South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

CAMHS Specialist Practitioner (N&S DBT)

The closing date is 06 April 2026

Job summary

The N&S CAMHS DBT Service is looking for an experienced and committed CAMHS practitioner to join our established Dialectical Behaviour Therapy team. This is a fantastic opportunity to join us in delivering a high-quality, evidence-based Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme with young people and their parents and carers. There are also opportunities to be involved in our active programme of research and service evaluation, as well as teaching, supervision and consultation to other NHS teams.

We believe diversity is a strength and we particularly welcome applications from those underrepresented in psychology, i.e. minoritized racial, ethnic and cultural groups, as well as people from all marginalised groups, communities and backgrounds.

*Please note applications from a range of qualified professions are welcomed (see JD and person specification); DPsych Clinical/Counselling trainees who are in the final stages of completing their doctorate would be considered for this job provided they anticipate completion. However, special transitional arrangements will be put in place, if proof of qualification and HCPC registration have not been received by the start date, and provided all clinical placements have been passed.

Main duties of the job

o To provide specialist clinical input to the N&S CAMHS DBT Service's DBT-A programme, including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.o To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment and developing anti-racism knowledge and practice.o To provide clinical supervision as appropriate to junior members of the teamo To undertake service evaluation, audit and research projects.

About us

Flexible working:

The Trust is proud to offer flexible working as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday from 9a.m. to 5p.m. with occasional slightly earlier starts or later finishes in line with service needs - which will allow a good work-life balance. (This may include working early mornings, later evenings or Saturdays as part of the core working hours/working pattern for this post)

Maudsley Hospital (headquarters)

The N&S CAMHS DBT Service is based at the Michael Rutter Centre, De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AZ on the Maudsley Hospital site. Located at Denmark Hill less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2) and is within walking distance from the beautiful green spaces of Ruskin Park and the vibrant high-street that offers great shopping opportunities and with a wide range of restaurants.Due to move to the Pears Maudsley Children and Young People (PMCYP) at the Maudsley Hospital in early 2026)

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7800947

Job locations

Michael Rutter Centre

De Crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide specialist assessments with young people and carers to determine the appropriateness of DBT as a treatment for the young persons range of difficulties Provide individual, group and phone-consultation interventions to young people and their parents/carers in adherence with the evidence-based DBT model. Work with young people and families with complex histories and risk concerns, to support them to get the most out of DBT Assessing and managing risk and identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns as appropriate. Be part of a supportive DBT consultation team to support you and other therapists in working effectively within the DBT model. Provide training to other professionals on working with young people with emotion dysregulation and engaging in high-risk behaviours and on DBT more generally. Work with complex professional networks, including social workers, GPs, local CAMHS care coordinators, in order to most effectively support young people and their families. Support service-related research and service evaluation projects. Support service development and improvements.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide specialist assessments with young people and carers to determine the appropriateness of DBT as a treatment for the young persons range of difficulties Provide individual, group and phone-consultation interventions to young people and their parents/carers in adherence with the evidence-based DBT model. Work with young people and families with complex histories and risk concerns, to support them to get the most out of DBT Assessing and managing risk and identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns as appropriate. Be part of a supportive DBT consultation team to support you and other therapists in working effectively within the DBT model. Provide training to other professionals on working with young people with emotion dysregulation and engaging in high-risk behaviours and on DBT more generally. Work with complex professional networks, including social workers, GPs, local CAMHS care coordinators, in order to most effectively support young people and their families. Support service-related research and service evaluation projects. Support service development and improvements.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology*, or MSc PG Diploma or Doctorate in Counselling Psychology* or equivalent nursing / family therapy / occupational therapy / social work qualification. OR First level nursing qualification/registration RMN or RNLD or Post Grad Diploma Specialist Training
  • Registration (or eligibility for registration) with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist or equivalent professional registration with AFT, UKCP, NMC or other professional body.

Desirable

  • Foundational training in DBT
  • Additional trainings in DBT
  • Foundational training in DBT-PE or equivalent evidence-based treatment for PTSD
  • Experience in clinical supervision
  • Management qualification, management training course completion or line management experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of assessment and treatment of young people with self-harm and suicidality
  • Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience.

Desirable

  • Experience of group interventions with young people and parents/carers
  • Experience of developing and carrying out service evaluation and/or research projects.
  • Experience of delivering all modes of evidence-based DBT-A or DBT from having worked in a comprehensive programme

Understanding and Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of and commitment to evidence-based practice for working with young people who self-harm
  • Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
  • Knowledge of principles of risk management with this client group

Desirable

  • Knowledge of biosocial theory of BPD/emotion dysregulation and evidence-based treatment
  • Understanding and knowledge of Minority Stress and anti-racism principles

Skills

Essential

  • Skills in working with families/interventions with parents/carers/families
  • To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.

Desirable

  • Skills in working with young people engaging in risky behaviours such as substance misuse
  • Delivering teaching and training on self-harm and related topics to CAMHS clinicians

Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
  • Ability to work with young people with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASC
  • Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.

Desirable

  • Ability to treat co-morbidities such as OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD and eating disorders.
  • Ability to adapt DBT to work with minoritised groups
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology*, or MSc PG Diploma or Doctorate in Counselling Psychology* or equivalent nursing / family therapy / occupational therapy / social work qualification. OR First level nursing qualification/registration RMN or RNLD or Post Grad Diploma Specialist Training
  • Registration (or eligibility for registration) with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist or equivalent professional registration with AFT, UKCP, NMC or other professional body.

Desirable

  • Foundational training in DBT
  • Additional trainings in DBT
  • Foundational training in DBT-PE or equivalent evidence-based treatment for PTSD
  • Experience in clinical supervision
  • Management qualification, management training course completion or line management experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of assessment and treatment of young people with self-harm and suicidality
  • Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience.

Desirable

  • Experience of group interventions with young people and parents/carers
  • Experience of developing and carrying out service evaluation and/or research projects.
  • Experience of delivering all modes of evidence-based DBT-A or DBT from having worked in a comprehensive programme

Understanding and Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of and commitment to evidence-based practice for working with young people who self-harm
  • Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
  • Knowledge of principles of risk management with this client group

Desirable

  • Knowledge of biosocial theory of BPD/emotion dysregulation and evidence-based treatment
  • Understanding and knowledge of Minority Stress and anti-racism principles

Skills

Essential

  • Skills in working with families/interventions with parents/carers/families
  • To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.

Desirable

  • Skills in working with young people engaging in risky behaviours such as substance misuse
  • Delivering teaching and training on self-harm and related topics to CAMHS clinicians

Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
  • Ability to work with young people with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASC
  • Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.

Desirable

  • Ability to treat co-morbidities such as OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD and eating disorders.
  • Ability to adapt DBT to work with minoritised groups

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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Michael Rutter Centre

De Crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AZ


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Michael Rutter Centre

De Crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AZ


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Psychologist

Inez Lane

Inez.Lane@slam.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum inclusive of HCAs

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-CLI-7800947

Job locations

Michael Rutter Centre

De Crespigny Park

London

SE5 8AZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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