Mental Health Practitioner

Job responsibilities

To support you in this role, you will receiveregular clinical and management supervision sessions and access to a variety of CPD sessions. The teamis clinically led andyou will also have the opportunity to participate in weekly clinical discussions with the team.

Staff well-being is central to the work the team undertakes and are committed to supporting flexible working patterns and have embedded processes to promote well-being, including regular team debrief, well-being activities and shared breakfasts/lunches

This post is based in Bedford, Bedfordshire, close to the M1 and easily reached by rail and car from North London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The clinic also has access to some on-site free parking and all clinicians are supported by very dedicated and efficient administrative staff. Whilst some of the work is based in the clinic, access to a car is essential as some travel will be required to facilitate outreach support at home or other camhs/ multi-agency sites.

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Essential

• Education/ Qualification/ TrainingA qualification in Child Psychotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Family Therapy, Mental HealthNursing, Counselling Psychology, Social Work or other equivalent profession Nursing Registered Mental Health/Learning Disabilities Nurse Relevant post-graduate qualification in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Substance mis-use or equivalent (e.g. ENB 603) Clinical Psychology Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) Registration with HPC Family Therapy Qualification in appropriate mental health/social welfare profession such as Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Nursing or Counselling Masters or Doctoral level qualification in Systemic Psychotherapy or AFT agreed equivalent UKCP Registered Child Psychotherapy Honours degree. Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Psychoanalytical Observational Studies or recognised equivalent. Masters in Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy: Child and Adolescent. Registered member of ACP Counselling Psychology Postgraduate Doctorate in Counselling Psychology or its equivalent. Registration with HPC Social Work Recognized Social Work qualification such as Diploma in Social Work with an MA in Social Studies, or Degree level Social Work qualification or CQSW. or other relevant discipline and relevant basic qualifications

Experience

Essential

• At least 18 months of working in CAMHS or equivalent setting, ie adult mental health services with younger adults
• Experience of working in community mental health and working with a multi-agency network
• Experience of managing and supervising junior staff
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting
• Experience of working in or liaising closely with multi agency teams working with adolescents e.g. Youth Services, YOT etc
• Experience of working with vulnerable young people who present with high risk behaviours

Desirable

• Experience of using CBT
• Specialty CAMHS experience (e.g. YOT/Eating Disorders/ Adolescent Inpatient ward/work in substance abuse)

Skills

Essential

• Evidence of well-developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS, including mental health assessments and therapeutic interventions
• Advanced skills in particular therapeutic approaches
• Proven ability to work with children and young people in distress or through psychiatric emergency
• Experience of working sensitively with distressing material that may have serious implications to young people and their families.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-agency team
• The ability to maintain and represent a CAMHS identity within a multi- agency setting, including managing the dynamics of a team within a team, i.e. The Specialist Workers in that context.
• The ability to participate in training within a multi-agency professional setting. (for example children's social care, youth services, YOT)

Desirable

• Computer skills
• Establishing and running groups.

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of potential barriers and resources within a multi-agency setting that affect mental health and are relevant to children, young people and their families
• Knowledge of Systemic family work
• Knowledge of CBT and group work
• Knowledge of the, Mental Health Act and associated legislation including Child Protection Procedures
• Understanding of best practice in staff supervision and development

Desirable

• Issues which impact on care delivery
• Knowledge of outcome measures.
• Awareness of current national guidelines and polices in the field of CAMHS
• Knowledge of the Children Act

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).