Job overview
West London CAMHS (WL CAMHS) provides specialist mental health services for children and young people experiencing a wide range of emotional, behavioural, psychological, and neurodevelopmental difficulties. The service delivers comprehensive assessments, risk management, and evidence-based interventions tailored to individual and family needs. Care is delivered within a multidisciplinary team approach, working closely with colleagues across CAMHS, including clinicians, therapists, nurses, and psychologists, as well as partner agencies in health, education, and social care. Regular supervision, consultation, and joint working ensure safe, coordinated, and high-quality care. WL CAMHS works collaboratively with families, carers, and schools to provide person-centred support that promotes recovery, resilience, and improved wellbeing. The service also contributes to consultation, training, service development, and quality improvement, supporting the ongoing development of evidence-based practice and clinical standards.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide advanced mental health support and treatment for children and young people, undertaking comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments and the development of risk management plans. They will deliver specialist interventions for young people presenting with acute, complex, long-standing, and/or severe mental health difficulties. The post holder will work in partnership with children, young people, their families, carers, and significant others. They will also liaise with statutory and voluntary agencies to develop effective multi-agency networks that ensure coordinated, appropriate, and timely support for young people and their families.
The post holder will provide accessible, high-quality care that is sensitive to cultural, ethnic, religious, contextual, family, and developmental needs. They will promote mental health, wellbeing, resilience, and personal and family growth through collaborative goal-setting and person-centred practice.
The post holder will utilise appropriate evidence-based treatment approaches and resources to support positive outcomes for children and young people. They will also offer specialist advice and consultation to professionals across a range of agencies, including primary care, social care, and education, and provide support, clinical supervision, and teaching to staff and students.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence base in relation to child and adolescent mental health
- Research and research methodology at post-graduate level in relation to children and adults with mental health and social problems
- The impact of abuse, trauma and other adverse experiences on children, young people and families.
- Legislation and DOH guidelines relevant to child and adolescent mental health e.g. Mental Health Act 1983, Children Act 1989
- Child protection policies and procedures.
- Child development in relation to mental health difficulties.
- Knowledge of other modalities (i.e. psychoanalytical, biological, cognitive, behavioural etc.) sufficient to engage appropriately with colleagues and their work with clients
Desirable
- An interest in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial length of practice in relevant first profession
- Significant experience of work with children and adolescents in a mental health or equivalent setting
- Experience of working with neurodevelopmental disorders
- Experience of teaching, supervision and/or consultation
Desirable
- Experience of other treatment approaches
- Experience of teaching and training systemic psychotherapy
- Experience of NVR (non violent resistance) approach.
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate training in systemic family therapists as accredited by IFT or AFT.
- Professional registration with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- Previous qualification in a relevant profession such as social work, nursing, teaching, psychology or counselling.
Desirable
- Training in working with neurodevelopmental conditions
- Systemic supervision training
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Highly Specialist Systemic Family Therapist with West London NHS Trust in Southall, London, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Mental health professionals role. The advertised salary is £63,665 - £70,887 per annum inclusive. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (Business Development). The application deadline is 22 Jun 2026.
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