University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Principal Specialist CAMHS Practitioner

The closing date is 05 January 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a mental health clinician with specialist training and experience, and an interest in trauma and multi-agency working, to join the CAMHS Team at The Lighthouse.

The post is open to qualified and professionally registered clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds; including (but not limited to) Clinical Psychology, Child Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Nursing and Occupational Therapy.

This post is fixed-term until 31st March 2027, due to current funding, and could be an ideal secondment opportunity. It will focus on supporting the delivery of multi-disciplinary assessments, individual and group therapeutic interventions for children and carers, and wider network engagement through consultations and training to professionals. There will be opportunities for the post to support and co-lead the development and delivery of participation work and research within the service.

The post holder will be supported throughout their induction and professional development. Regular clinical supervision in your discipline will be provided, as well as reflective group practice. There will be opportunities to make professional links with the UCLH Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Medicine and local CAMHS teams. The Lighthouse is also part of the PROMISE network of Barnahus services, with unique opportunities for national and international engagements with peer services.

Main duties of the job

o Deliver specialist assessment and evidence-based therapeutic interventions for children, young people and families referred to The Lighthouse, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.o Hold and manage a defined clinical caseload, providing individual and group-based interventions, conducting risk assessments, and developing collaborative safety plans.o Offer clinical consultation and advice to professionals across social care, education and CAMHS, supporting high-quality, trauma-informed practice across the wider system.o Lead and contribute to multi-agency meetings, including MDTs and professional network discussions, ensuring coordinated and effective care planning.o Deliver supervision to trainees, contribute to staff development, and support training for internal and external partners.o Work closely with Lighthouse colleagues including Social Workers, Paediatricians, Police and Advocates, promoting integrated safeguarding practice.o Contribute to service development, quality improvement and clinical governance activity within The Lighthouse, supporting the ongoing enhancement of trauma-informed care.o Promote the mental health and wellbeing of young people and families through therapeutic engagement, psychoeducation and effective multi-agency collaboration

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:o University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)o National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgeryo Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitalso University College Hospital Grafton Way Buildingo Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicineo University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centreo The Hospital for Tropical Diseaseso University College Hospital at Westmoreland StreetWe are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Details

Date posted

22 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£64,156 to £71,148 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

15 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-7240

Job locations

The Lighthouse

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recentNHS staff surveyUCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit:Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit:Why Choose UCLH?

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recentNHS staff surveyUCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit:Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit:Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

  • oFor Psychological Therapies colleagues: oDoctoral level training in clinical psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS. oRelevant HCPC registration oOr Child psychotherapy training and BACP registration oOr Family Therapy training (masters level) and UKCP registration oOr equivalent psychological therapies qualification and professional registration.
  • oSpecialist training in subject/skills relevant to Child & and Adolescent Mental Health (0-18 years)
  • oFor Nurse/OT and Social worker colleagues : oRelevant NMC/HCPC registration oCYP IAPT Dip in CBT/SFP/IPT-A and/or relevant post-graduate study in child and adolescent mental health and/or training in specialist therapy relevant to supporting children therapeutically following sexual abuse.
  • oRegistration with relevant Professional body
  • oFurther post-graduate training in specialist therapeutic modality/approach relevant to supporting children therapeutically with trauma or following sexual abuse.

Experience

Essential

  • oFor Psychological Therapist colleagues oSignificant post qualifying experience in a setting where children's mental health is the primary focus, or equivalent development of competencies via relevant experience gained.
  • oFor Nurse/OT and Social worker colleagues oSignificant post registration experience in a setting where children's mental health is the primary focus, or equivalent development of competencies via experience gained.
  • oExperience of working with children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect.
  • oExperience of supporting parents, carers and families through individual, family and/or group-based interventions.
  • oExperience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
  • oExperience of providing clinical consultation and clinical supervision.
  • oExperience of delivering training and teaching.
  • oExperience on developing co-production and participation projects with service users

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • oAdvanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices, and specialist knowledge over more than one discipline/function acquired over a significant period.
  • oAbility to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care plans to meet the needs of clients, based on clinical assessment and formulation.
  • oAbility to work to standards for quality and Lighthouse policies and procedures.
  • oAbility to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and demonstrate awareness of MDT functioning.
  • oAbility to maintain and manage own caseload and work autonomously within the specialist area
  • oKnowledge of relevant psychological theory and evidence-based practice.
  • oKnowledge of theory and practice of clinical supervision.
  • oWillingness and ability to develop specialist knowledge of clinical aspects of child & adolescent mental health
  • oLeadership skills in clinical practice and contributing to service development
  • oCulturally competent practice knowledge and skills
  • oAbility to recognise own limits & seek support re supervision as appropriate.
  • oTo have developed computer skills to enable input of relevant data and typing of summaries and reports etc
  • oThe ability to supervise, teach and develop the skills of clinical trainees and junior staff as appropriate
  • oAbility to analyse risk and respond appropriately, seeking support as necessary.

Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving

Communication

Essential

  • oExcellent written & verbal communication skills.
  • oGood interpersonal skills & demonstrable ability to work with others.
  • oExperience with delivering training and presentations to a range of audiences

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Experience in managing or supervising trainees or qualified staff

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties
Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

  • oFor Psychological Therapies colleagues: oDoctoral level training in clinical psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS. oRelevant HCPC registration oOr Child psychotherapy training and BACP registration oOr Family Therapy training (masters level) and UKCP registration oOr equivalent psychological therapies qualification and professional registration.
  • oSpecialist training in subject/skills relevant to Child & and Adolescent Mental Health (0-18 years)
  • oFor Nurse/OT and Social worker colleagues : oRelevant NMC/HCPC registration oCYP IAPT Dip in CBT/SFP/IPT-A and/or relevant post-graduate study in child and adolescent mental health and/or training in specialist therapy relevant to supporting children therapeutically following sexual abuse.
  • oRegistration with relevant Professional body
  • oFurther post-graduate training in specialist therapeutic modality/approach relevant to supporting children therapeutically with trauma or following sexual abuse.

Experience

Essential

  • oFor Psychological Therapist colleagues oSignificant post qualifying experience in a setting where children's mental health is the primary focus, or equivalent development of competencies via relevant experience gained.
  • oFor Nurse/OT and Social worker colleagues oSignificant post registration experience in a setting where children's mental health is the primary focus, or equivalent development of competencies via experience gained.
  • oExperience of working with children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect.
  • oExperience of supporting parents, carers and families through individual, family and/or group-based interventions.
  • oExperience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
  • oExperience of providing clinical consultation and clinical supervision.
  • oExperience of delivering training and teaching.
  • oExperience on developing co-production and participation projects with service users

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • oAdvanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices, and specialist knowledge over more than one discipline/function acquired over a significant period.
  • oAbility to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care plans to meet the needs of clients, based on clinical assessment and formulation.
  • oAbility to work to standards for quality and Lighthouse policies and procedures.
  • oAbility to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and demonstrate awareness of MDT functioning.
  • oAbility to maintain and manage own caseload and work autonomously within the specialist area
  • oKnowledge of relevant psychological theory and evidence-based practice.
  • oKnowledge of theory and practice of clinical supervision.
  • oWillingness and ability to develop specialist knowledge of clinical aspects of child & adolescent mental health
  • oLeadership skills in clinical practice and contributing to service development
  • oCulturally competent practice knowledge and skills
  • oAbility to recognise own limits & seek support re supervision as appropriate.
  • oTo have developed computer skills to enable input of relevant data and typing of summaries and reports etc
  • oThe ability to supervise, teach and develop the skills of clinical trainees and junior staff as appropriate
  • oAbility to analyse risk and respond appropriately, seeking support as necessary.

Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving

Communication

Essential

  • oExcellent written & verbal communication skills.
  • oGood interpersonal skills & demonstrable ability to work with others.
  • oExperience with delivering training and presentations to a range of audiences

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Experience in managing or supervising trainees or qualified staff

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Lighthouse

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU


Employer's website

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Lighthouse

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU


Employer's website

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

CAMHS Team Lead

Dr Christina Trigeorgis

christina.trigeorgis@nhs.net

02030490010

Details

Date posted

22 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£64,156 to £71,148 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

15 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-7240

Job locations

The Lighthouse

235 Euston Road

London

NW1 2BU


Supporting documents

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