Job overview

Stop, read and apply! If you want be a part of changing the future outcomes for children and young people who present to mental health services.  We are giving you the opportunity to work and train to become a CAMH Specialist Practitioner in Child and Adolescent Mental Health through our innovative and comprehensive training programme which includes formal teaching, experiential learning and supervision. 

We are seeking applications from Registered Mental Health Nurses, Social workers or Occupational therapists with significant post registration training, who have experience of working in child and adolescent in-patient and/or community services or adult community services.

The Alliance Crisis Service is an evolving service which aims to provide brief interventions and outreach work to children and young people presenting with acute psychological and mental health problems where intensive support is required to prevent admission to Tier 4 Services and to facilitate safe and timely discharges from Tier 4 Services. We also operate a helpline service.
Ideally you are someone who has the ability to be creative, flexible, dynamic and have confidence in your ability to problem solve and make decisions.

Main duties of the job

The aim of the programme is to support development of Band 6 CAMH Nurses, CAMHS Social Worker and/or CAMH Occupational Therapists to develop the core knowledge, skills and competencies as set out in the Competence Framework for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which will allow them to progress and practice as Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialists, or Specialist Mental Health Social Worker, or Specialist Occupational Therapists with CAMHS.  

The programme will also support the development of Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialists and Specialist Mental Health Practitioners, who have no or limited experience working in CAMHS, but who have transferable training, skills and experience, to build on their existing knowledge and skills to develop the full set of competencies as set out in the Competence Framework for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.  

The CAMH Practitioner will participate in delivering provision of specialist mental health services to children and young people and their families and carers across the West London NHS Trust 3 Boroughs CAMH Service and crisis pathway. 

The role will involve the comprehensive assessment of children and young people with mental health needs (including risk assessment and the development of risk management plans) who present in crisis to CAMH Services, hospitals and sites covered by the Alliance Crisis Care Team.

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and   Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m. 

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.