Job summaryThis post is open to enthusiastic clinicians currently working at Band 7 who are keen to develop their clinical, professional, supervision and leadership skills to progress to an 8a post.
Hammersmith & Fulham CAMHS is a well-established multidisciplinary Specialist Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service based at 48 Glenthorne Road, W6 0LS.
West London CAMHS employs family therapists across many specialties, including generic CAMHS, Crisis CAMHS, Eating Disorders, Neuro-developmental Conditions and Learning Disabilities, providing ample opportunity for networking with colleagues and sharing expertise.
As a Systemic & Family Psychotherapist within West London CAMHS, you will have good opportunities for continuing professional development and support with career progression.
West London CAMHS has developed new and innovative ways of working. Staff provide a combination of face-to-face clinical contact and contact via virtual platforms, resulting in onsite and remote working. All staff are provided with a laptop and mobile phone to support this agile way of working.
Main duties of the jobThe post holder will join the Tier 3 NDLD Team and carry out specialist assessments of children and young people with complex mental health presentations, documenting outcomes and providing formulation, diagnosis and recommendations for interventions. They will offer individual, family and group systemic therapy interventions, including risk management.
The successful applicant will work alongside other family therapists in a family therapy clinic and hold an individual caseload. You will receive regular clinical, professional and management supervision, with support to develop supervisory skills in readiness to supervise Band 7 Family & Systemic Therapists. We offer in-house and external training opportunities, e.g. Narrative Therapy, NVR and CYP-IAPT, and specialist placements through links with local family therapy training providers.
We are looking for a CAMHS Specialist Systemic & Family Psychotherapist committed to creative engagement with a culturally diverse population of young people, who shows initiative, works well in a team and communicates clearly with professionals and young people. Knowledge, competence and an interest in working with children with complex mental health needs are essential. You will need flexibility and the skills and experience to provide high-quality, evidence-based and client-focused care.
About usWest London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
DetailsDate posted: 21 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £58,133 to £73,496 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 222-LS-CAMHS-817
Job locations: H&F CAMHS, London, W6 0LS, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesThe Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person SpecificationQualifications and TrainingEssential- Post-graduate training in systemic family therapists as accredited by IFT or AFT.
- Professional registration with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- Relevant first profession experience or the equivalent (e.g. criteria laid down by UKCP for "grandparent" and "APEL" route to qualification as Family Therapists)
Desirable- Training in CYP/IAPT
- Systemic supervision training
ExperienceEssential- Experience of practice in relevant first profession or the equivalent.
- Experience of work with children and adolescents in a mental health or equivalent setting
Desirable- Experience of other treatment approaches
- Experience of teaching, supervision and/or consultation
- Experience of NVR (non violent resistance) approach.
- Experience of research and audit
KnowledgeEssential- Evidence base in relation to child and adolescent mental health
- Research and research methodology at post-graduate level in relation to children and adults with mental health and social problems
- The impact of abuse, trauma and other adverse experiences on children, young people and families.
- Legislation and DOH guidelines relevant to child and adolescent mental health e.g. Mental Health Act 1983, Children Act 1989
- Child protection policies and procedures.
- Child development in relation to mental health difficulties.
- Knowledge of other modalities (i.e. psychoanalytical, biological, cognitive, behavioural etc.) sufficient to engage appropriately with colleagues and their work with clients
Desirable- Specialist knowledge in one or more areas of systemic therapy.
SkillsEssential- Skills in working with children and families with mental health and social problems using a variety of approaches coherent with a systemic perspective.
- Ability to apply analytical skills to multi-layered complex cases.
- Ability to formulate comprehensive assessments and offer effective treatment based on systemic principles.
- Ability to provide ongoing treatment in complex, often unstable, and frequently changing circumstances.
- Ability to liaise with and manage complex professional networks in relation to individuals and families.
- Skills in consulting to professional colleagues within and outside CAMHS
- Ability to withstand high levels of emotional distress and think clearly in emotionally charged situations.
- Ability to manage the risk of verbal and physical aggression. Ability to manage and plan own workload of complex cases.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable- Willingness and ability to work in co-operation with others.
- Physically able to withstand the effort of working in conditions of stress
Administration and Record KeepingEssential- Competent in the use of clinical recording systems such as RIO.
- Understands the process for keeping safe, secure and relevant clinical records
- Understands and is able to use online incident reporting systems.
Attitude, Aptitude and Personal CharacteristicsEssential- Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills.
- Treats service users with respect and dignity at all times.
- Enthusiastic, flexible and confident approach to working.
- Able to prioritise own workload.
- Willingness and ability to learn new skills and adapt to change.
- Honesty, enthusiasm and a sense of loyalty Conducts self in a professional, courteous manner at all times
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: West London NHS Trust
Address: H&F CAMHS, London, W6 0LS, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Principle Systemic Family Therapist, Diana Alvis Palma, dianaalvis.palma@nhs.net
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. 
