Job summary
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the Social Communication and Autism Spectrum Service (SCASS)
An exciting opportunity has opened up within the Psychological and Mental Health Services (PAMHS) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
This is an 8 PA (programmed activities) post for a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with the Social Communication and Autism Spectrum Service (SCASS). The post is based in Psychological and Mental Health Services (PAMHS) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
The successful applicant will lead SCASS, a national service which specialises in second opinion autism spectrum disorder assessments in children and adolescents aged 4-17, in mainstream education, who often present.with complex comorbidities. Young people are referred to the clinic with a combination of neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric or mental health difficulties and a request for diagnostic clarity. The clinic carries out diagnostic assessments, makes recommendations for treatment and advises on educational strategies. The team provides psycho-education groups for children and young people and their families called PEGASUS aimed at enhancing young people's understanding of their condition and to help them to develop compensatory strategies and realise their potential. The service has a strong multidisciplinary approach.
This post is available fromNovember 2025.
Main duties of the job
This is an 8 PA (programmed activities) post for a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with a special interest in autism. The post is based in Psychological and Mental Health Services (PAMHS) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. This is a longstanding, well-established post at GOSH.
The postholder will lead the National and Specialist Social Communication and Autism Spectrum Service (SCASS) and will also provide once-monthly psychiatry input to the paediatric-run 22q11 deletion multidisciplinary clinic.
About us
We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.
Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.
We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachments.
All applicants should return their application forms electronically.
Applicants must be GMC registered with a licence to practice, Section 12 Approved, have Approved Clinician status and be on the Child and Adolescent Specialist Register by the designated start date.
Based in central London, GOSH offers flexible working, help with childcare and travel, excellent training and development opportunities and assistance with finding somewhere to live.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachments.
All applicants should return their application forms electronically.
Applicants must be GMC registered with a licence to practice, Section 12 Approved, have Approved Clinician status and be on the Child and Adolescent Specialist Register by the designated start date.
Based in central London, GOSH offers flexible working, help with childcare and travel, excellent training and development opportunities and assistance with finding somewhere to live.
Person Specification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential
- Always welcoming
- Always helpful
- Always expert
- Always one team
- Knowledge and Understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
- Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace
- Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential
- GMC specialist registration with a Licence to Practice (obtained by designated start date)
- MRCPsych or equivalent
- CCT/CCST in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (or within 6 months at time of interview) or equivalent training and experience (eligible for CESR)
- Section 12 approval
Desirable
- Higher degree - PhD, MD or equivalent
- Formal teaching qualification
- Leadership qualification
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Specialist experience and knowledge in the assessment and management of autism and comorbid conditions
- Experience of teaching students and multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of leading in Clinical Audit processes
- Awareness of the importance of Clinical Governance through experience of participating in quality or safety improvement projects
Desirable
- Published research in peer reviewed journals in relevant area
- Experience of recruiting patients to clinical research trials
- Experience of working in shared care clinics and clinical networks
- Experience of clinical leadership or management
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- High level written and oral communication skills
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
- Ability to work under pressure in a multi-disciplinary environment
- Presentation skills
- Understanding and proven ability to apply research findings in a clinical/organisational context
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills
- Ability to work on own initiative within an ever changing environment.
Desirable
Person Specification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential
- Always welcoming
- Always helpful
- Always expert
- Always one team
- Knowledge and Understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
- Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace
- Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential
- GMC specialist registration with a Licence to Practice (obtained by designated start date)
- MRCPsych or equivalent
- CCT/CCST in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (or within 6 months at time of interview) or equivalent training and experience (eligible for CESR)
- Section 12 approval
Desirable
- Higher degree - PhD, MD or equivalent
- Formal teaching qualification
- Leadership qualification
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Specialist experience and knowledge in the assessment and management of autism and comorbid conditions
- Experience of teaching students and multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of leading in Clinical Audit processes
- Awareness of the importance of Clinical Governance through experience of participating in quality or safety improvement projects
Desirable
- Published research in peer reviewed journals in relevant area
- Experience of recruiting patients to clinical research trials
- Experience of working in shared care clinics and clinical networks
- Experience of clinical leadership or management
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- High level written and oral communication skills
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload
- Ability to work under pressure in a multi-disciplinary environment
- Presentation skills
- Understanding and proven ability to apply research findings in a clinical/organisational context
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills
- Ability to work on own initiative within an ever changing environment.
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
London
WC1N 3JH
Employer's website
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
