successful CAMHs service comprising of four emotional and behavioural teams, a LAC team, a CAMHs schools team, a parent-infant psychotherapy team, a paediatric team, a GP team, an adolescent mental health team, a crisis team and an eating disorders service and Neurodevelopment Team. We also have embedded workers in Early Help, CDC and social care. We offer regular opportunities for staff to undertake individualised CPD, and we provide opportunities for staff wishing to act up into more senior roles on occasion.

Bedfordshire CAMHs has a thriving service-user participation group which meets regularly to consider service development initiatives. The successful applicant would have the opportunity to join in a number of quality improvement (QI) projects which can lead to innovations within the Service. East London Foundation Trust is a fantastic trust to work for and the successful candidate will receive both training and personal development opportunities enabling them to reach their potential and progress towards their career aspirations.

Bedford is a fast growing hub and multi-ethnic community within a 38-minute train journey from central London, with the clinic a 15-minute walk from the station. The Trust has an arrangement for 50% discount on season ticket fares with Thameslink, the rail provider, for its staff.

Please see main JD attached

Person Specification

Education, Qualification & Training

Essential

  • A qualification in Child Psychotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Family Therapy, Nursing, Counselling Psychology, Social Work or other equivalent profession

Desirable

  • For clinicians other than family therapists: Years one and two of MSc in Systemic psychotherapy or equivalent in relevant treatment modality.
  • Masters Degree or working towards postgraduate qualification in related CAMHS or specific treatment modality.
  • For nurses: Non-Medical Prescriber

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of working in CAMHS or equivalent setting for at least 5 years
  • Experience of working in community CAMHS and working with a multi-agency network
  • Experience at Band 7 for at least 2 years
  • Experience of managing and supervising junior staff
  • Experience of service development
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting
  • Experience of working in a culturally diverse inner city area.
  • Experience of working in or liaising closely with multi agency teams working with adolescents e.g. Youth Services, YOT etc.
  • Experience of working with vulnerable young people who present with high risk behaviors.
  • Experience of consultation and teaching

Desirable

  • Specific trainings in ND and ASD/C assessment and treatment protocols

Abilities & Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of well-developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS, including mental health assessments and therapeutic interventions
  • Advanced skills in particular therapeutic approaches
  • Experience of working sensitively with distressing material that may have serious implications to young people and their families.
  • Ability to manage a team of staff effectively to ensure resources are adequately managed to meet the needs of the service including developing staffing rotas
  • Able to work effectively in a multi-agency team
  • Proven ability in standard setting and audit implementation
  • Proven ability to undertake research
  • The ability to maintain and represent a CAMHS identity within a multi- agency setting, including managing the dynamics of a team within a team, i.e. The Specialist Workers in that context.
  • Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to “hold” stress of others
  • Teaching, appraising and supervision skills
  • The ability to deliver CAMHS training within a multi-agency professional setting. (for example children’s social care, youth services, YOT)
  • Able to manage own time and caseload
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Evidence of ability to lead, support and influence others
  • Able to work effectively across organisational boundaries
  • Teaching skills, both in clinical setting and education centres
  • Computer skills , including Excel

Desirable

  • Skills in applying behavioural/learning approaches to difficult to manage behaviour

Knowledge

Essential

  • A high degree of self-awareness and an ability to reflect on personal and professional attitudes and accept feedback
  • A developed knowledge of ND and ASD/C
  • Awareness of current national guidelines and policies in the field of CAMHS
  • Specific knowledge of pertinent issues for CAMHS
  • In depth knowledge of CAMHS issues including assessment and interventions
  • Knowledge of The Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and associated legislation
  • Knowledge of specific inner city issues which impact of care delivery
  • Knowledge of the Children’s Act and other appropriate legislation
  • Knowledge of standard setting and audit implementation
  • An awareness of different research methods
  • An awareness of different research methods

Other

Essential

  • Commitment to equal opportunities
  • Self motivated, assertive and flexible
  • Proven qualities in sustaining the mental, emotional and physical demands of specialized therapeutic work with disturbed and distressed children, adolescents and their families/carer networks.
Person Specification

Education, Qualification & Training

Essential

  • A qualification in Child Psychotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Family Therapy, Nursing, Counselling Psychology, Social Work or other equivalent profession

Desirable

  • For clinicians other than family therapists: Years one and two of MSc in Systemic psychotherapy or equivalent in relevant treatment modality.
  • Masters Degree or working towards postgraduate qualification in related CAMHS or specific treatment modality.
  • For nurses: Non-Medical Prescriber

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of working in CAMHS or equivalent setting for at least 5 years
  • Experience of working in community CAMHS and working with a multi-agency network
  • Experience at Band 7 for at least 2 years
  • Experience of managing and supervising junior staff
  • Experience of service development
  • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting
  • Experience of working in a culturally diverse inner city area.
  • Experience of working in or liaising closely with multi agency teams working with adolescents e.g. Youth Services, YOT etc.
  • Experience of working with vulnerable young people who present with high risk behaviors.
  • Experience of consultation and teaching

Desirable

  • Specific trainings in ND and ASD/C assessment and treatment protocols

Abilities & Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of well-developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS, including mental health assessments and therapeutic interventions
  • Advanced skills in particular therapeutic approaches
  • Experience of working sensitively with distressing material that may have serious implications to young people and their families.
  • Ability to manage a team of staff effectively to ensure resources are adequately managed to meet the needs of the service including developing staffing rotas
  • Able to work effectively in a multi-agency team
  • Proven ability in standard setting and audit implementation
  • Proven ability to undertake research
  • The ability to maintain and represent a CAMHS identity within a multi- agency setting, including managing the dynamics of a team within a team, i.e. The Specialist Workers in that context.
  • Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to “hold” stress of others
  • Teaching, appraising and supervision skills
  • The ability to deliver CAMHS training within a multi-agency professional setting. (for example children’s social care, youth services, YOT)
  • Able to manage own time and caseload
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Evidence of ability to lead, support and influence others
  • Able to work effectively across organisational boundaries
  • Teaching skills, both in clinical setting and education centres
  • Computer skills , including Excel

Desirable

  • Skills in applying behavioural/learning approaches to difficult to manage behaviour

Knowledge

Essential

  • A high degree of self-awareness and an ability to reflect on personal and professional attitudes and accept feedback
  • A developed knowledge of ND and ASD/C
  • Awareness of current national guidelines and policies in the field of CAMHS
  • Specific knowledge of pertinent issues for CAMHS
  • In depth knowledge of CAMHS issues including assessment and interventions
  • Knowledge of The Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and associated legislation
  • Knowledge of specific inner city issues which impact of care delivery
  • Knowledge of the Children’s Act and other appropriate legislation
  • Knowledge of standard setting and audit implementation
  • An awareness of different research methods
  • An awareness of different research methods

Other

Essential

  • Commitment to equal opportunities
  • Self motivated, assertive and flexible
  • Proven qualities in sustaining the mental, emotional and physical demands of specialized therapeutic work with disturbed and distressed children, adolescents and their families/carer networks.

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).

Additional information

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).