Job summary
The post holder will work within a Specialist Assessments and Placement's Team to provide expert clinical leadership in the assessment, review and authorisation of specialist placements for children and young people with complex mental health, learning disability and autism needs.

Working across health, education and social care, the post holder will ensure that placement decisions are clinically appropriate, evidence based, person-centred and deliver value for money whilst improving outcomes for children and young people.

The role will support the Integrated Care Board in delivering statutory responsibilities relating to NHS Continuing Care, specialised commissioning, SEND, safeguarding, Transforming Care and national policy objectives aimed at reducing inappropriate inpatient admissions and out-of-area placements.

Main duties of the job

• Assess clinical needs and complexity through review of reports, documentation and supporting data and determine whether community-based alternatives to proposed placements have been fully explored e.g. support available from commissioned NHS community services/CYPMHS
• Provide expert clinical recommendations regarding the most appropriate placement and package of care.
• Ensure all recommendations are evidence based and consistent with national guidance.
• Provide expert advice to multidisciplinary teams/practitioners on ICB processes, funding criteria and evidence based commissioning
• Support the development of knowledge and skills, as a subject matter expert, in CYP legislation, policy and guidance and the presentation of clinical needs in the children's population within the placement's team.
• Support procurement of specialist services where appropriate.
• Contribute to contract monitoring and provider quality assurance.
• Provide professional clinical leadership regarding; Children's Mental Health, Learning Disability, Autism, Positive Behaviour Support, Trauma-informed care, Risk management.
• Support complex clinical decision making.
• Support resolution of complex interagency disagreements.
• Escalate safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Work within local safeguarding procedures.

About us
We are committed to a culture that supports all staff at NHS Kent and Medway to be the best version of themselves.

Our ability to improve outcomes for our population depends on how effectively clinical, operational, financial and strategic professionals work together to make informed commissioning decisions. That's why our workforce works a minimum of two days-a-week on-site, with the expectation that all one-to-ones are held face-to-face and that colleagues will regularly visit the services we are commissioning to understand more about them.

We believe regular on-site working supports stronger collaboration, faster problem-solving, peer learning, visible leadership and the integration of colleagues into our organisation. We also know that culture is built through shared experiences and day-to-day interactions.

We are a flexible working friendly organisation; we aim to support you to work flexibly in a way that will suit you and us.

We work with staff to agree objectives through regular supervision, annual appraisal and access to training opportunities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity. In order to reflect the diversity of our population, we positively encourage applications from all areas of the community regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Details
Date posted: 15 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pro rata per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 095-8337656-TS
Job locations: Gail House, Maidstone, ME15 6NB, United Kingdom

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD), Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist with current professional registration.

Desirable

• Degree in relevant professional discipline

Experience
Essential

• Significant post-registration experience working with children and young people

Desirable

• Experience managing highly complex cases

Competency
Essential

• Ability to analyse highly complex clinical information

Desirable

• Has a good working knowledge Children's Mental Health services

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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board
Address: Gail House, Maidstone, ME15 6NB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Associate Director MHLDA, James Kerrigan, jkerrigan@nhs.net

Apply through our website.