CAMHS Single Point of Access Practitioner – Band 5 to 6 Development

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the workforce in a new role for our CAMHS Single Point of Access for the Black Country. The service has recently undergone a change management process to move into one centralised CAMHS Single Point of Access from the previous locality based teams in the Black Country. The service centralises the management of all incoming referrals for young people with emotional well-being and mental health needs across the Black Country, covering Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton boroughs.

The successful candidate will be recruited into a band 5 position and developed to progress into band 6 positions upon completion of the development framework over an expected 18 months to two year period.

We are seeking qualified practitioners to join our vibrant and passionate team, facilitating young people's access to mental health services in the Black Country. The posts are suitable for both newly qualified and experienced professionals looking to transition into a career in CAMHS.

We welcome applicants from a range of professional backgrounds who hold a recognised core qualification and registration with an appropriate governing body such as NMC, HCPC and Social Work England.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a quality specialist service to clients (and their families/carers) referred to CAMHS across all sectors of care
• To promote the reputation of CAMHS
• Effectively assess and prioritise clinical complexity and risk, liaising with senior colleagues as required
• Liaise with referrers and professionals in relation to clinical concerns and queries
• Be a clinical point of contact for children, young people and families.
• Effectively liaise with referrers, professionals, partners and agencies in relation to referrals and/or assessments

In addition to the above, progressing to:

• Triage referrals into CAMHS, including the assessment and prioritisation of clinical complexity and risk.
• To contribute towards referral and triage pathways and processes within CAMHS
• To provide specialist assessment and intervention for complex mental health needs and to work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise systematic governance of practice within CAMHS.
• To contribute to the proposal, development and implementation of policy and procedures for CAMHS and wider children and family services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To support in the provision of specialist systematic processes for the assessment of children and young people referred into CAMHS. To assess, triage and prioritise referrals ensuring an equitable system and that those with urgent needs are clearly identified and needs are addressed in a timely manner.
• To consider the appropriateness of CAMHS referrals in relation to agreed referral criteria and organise safe signposting as appropriate to the needs of the child/young person referred.
• To work collaboratively with other disciplines/voluntary agencies.
• To undertake risk assessments as appropriate.
• To participate and facilitate where appropriate in person centred planning for children and adolescents with a mental health need.
• To work in liaison with adult mental health services and other agencies to ensure transitional arrangements are meeting individual needs and are person centred.
• To provide written and verbal reports for meetings and reviews as appropriate.
• To work in liaison with trust safeguarding leads and other agencies regarding child and adult protection and ensure that policies and procedures are adhered too.
• To actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.
• To attend such courses and training as indicated by the needs of the service and within the limitation of the service as required by the post.
• To communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families/carers, health and social care professionals and other agencies to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service.
• To apply highly developed interpersonal skills in order to deal with potential aggression or with patients who may be distressed, suicidal or lack capacity.
• To communicate complex and emotionally sensitive information to patients and their families/carers regarding their mental health needs, plans of care and interactions with outside agencies demonstrating honest and transparent practice.
• To assist in on-going audit and evaluation of policies within the SPA in consultation with other members of the multi-disciplinary team(s), service heads/professional managers.
• To undertake any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this post in order to provide a quality Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.