Job summary
As an autonomous practitioner you will play a key part in the delivery of high-quality service provision that promotes and improves the mental health and well-being of children and young people, their families and carers. Managing a complex caseload within the multi-disciplinary team setting, the post holder will provide a range of high-quality care appropriate to the child or young person's needs which will include full mental health assessment, risk assessment and management, family and social assessment, consultation and therapeutic interventions.
You will provide advice, information, consultation and supervision within the service and externally within your specialist area.
As part of working together you will actively liaise with and support robust partnership working arrangements between the CAMHS team and community partners and other key stakeholders involved with the child across agencies in order that an integrated package of care is developed.
You will work as specialist practitioner with the team providing assessment, treatment and consultation for children, adolescents and families grounded in the principles and techniques of child & adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy. As a specialist resource, you will offer specialist consultation and training to colleagues and staff from partner agencies.
Main duties of the job
To provide a clinical service in coordination with other CAMHS /Tier 4 inpatient unit team members through agreed referral processes. The post holder will work as specialist practitioner with the team providing assessment, treatment and consultation for children, adolescents and families grounded in the principles and techniques of child & adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapy. As a specialist resource, they will offer specialist consultation and training to colleagues and staff from partner agencies.
To work closely with the service manager and senior leadership team to develop and monitor quality assurance systems to ensure effective assessment, planning, intervention and review practice to deliver good outcomes for children, young people and families
To work collaboratively with the colleagues and multi-disciplinary professionals within the team and other agencies to support complex decision-making in the management of risk and the promotion of positive outcomes for children and young people and families.
To support CAMHS Managers to promote a culture of continual improvement in the quality, diversity and performance management of services
To work with others to ensure that effective team communication systems are in place and that staff comply with departmental and CSU wide policies and procedures.
Alongside others to support the organisation of staff supervision, appraisal and staff continuing professional development within the context of the service as a whole.
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Supporting Documents section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Supporting Documents section and once opened, you can where either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Person Specification
Registration
Essential
- You must be registered/accredited with the Association of Child Psychotherapist
Qualifications
Essential
- You must have a recognised qualification. Recognised qualifications are: Doctoral level training in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy from ACP affiliated training school AND ACP registration
Desirable
- ADOS trained
- Certificate in supervision skills
- Additional post graduate training in psychological therapies and interventions
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working with children and young people with autism and social communication difficulties
- Relevant experience and training in multi-disciplinary assessments of ASD in children and adolescents
- Proven experience of working effectively with people with mental health difficulties, including autonomous management of a complex caseload which frequently deals with distressing and emotional circumstances
- Experience of hard to reach diverse community groups and individuals with emerging complex needs, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities and safeguarding
- Experience of assessing and managing risk: including safeguarding
- Experience of developing and providing evidenced based assessments, formulations, and care plans and effective use of ROMS
- Experience of liaison and working with a range of other relevant agencies and professionals, including managing difficult conversations and differences of opinion.
- Experience of mentoring and supervision of others, including supporting the mental health and wellbeing of junior staff and trainees
- Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and a willingness to follow Trust Policy and Procedures
Desirable
- Experience of providing a variety of interventions for children and young people with mental health problems and their families
- Community mental health experience across a variety of settings
Person Specification
Registration
Essential
- You must be registered/accredited with the Association of Child Psychotherapist
Qualifications
Essential
- You must have a recognised qualification. Recognised qualifications are: Doctoral level training in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy from ACP affiliated training school AND ACP registration
Desirable
- ADOS trained
- Certificate in supervision skills
- Additional post graduate training in psychological therapies and interventions
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working with children and young people with autism and social communication difficulties
- Relevant experience and training in multi-disciplinary assessments of ASD in children and adolescents
- Proven experience of working effectively with people with mental health difficulties, including autonomous management of a complex caseload which frequently deals with distressing and emotional circumstances
- Experience of hard to reach diverse community groups and individuals with emerging complex needs, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities and safeguarding
- Experience of assessing and managing risk: including safeguarding
- Experience of developing and providing evidenced based assessments, formulations, and care plans and effective use of ROMS
- Experience of liaison and working with a range of other relevant agencies and professionals, including managing difficult conversations and differences of opinion.
- Experience of mentoring and supervision of others, including supporting the mental health and wellbeing of junior staff and trainees
- Understanding of the principles of Clinical Governance and a willingness to follow Trust Policy and Procedures
Desirable
- Experience of providing a variety of interventions for children and young people with mental health problems and their families
- Community mental health experience across a variety of settings
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).
