Job summary
The post holder will provide clinical leadership and contribute to the development of Somerset's community-based Specialist (Tier 3) CAMHS service.

Based at Foundation House, Taunton, the postholder will primarily support children and young people from Bridgwater and the western area of Somerset. The successful applicant will work closely with a 0.9 WTE Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and a 0.6 WTE Specialty Doctor, with support from an ST4 CAMHS trainee when allocated.

The Consultant will be part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team comprising psychologists, nurses, social workers, family therapists, art psychotherapists, CBT therapists, mental health practitioners, and support workers, supported by dedicated operational, administrative, and secretarial staff.

The role includes providing psychiatric assessment and treatment for children and young people experiencing a range of mental health difficulties, as well as contributing to consultant cross-cover arrangements across Somerset CAMHS services. This includes providing cover for annual and study leave and participating in S12 and Approved Clinician cross-cover arrangements.

Main duties of the job
Please refer to the full job description attached to this advert, for full details of the main duties of this position

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details
Date posted: 01 October 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £113,565 to £150,569 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 184-OL-MED-FAM-5632
Job locations: Foundation House, Wellsprings Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 7PQ, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description for full details on the position and person specifications required to undertake ths tole

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MBBS, MBChB or equivalent
• Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
• Section 12 MHA approval or will be applying for this
• AC approval or will applying for this
• Success in Intercollegiate Specialty Examination or equivalent
• Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in child and adolescent psychiatry (Minimum 6 years training in psychiatry post residency/ foundation years)

Desirable

• Included on the GMC Specialist Register for CAMHS; or within 6 months at time of application

Experience
Essential

• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a range of problems in child and adolescent psychiatry
• Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients
• Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with young people, carers and allied professionals remaining sensitive and empathetic
• Listens to others' views respecting and valuing individual patient needs.
• Professional and patient focused approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
• Sufficient leadership, organisational, professional and personal skills to undertake effectively the role of consultant or Associate Specialist in a health community.
• Excellent oral & written communication skills -- including active listening skills, competency
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals problems
• Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems
• in English to a level that enables the role to be undertaken effectively and to assure the delivery of safe care to patients, the ability to understand and summarise a discussion, ask appropriate questions, provide constructive challenge and give effective feedback
• Experience in Safeguarding Children and working in partnership with children's social care and education
• Experience of audit management and clinical governance such as learning from serious incident investigation reviews
• Ability and willingness to work within the Trust and NHS
• Motivating, influencing and negotiating skills
• Enthusiastic, motivated, conscientious and ability to meet deadlines
• Enquiring, critical approach to work and objective evaluation skills
• Experience of teaching basic clinical skills to undergraduates
• Ability to teach every day clinical skills to medical students, junior doctors and MDT

Additional Criteria
Desirable

• Publications in peer-reviewed journals problems
• Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems

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: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Foundation House, Wellsprings Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 7PQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Deputy Clinical Director – CAMHS
Dr Arjuna Pattapola
Arjuna.pattapola@somersetft.nhs.uk
07825431607

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).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).