Southern Health and Social Care Trust
SHSCT CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner Band 7
SHSCT CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner Band 7
ArmaghOn-Site
FTCPart-Time
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Description
Advertised role location: St Luke's Hosp-Longstone-Cedarwood
Official document: CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner JD 55999587 (docx)
CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner (Temporary)
CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner (Temporary)
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner
BAND
7 (Temporary)
DIRECTORATE
Children, Young People and Women’s Services
INITIAL LOCATION
Trust wide Service (Based at Cedarwood, Armagh)
REPORTS TO
Line / Professional Manager
ACCOUNTABLE TO
CAMHS Head of Service
ROLE OF PRACTITIONER:
To guide the development of inter and intra agency systems to support the delivery of evidence based clinical interventions for the management and treatment of children and young people with co morbid mental health and substance use problems within the SH&SCT Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
JOB SUMMARY
The role of the post holder will involve providing a substance use service to children and young people under 18 with substance use problems; building links with trust wide substance use services including adult addiction services and community based drug agencies across the stepped care model. The post holder will provide Substance use / mental health consultation to partner agencies.
The post holder will play a key role within CAMHS in developing structures which support the effective management and care of under 18’s with mental health and substance use co-morbidity. They will work within the multi-disciplinary CAMH teams alongside other senior members of CAMHS.
The post holder will complete mental health/substance use assessment and manage children and young people with substance use in partnership with other professionals and agencies.
The post holder will assess the psychosocial and physical factors relevant to the treatment of children and young people who use substances. This will include planning; implementing, evaluating needs led interventions.
The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, to include evenings and weekends as required.
KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
CLINICAL
Provide initial and individualised assessment including emergency liaisons, care planning, treatment and therapeutic programmes to children / young people, families, groups and/or their parents or carers, in CAMHS.
Be highly skilled, competent and knowledgeable in sensitively engaging in therapeutic work with vulnerable children / young people and families.
Take lead responsibility for clinical work and case management, linking in with MDT, seeking consultation / supervision as necessary.
Be competent in assessing and managing risk in all aspects of the post, including clinical as well as generic risk assessment and management.
Provide treatment in a range of settings as determined by need, working collaboratively across specialist community CAMHS, as per the CAMHS Stepped Care Service Model and outreach where appropriate.
Utilise a range of theoretical perspectives in best understanding and responding to the emotional and mental health needs of children, young people and their families (e.g. individual, multidimensional, systemic, etc).
Participate in devising and delivering therapeutic programmes to children and young people in accordance with best practice guidelines, current legislation, NICE guidelines and recommendations of professional bodies.
Involve users / carers where appropriate in aspects of intervention and treatment programmes.
Work in collaboration with other practitioners in providing the established services and in new developments. This will include multi agency working, providing advice and guidance to medical, nursing staff and social work staff in CAH/DHH on the management of children and young people who have been referred to CAMHS.
Report response to intervention and treatment and other relevant clinical issues to the Line Manager.
Engage in on-going evaluation of care plans and communicate and update others accordingly.
Attend case planning meetings, case conferences, paediatric, psychiatric wards, or school based meetings as required.
Provide advice and consultation to users and carers, and other professionals where appropriate.
Adhere to the Regional Child Protection Policy and Procedures seeking support, advice and making child care / safeguarding referrals accordingly.
PROFESSIONAL
Comply with the Professional Codes of Conduct and regulatory governing bodies standards of practice and guidelines.
Adhere to established policies, procedures, protocols within CAMHS and Trust.
Appropriately and without undue delay seek support and consultation regarding clinical, management or professional issues.
Liaise with and develop positive partnerships and relationships with other professionals across CAMHS.
Participate in regular shared learning activities and developmental experiences across CAMHS.
Initiate continual professional development including keeping abreast of changes and developments in CAMHS, such as Promoting Quality Care Good Practice Guidance on the Assessment and Management of Risk.
EDUCATION
Initiate the preparation and provision of appropriate training to multi-professional groups, in agreement with Line Manager.
Ensure that practitioners have information relating to current good practice.
Initiate, develop and promote the introduction of new and Innovative practices within the confines of governance and legislative requirements, and in agreement with Line Manager.
Participate in the orientation and induction of new staff.
Participate in the education and mentoring of students and other trainee professionals.
ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Work collaboratively within CAMHS, fostering good communication and team spirit across Core, Liaison, Referral Coordination and Community Intensive Intervention Service.
Work collaboratively with service users, carers and providers within the voluntary, private and statutory sectors.
Adhere to legislation e.g. The Children Order NI (1995), Mental Health Order (1986), and Human Rights Legislation.
Provide and participate in appraisal and development activities.
Participate in team meetings, student mentorship, training of others, selection and recruitment process, and professional development, as directed by Line Manager.
Provide clinical, management and professional supervision to other practitioners in agreement with Line Manager. Adhere to Supervision Policy and Procedures.
Keep Line Manager and Professional Lead informed of clinical, management and professional issues.
Be directly responsible and accountable to the Line Manager for their part in the provision of an effective and efficient CAMHS.
Adhere to all SHSCT policies and procedures e.g. absenteeism, incidents/accidents/near misses, complaints, record keeping, etc.
Contribute to the ongoing development of working practices and procedures within the area of CAMHS.
Ensure all records and documentation is completed and maintained in line with professional practice guidelines, CAMHS and Trust policies.
Complete statistical recording of activity, caseload, outcomes, etc for auditing, statistical returns and capacity planning purposes.
Initiate and participate in all relevant audit and research activities.
Participate in the Trust’s Social and Clinical Care Governance arrangements.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The post holder will be required to:
Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
Smoke Free policy
IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour
Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.
This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.
November 21
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE AND BAND CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner - 7
DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Children, Young People and Women’s Services
SALARY
HOURS 15
Ref No: <to be inserted by HR> April 2026
Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.
Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment
Experience
Four years’ post qualifying experience of working within Mental Health services or services related to child and adolescent or CAMHS to include 1 years experience working with young people or adults who substance use.
Experience in assessment and care planning of children / young people or adults with substance use.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Qualifications/ Registration
Registered Nurse level 1 (Parts 1, 3, 5 or 8) on the NMC Register
OR
Professional Social Work qualification (CQSW / CSS / BSW / DipSW) AND be registered or have lodged an application with the NISCC.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Other
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment.
Shortlisting by Application Form
SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:
Skills / Abilities / Knowledge
Knowledge of Substance Use / Mental Health issues in relation to children and young people.
Ability to work as a member of a Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Be willing to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service or willingness to work flexibly to include evenings and weekends as required to meet the needs of the service.
Have an excellent understanding of individual, family and group therapies.
Have an excellent understanding of assessment and management of risk.
Effective Planning & organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload.
Effective communications skills to meet the needs of the post in full.
Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively.
Ability to work to tight timescales whilst meeting targets.
Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality and safe services with an ability to drive a culture of continuous improvement.
Commitment to training and development relevant to CAMHS.
Interview / Test
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted
Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment
Experience
Evidence of having undertaken relevant post-basic training.
Experience of working in the community.
Experience of psychotherapies, counselling and motivational interviewing techniques.
Ability to articulate a theory base regarding;
Substance use
Children Order (1995)
Human Rights Act (1998)
Mental Health Order NI (1986)
Child protection and safeguarding issues
Shortlisting by Application Form
As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.
Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times
Official document: CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner JD 55999587 (docx)
CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner (Temporary)
CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner (Temporary)
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner
BAND
7 (Temporary)
DIRECTORATE
Children, Young People and Women’s Services
INITIAL LOCATION
Trust wide Service (Based at Cedarwood, Armagh)
REPORTS TO
Line / Professional Manager
ACCOUNTABLE TO
CAMHS Head of Service
ROLE OF PRACTITIONER:
To guide the development of inter and intra agency systems to support the delivery of evidence based clinical interventions for the management and treatment of children and young people with co morbid mental health and substance use problems within the SH&SCT Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
JOB SUMMARY
The role of the post holder will involve providing a substance use service to children and young people under 18 with substance use problems; building links with trust wide substance use services including adult addiction services and community based drug agencies across the stepped care model. The post holder will provide Substance use / mental health consultation to partner agencies.
The post holder will play a key role within CAMHS in developing structures which support the effective management and care of under 18’s with mental health and substance use co-morbidity. They will work within the multi-disciplinary CAMH teams alongside other senior members of CAMHS.
The post holder will complete mental health/substance use assessment and manage children and young people with substance use in partnership with other professionals and agencies.
The post holder will assess the psychosocial and physical factors relevant to the treatment of children and young people who use substances. This will include planning; implementing, evaluating needs led interventions.
The post holder will be required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, to include evenings and weekends as required.
KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
CLINICAL
Provide initial and individualised assessment including emergency liaisons, care planning, treatment and therapeutic programmes to children / young people, families, groups and/or their parents or carers, in CAMHS.
Be highly skilled, competent and knowledgeable in sensitively engaging in therapeutic work with vulnerable children / young people and families.
Take lead responsibility for clinical work and case management, linking in with MDT, seeking consultation / supervision as necessary.
Be competent in assessing and managing risk in all aspects of the post, including clinical as well as generic risk assessment and management.
Provide treatment in a range of settings as determined by need, working collaboratively across specialist community CAMHS, as per the CAMHS Stepped Care Service Model and outreach where appropriate.
Utilise a range of theoretical perspectives in best understanding and responding to the emotional and mental health needs of children, young people and their families (e.g. individual, multidimensional, systemic, etc).
Participate in devising and delivering therapeutic programmes to children and young people in accordance with best practice guidelines, current legislation, NICE guidelines and recommendations of professional bodies.
Involve users / carers where appropriate in aspects of intervention and treatment programmes.
Work in collaboration with other practitioners in providing the established services and in new developments. This will include multi agency working, providing advice and guidance to medical, nursing staff and social work staff in CAH/DHH on the management of children and young people who have been referred to CAMHS.
Report response to intervention and treatment and other relevant clinical issues to the Line Manager.
Engage in on-going evaluation of care plans and communicate and update others accordingly.
Attend case planning meetings, case conferences, paediatric, psychiatric wards, or school based meetings as required.
Provide advice and consultation to users and carers, and other professionals where appropriate.
Adhere to the Regional Child Protection Policy and Procedures seeking support, advice and making child care / safeguarding referrals accordingly.
PROFESSIONAL
Comply with the Professional Codes of Conduct and regulatory governing bodies standards of practice and guidelines.
Adhere to established policies, procedures, protocols within CAMHS and Trust.
Appropriately and without undue delay seek support and consultation regarding clinical, management or professional issues.
Liaise with and develop positive partnerships and relationships with other professionals across CAMHS.
Participate in regular shared learning activities and developmental experiences across CAMHS.
Initiate continual professional development including keeping abreast of changes and developments in CAMHS, such as Promoting Quality Care Good Practice Guidance on the Assessment and Management of Risk.
EDUCATION
Initiate the preparation and provision of appropriate training to multi-professional groups, in agreement with Line Manager.
Ensure that practitioners have information relating to current good practice.
Initiate, develop and promote the introduction of new and Innovative practices within the confines of governance and legislative requirements, and in agreement with Line Manager.
Participate in the orientation and induction of new staff.
Participate in the education and mentoring of students and other trainee professionals.
ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Work collaboratively within CAMHS, fostering good communication and team spirit across Core, Liaison, Referral Coordination and Community Intensive Intervention Service.
Work collaboratively with service users, carers and providers within the voluntary, private and statutory sectors.
Adhere to legislation e.g. The Children Order NI (1995), Mental Health Order (1986), and Human Rights Legislation.
Provide and participate in appraisal and development activities.
Participate in team meetings, student mentorship, training of others, selection and recruitment process, and professional development, as directed by Line Manager.
Provide clinical, management and professional supervision to other practitioners in agreement with Line Manager. Adhere to Supervision Policy and Procedures.
Keep Line Manager and Professional Lead informed of clinical, management and professional issues.
Be directly responsible and accountable to the Line Manager for their part in the provision of an effective and efficient CAMHS.
Adhere to all SHSCT policies and procedures e.g. absenteeism, incidents/accidents/near misses, complaints, record keeping, etc.
Contribute to the ongoing development of working practices and procedures within the area of CAMHS.
Ensure all records and documentation is completed and maintained in line with professional practice guidelines, CAMHS and Trust policies.
Complete statistical recording of activity, caseload, outcomes, etc for auditing, statistical returns and capacity planning purposes.
Initiate and participate in all relevant audit and research activities.
Participate in the Trust’s Social and Clinical Care Governance arrangements.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The post holder will be required to:
Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
Smoke Free policy
IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour
Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.
This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.
November 21
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE AND BAND CAMHS Senior Substance Use Practitioner - 7
DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Children, Young People and Women’s Services
SALARY
HOURS 15
Ref No: <to be inserted by HR> April 2026
Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.
Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment
Experience
Four years’ post qualifying experience of working within Mental Health services or services related to child and adolescent or CAMHS to include 1 years experience working with young people or adults who substance use.
Experience in assessment and care planning of children / young people or adults with substance use.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Qualifications/ Registration
Registered Nurse level 1 (Parts 1, 3, 5 or 8) on the NMC Register
OR
Professional Social Work qualification (CQSW / CSS / BSW / DipSW) AND be registered or have lodged an application with the NISCC.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Other
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment.
Shortlisting by Application Form
SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:
Skills / Abilities / Knowledge
Knowledge of Substance Use / Mental Health issues in relation to children and young people.
Ability to work as a member of a Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Be willing to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service or willingness to work flexibly to include evenings and weekends as required to meet the needs of the service.
Have an excellent understanding of individual, family and group therapies.
Have an excellent understanding of assessment and management of risk.
Effective Planning & organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload.
Effective communications skills to meet the needs of the post in full.
Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively.
Ability to work to tight timescales whilst meeting targets.
Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality and safe services with an ability to drive a culture of continuous improvement.
Commitment to training and development relevant to CAMHS.
Interview / Test
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted
Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment
Experience
Evidence of having undertaken relevant post-basic training.
Experience of working in the community.
Experience of psychotherapies, counselling and motivational interviewing techniques.
Ability to articulate a theory base regarding;
Substance use
Children Order (1995)
Human Rights Act (1998)
Mental Health Order NI (1986)
Child protection and safeguarding issues
Shortlisting by Application Form
As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.
Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times
