Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic, flexible, and self-motivated individual who is passionate about making a meaningful difference to the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. If you are committed to delivering high-quality care, value collaborative team working, and are looking for a rewarding new challenge, this could be an excellent opportunity for you. Strong communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills are essential, alongside a motivation to support positive outcomes for young people and their families.

The Community Access Service (CAS) is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced CAMHS Practitioner to join our established and dedicated team. CAS has a strong commitment to improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people within schools and the wider community. This role provides the opportunity to deliver evidence-based interventions across a range of educational settings, helping to increase early access to support and ensure timely mental health care for young people.

Main duties of the job
As part of a comprehensive and dynamic CAMHS service, you will contribute to the delivery of a substantial stepped-care model informed by the needs-led THRIVE framework. The role offers the opportunity to develop and deliver a wide range of interventions, projects, and service developments that support whole-school and whole-community approaches to mental health. Alongside direct clinical work, you will contribute to wider system change initiatives designed to improve emotional wellbeing and create supportive environments for children and young people. The role also includes participation in multi-agency meetings, consultation services, and drop-in sessions, offering advice and guidance to schools, families, and community partners to ensure joined-up, collaborative support for children and young people.

The successful candidate will provide consultation, assessment, risk management, and therapeutic interventions for young people experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties within educational settings. In addition, the post holder will provide supervision and support to junior colleagues, helping to develop their clinical practice and professional skills.

About us
The Community Access Service forms part of East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), which includes five CAMHS services across East London, Bedfordshire, and Luton. The Bedford CAS is a busy multidisciplinary team that works closely with all specialist pathways across the North Bedfordshire service, including Crisis, Emotional and Behavioural, and Neurodevelopmental services. We are proud of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion and actively value the unique perspectives and experiences that each team member brings.

For further information, please contact Janine McNally, Operational Lead, Community Access Service, at Janine.McNally@nhs.net

Details
Date posted: 05 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum
Contract: Secondment
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 363-SSLB8133392-B

Essential qualifications and experience

• A qualification in Child Psychotherapy, Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Family Therapy, Social Work, Arts Psychotherapy or Nursing and Registration. Please do not apply for this role if you do not have one of the qualifications listed above
• At least two years' post qualification experience
• Understanding of current NHS/Social Care policies/practices relating to Mental Health and Services and understands the Child Protection Policy
• Previous experience of working in CAMHS
• Experience of working with a wide range of mental health problems commonly seen in CAMHS
• Experience of care planning
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary way

Desirable

• Parenting qualification and parenting supervision qualification
• Specific therapeutic modality training and qualification e.g. CBT, DBT, IPT and accreditation with BABCP etc.
• IAPT supervisors course
• Delivery of parenting programmes - Webster-Stratton, Triple P, NVR etc. Previous experience working with schools in mental health capacity
• Supervision of clinicians delivering parenting and manualised CBT interventions
• Experience of working in a culturally diverse inner city area
• Experience in crisis work
• Knowledge of development in inter agency partnership

Essential knowledge and skills

• A high degree of self-awareness and an ability to reflect on personal and professional attitudes and accept feedback
• Awareness of current national guidelines and policies in the field of CAMHS
• In depth knowledge of CAMHS issues including assessment and interventions
• Knowledge of The Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and associated legislation
• Knowledge of the Children's Act and other appropriate legislation
• Knowledge of standard setting and audit implementation
• A working knowledge of Child Protection Guidelines
• Evidence of well developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS
• Specialist clinical skills within specific therapeutic modalities
• Able to manage own time and caseload
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Evidence of ability to lead, support and influence others
• Able to work effectively across organisational boundaries
• Teaching skills, both in clinical setting and education centres
• Keyboard/computer skills
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• Self motivated, assertive and flexible
• Proven qualities in sustaining the mental, emotional and physical demands of specialised therapeutic work with disturbed and distressed children, adolescents and their families/carer networks
• Car driver essential
• Freedom to act: confined sitting position (therapy); travelling within community; keyboard skills
• Mental effort: writing reports; planning teaching; concentrating for therapy sessions/clinical supervision; managing psychiatric emergencies
• Emotional effort: dealing with families in breakdown; experiencing trauma and abuse; occasional patient complaints; conveying unwelcome news
• Working conditions: occasional abusive behaviour; unpredictable clinical scenarios e.g. emergency home visits; travel in community in all weathers

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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

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