South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
CAMHS Crisis Team Senior Practitioner

The closing date is 28 July 2026

Job summary
Lewisham CAMHS Crisis team have an opening for a senior Practitioner to join the team. This role is suitable for Registered Nurses and Allied Professionals.The successful candidate will be part of a small team that works with colleagues across Lewisham CAMHS and the South London Partnership as well as Paediatric Team at University Hospital Lewisham. This role exists to contribute to Crisis Care, particularly through clinical presentations at University Hospital Lewisham A&E.The post holder will deliver high quality, safe crisis care, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence which comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct. As a CAMHS Crisis Team Senior Practitioner you will support the Team Leader and junior colleagues to promote and develop excellent clinical practice. You will be a positive role model to junior members of the team through the practice of evidence-based care. You will be expected to support professional development by contributing to the ongoing educational programme for all staff and students, fostering a positive learning environment.The service currently operates between the hours of 9am and 5pm, however the aim is to develop a more responsive service with aspirations of moving to a 24 hour service in future.

Main duties of the job
The Lewisham CAMHS Crisis Team is a Multi-disciplinary Tier3 CAMHS Service that works with young people who attend University Hospital Lewisham in a crisis. Children and adolescents who present, have a range of mental health disorders and distress. Some present with self-harming behaviour or suicidal ideation. Others have mental health disorders including psychosis or severe mental ill-health. The team undertake mental health assessment, formulation, risk planning and refer onwards for longer term interventions.

The team is currently composed of a Consultant Psychiatrist and CAMHS Nursing colleagues; though experienced professional applicants from other health care related backgrounds would be welcomed.

We work closely alongside wider tier 3 CAMHS teams, specialist tier 4 services and inpatient settings as required. The team work in collaboration with complex networks around the young person including social care, education, residential services and other healthcare providers.

About us
About the Location
The team is based at Kaleidoscope Children's Centre which is a short walk from Catford stations or Ladywell Station. Crisis assessments are undertaken at University Hospital Lewisham and follow up appointments are offered at Kaleidoscope.

Benefits:
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer.

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Details
Date posted: 15 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year
per annum inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 334-NUR-7890694-TA-A
Job locations: Kaleidoscope Children's Centre with an expectation to assess young people in A+E in University Hospital Lewisham
Lewisham
SE6 4JF
United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.

Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential Criteria

• First level nursing qualification/registration
• Registered General Nurse and/or Registered Mental Nurse and/or Registered Learning Disability Nurse,
• ORClinical registration in a healthcare profession including therapy, social work, clinical psychology
• All applicants will require professional registration with a statutory body

Desirable Criteria

• Masters degree
• Mentorship qualification

Experience and Knowledge
Essential Criteria

• Experience working in CAMHS / acute setting
• Experience of research-based / reflective practice.
• Significant relevant clinical experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Knowledge of clinical governance and audit
• Knowledge of adult and child safeguarding
• Knowledge of mental health legislation and of the practical application of MH law.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of taking responsibility for a ward / clinical unit.
• Experience as a preceptor / mentor

Skills and Knowledge
Essential Criteria

• Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service users needs.
• Ability to supervise clinically
• Teaching ability.
• Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations.
• Approachable.
• Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others.
• Loyal and able to advocate for and show pride in the work area and organisation.
• Forms very effective working relationships with colleagues.
• Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity.

Desirable Criteria

• Ability to manage a team

Other Requirements

• Empathy for service users including individuals who have experienced mental health 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.

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: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Kaleidoscope Children's Centre with an expectation to assess young people in A+E in University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham, SE6 4JF, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Service Lead
Gillene Thomas
02032284927

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.