Senior CAMHS Clinical Specialist

NHS

  • Catford, South East London
  • £64,156-71,148 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 8 days ago
Band:Agenda for Change Band 8aLocation:Lewisham CAMHSHours:37.5 hours/week (flexible, including term-time options)Reports to: CAMHS Service ManagerResponsible for: CAMHS Virtual school and Outreach practitioners, CAMHS SEND offer including EHC PanelThis senior clinical role leads the interface between CAMHS and SEND services in Lewisham. The post holder provides expert mental health input to the SEN assessment process, supports schools and borough-wide SEND initiatives, and manages clinical teams delivering mental health support in educational settings.Main duties of the jobClinical Leadership:
  • Provide assessments, interventions, and supervision within the Mental Health Support Team (MHST).
  • Lead on CAMHS statutory responsibilities in SEND assessments.
  • Offer clinical guidance on complex cases, including ADHD.
  • Act as a point of contact for SENCOs and complex care services.
Team Management & Supervision:
  • Supervise Band 6 and 7 practitioners.
  • Support recruitment, appraisals, and professional development.
  • Guide outreach teams and the CAMHS Virtual School.
Service Development & Partnership Working:
  • Represent CAMHS in borough-wide SEND and education initiatives.
  • Collaborate with commissioners, schools, and local authority partners.
  • Contribute to service evaluation, audits, and research.
Training & Teaching:
  • Deliver training to SENCos, EMHPs, and CWPs.
  • Promote evidence-based practice and whole-school approaches.
Governance & Record-Keeping:
  • Maintain high standards in clinical documentation and data entry.
  • Ensure compliance with Trust policies and professional standards.
About usSouth London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is a leading provider of mental health services, known for its integration of care, research, and training. Staff benefit from professional development opportunities and collaboration with King's College London and King's Health Partners.DetailsDate posted26 August 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary£64,156 to £71,148 a year per annum inclusive of HCASContractPermanentWorking patternFull-timeReference number334-CLI-7366233Job locationsLewisham CAMHS, Kaleidoscope Centre for children and young people32 Rushey GreenCatfordSE6 4JDJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe post holder will lead the interface between CAMHS and SEND services in Lewisham, providing expert clinical input to the SEND assessment process and supporting borough-wide initiatives. They will manage and supervise outreach teams, contribute to service development, and ensure high-quality mental health support for children and young people in educational settings.Main Responsibilities 1. Clinical and Client Care
  • Conduct assessments, formulations, and interventions for MHST referrals.
  • Provide clinical guidance and supervision to team members.
  • Support children and families in managing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
  • Offer specialist input to the SEND panel and statutory assessments.
  • Liaise with specialist CAMHS teams to ensure coordinated care.
  • Act as care coordinator when required and manage risk assessments and plans.
  • Promote culturally appropriate psychological interventions.
2. Team and Service Functioning
  • Contribute to a psychologically informed service framework.
  • Promote accessibility and cultural competence in service delivery.
  • Provide specialist advice to colleagues and liaise with external professionals.
  • Use evidence-based practice and research to inform clinical work.
3. Policy and Service Development
  • Implement and propose improvements to service policies.
  • Lead or participate in projects related to SEND provision.
  • Engage service users in planning and evaluating services.
4. Resource Management
  • Manage Trust resources responsibly.
  • Forecast and request necessary supplies and equipment.
5. Management and Supervision
  • Supervise Band 6 and 7 practitioners.
  • Support recruitment, appraisals, and professional development.
  • Access and participate in clinical supervision.
6. Teaching and Training
  • Deliver training to SENCos, EMHPs, and CWPs.
  • Share knowledge and research findings with the team.
  • Support the development of staff skills and awareness of current best practices.
7. Record-Keeping and Information Governance
  • Maintain accurate and timely clinical records.
  • Comply with Trust and professional standards for documentation and data protection.
8. Research and Development
  • Lead and support service evaluations and audits.
  • Develop and implement outcome measurement tools.
  • Contribute to research in specialist areas relevant to MHST.
9. Professional Standards and Development
  • Maintain professional registration and CPD.
  • Adhere to ethical and professional guidelines.
  • Stay informed on relevant legislation and clinical developments.
10. General Duties
  • Travel across the Trust as needed.
  • Manage challenging behaviour and emotionally distressing situations professionally.
  • Support colleagues in managing risk and emotional impact.
SUMMARY:This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the post and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the pay band. The post may change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Trust and its services, as well asthe personal development of the post holder Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe post holder will lead the interface between CAMHS and SEND services in Lewisham, providing expert clinical input to the SEND assessment process and supporting borough-wide initiatives. They will manage and supervise outreach teams, contribute to service development, and ensure high-quality mental health support for children and young people in educational settings.Main Responsibilities 1. Clinical and Client Care
  • Conduct assessments, formulations, and interventions for MHST referrals.
  • Provide clinical guidance and supervision to team members.
  • Support children and families in managing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
  • Offer specialist input to the SEND panel and statutory assessments.
  • Liaise with specialist CAMHS teams to ensure coordinated care.
  • Act as care coordinator when required and manage risk assessments and plans.
  • Promote culturally appropriate psychological interventions.
2. Team and Service Functioning
  • Contribute to a psychologically informed service framework.
  • Promote accessibility and cultural competence in service delivery.
  • Provide specialist advice to colleagues and liaise with external professionals.
  • Use evidence-based practice and research to inform clinical work.
3. Policy and Service Development
  • Implement and propose improvements to service policies.
  • Lead or participate in projects related to SEND provision.
  • Engage service users in planning and evaluating services.
4. Resource Management
  • Manage Trust resources responsibly.
  • Forecast and request necessary supplies and equipment.
5. Management and Supervision
  • Supervise Band 6 and 7 practitioners.
  • Support recruitment, appraisals, and professional development.
  • Access and participate in clinical supervision.
6. Teaching and Training
  • Deliver training to SENCos, EMHPs, and CWPs.
  • Share knowledge and research findings with the team.
  • Support the development of staff skills and awareness of current best practices.
7. Record-Keeping and Information Governance
  • Maintain accurate and timely clinical records.
  • Comply with Trust and professional standards for documentation and data protection.
8. Research and Development
  • Lead and support service evaluations and audits.
  • Develop and implement outcome measurement tools.
  • Contribute to research in specialist areas relevant to MHST.
9. Professional Standards and Development
  • Maintain professional registration and CPD.
  • Adhere to ethical and professional guidelines.
  • Stay informed on relevant legislation and clinical developments.
10. General Duties
  • Travel across the Trust as needed.
  • Manage challenging behaviour and emotionally distressing situations professionally.
  • Support colleagues in managing risk and emotional impact.
SUMMARY:This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the post and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the pay band. The post may change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Trust and its services, as well asthe personal development of the post holderPerson SpecificationQualificationsEssential
  • Qualifications and Professional Registration : Entry-level qualification: appropriately registered Clinical/Counselling psychologist, Systemic Family Therapist, Psychotherapist, Nurse, CBT Therapist
  • Evidence of continuing professional development as required by relevant Professional body e.g. HCPC/UKCP, RCN, BABCP
ExperienceEssential
  • Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in CAMHS.
  • Experience of providing teaching and training to professional groups.
  • Experienced in management and clinical supervision
  • Experience of working with schools
Desirable
  • Experience of leadership within a CAMHS setting.
  • Experience of previous working with CWP or EMHP workforce
Knowledge and SkillsEssential
  • Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of evidence-based therapies for child and adolescents
  • Advanced theoretical knowledge of psychosocial theories of mental health and the evidence base for the relevant treatment.
  • Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities
  • Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential
  • Qualifications and Professional Registration : Entry-level qualification: appropriately registered Clinical/Counselling psychologist, Systemic Family Therapist, Psychotherapist, Nurse, CBT Therapist
  • Evidence of continuing professional development as required by relevant Professional body e.g. HCPC/UKCP, RCN, BABCP
ExperienceEssential
  • Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in CAMHS.
  • Experience of providing teaching and training to professional groups.
  • Experienced in management and clinical supervision
  • Experience of working with schools
Desirable
  • Experience of leadership within a CAMHS setting.
  • Experience of previous working with CWP or EMHP workforce
Knowledge and SkillsEssential
  • Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of evidence-based therapies for child and adolescents
  • Advanced theoretical knowledge of psychosocial theories of mental health and the evidence base for the relevant treatment.
  • Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities
  • Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups

NHS