Clinical Psychologist / Counselling Psychologist

Job overview

The advertised post provides direct interventions for moderate mental health presentations at both primary and secondary school level and contributes to a whole school approach (WSA) across the school cluster. This may include running parent workshops and staff training sessions, offering reflective practice groups and consultation to school staff.

This exciting and varied roles with good scope for creative and innovative working within a new national initiative to increase mental health input directly into schools.  There is a very strong peer support network across the CAMHS Education Wellbeing Service (comprising of all 12 MHSTs run by the Trust).  There is a huge amount of opportunity for developing skills and being at the forefront of a continually developing service.  We are looking for an enthusiastic, proactive and creative therapist who is keen to expand their skills and learn on the job, with strong support offered at all levels.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will offer direct clinical interventions, both individual and group, as appropriate for their profession and skill set.  The WSA work involves working collaboratively with schools at a preventative level and meeting need as it arises within the school setting.  There are good training opportunities, via internal CAMHS training or training events run by Kings College London.

The MHSTs exist within a wider network of child mental health resources that coordinate early help, targeted help and specialist interventions for children and young people according to presentation and need.  There are also good opportunities for linking in with local CAMHS and the Single Point of Access within the borough.  As these services are all run by the Trust, this makes for smoother linking in and liaison across teams.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Community CAMHS Directorate is located within South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.  The Trust is responsible for the provision of mental health services  to the population of Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, Kingston and Richmond as well as providing a range of specialist services to a set of wider, regional and national catchment areas.

The South West London MHST programme is part of a wider, national programme stemming from the Government Green Paper which advocated for a joint partnership between education and health to provide early intervention for mental health difficulties in schools.

Each Mental Health Support Team (MHST) works with an allocated cluster of primary and secondary schools.  Teams work jointly with schools and cluster leads to implement a Whole School Approach (WSA) to mental health across the cluster, informed by the needs outlined on  the cluster action plan.

The teams deliver a range of evidence-based psychological interventions for children, young people and their families with common mental health difficulties.

The CAMHS MHSTs within SWLSTG NHS Trust are professionally managed by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and operationally managed by the Borough Service Manager. Each team consists of 6-8 staff including a Psychologist who is the lead supervisor and coordinator, the  advertised post and 4 Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) or CWPs.  The team works directly within schools and close liaison with school staff and other mental health services is an essential part of the role.

The Trust currently runs a total of twelve CAMHS MHSTs across the boroughs of Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth.  There are strong links between all the teams and a good peer support network across the Trust MHSTs.

The wider CAMHS service within the Trust includes dedicated teams for Eating Disorders, Neurodevelopmental Assessment, Complex Learning Difficulties, Multi-Systemic Therapy and Emergency Care.

An electronic clinical record and information system (CYP IAPTUS) is in use.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.