Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Lead Occupational Therapist Inpatient CAMHS
The closing date is 16 April 2026
* To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of highly specialist Occupational Therapy services within Collingham Child and Family Centre and the wider CAMHS Service Line.
* To manage own workload and a defined clinical caseload of children with complex emotional, behavioural and psychological difficulties, using evidence based and recovery principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment.
* To lead, develop and manage the occupational therapy provision for children with highly complex needs, using occupation focussed, evidence based and patient centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
* To lead the development and implementation of a recovery approach to care within the service.
* To provide clinical and managerial leadership for junior staff, through supervision and appraisal within the CAMHS Service Line Occupational Therapy staff.
* To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Trust Occupational Therapy Service.
* To offer occupational therapy/professional expert advice to Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) colleagues as required.
* To ensure that practice placement opportunities are offered to occupational therapy students.
* To regularly supervise occupational therapy students on practice placement.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide specialist, evidence-based and culturally responsive occupational therapy assessments and interventions. This includes comprehensive motor, sensory and functional evaluations, advanced clinical reasoning for diagnosis, care planning and goal setting, delivery of interventions individually and in groups, outcome monitoring, risk management, Care Programme Approach contributions, and supporting access to education, healthcare and community resources. The role works collaboratively with families, carers and partner agencies, providing consultation, training and guidance. Holistic care planning, including Education, Health and Care Plans, and smooth transitions between inpatient and community settings are also responsibilities.
Leadership involves coordinating and delivering occupational therapy and multidisciplinary services, supervising junior staff and students, and leading audits, service development and quality improvement initiatives.
About us
Collingham Child and Family Centre provides a specialist seven-day inpatient service for children under 13 experiencing mental health difficulties that cannot be safely managed in the community. The service supports recovery through evidence-based, multidisciplinary interventions within a family-centred and solution-focused framework. Families and carers are actively involved in all aspects of assessment and treatment, recognising their essential role in a child's progress. A holistic approach addresses each child's emotional, social, physical and developmental needs while fostering individual strengths and potential for change. The Centre benefits from an on-site school, ensuring continuity of education and future learning support. Collingham aims to provide a positive, therapeutic environment that promotes growth, resilience and meaningful community engagement.
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Provide specialist, culturally appropriate, evidence-based occupational therapy assessments as part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment for children, establishing and meeting occupational needs.
Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy assessment of motor, process and sensory development. Provide advice and ongoing intervention related to individual therapy needs.
Use validated, evidence-based standardised assessment tools (CAMHS/mental health & paediatric OT assessment tools).
Apply expert clinical reasoning to analyse complex assessment findings from standardised and non-standardised tools, medical reports, social services and education reports. Assist diagnosis, prognosis, progress and formulate uni- and multidisciplinary rehabilitation goals and outcome measures.
Carry out evidence-based occupational therapy both individually and in groups. Lead and supervise staff where required, in line with the Trust's OT Research and Development Strategy.
Plan, implement and manage highly specialist individual and/or group interventions collaboratively, enabling children to achieve valued goals and satisfactory occupational performance outcomes.
Support care plan development in partnership with individuals, ensuring personal recovery goals are strengths-based, reinforcing a positive identity and developing valued roles.
Leadership and Management
Provide robust support and guidance to junior staff, especially in the absence of seniors, coordinating day‑to‑day activities of junior staff, support staff and OT students.
Manage effective use of physical resources and supplies.
Participate in the delivery of CAMHS and Eating Disorders Service Line initiatives.
Service Delivery and Development
Ensure all assessments and interventions comply with the identified package of care for individual care clusters.
Safeguard the health, safety and welfare of young people at all times.
Encourage and support MDT colleagues to practice within a personal recovery framework, promoting social inclusion and self-management.
Contribute as a member of the multidisciplinary team to operational service and team objectives.
Offer occupational therapy/professional advice to other MDT service colleagues as indicated.
Participate in operational planning and implementation of policy and service development.
Contribute to the writing of local protocols regarding specialist OT knowledge.
Review and implement existing policies impacting CAMHS OT practice.
Actively encourage user involvement and co‑production principles in service development.
Person Specification
Essential & Desirable
* Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
* Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC) registered Occupational Therapist.
* Evidence of an active interest in further professional development with CAMHS, Paediatric &/or Mental health workshops and short courses.
* Post qualification experience working with children or young people with emotional and behavioural issues.
* Experience using standardised OT assessments.
* Experience in effective partnership working with external providers, promoting socially inclusive opportunities for children and young people.
* Experience managing resources such as financial, stock and equipment.
* Specialist knowledge and application of OT assessments, interventions and outcome measures relevant to the client group.
* Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
* Skills in producing timely, accurate and informative reports and notes.
* Excellent communication skills: written, verbal, listening, proficient use of IT systems, e‑mail, fax, telephone.
* Ability to understand and implement National Policies, Equal Opportunities and the Code of Ethics at an appropriate level.
* Postgraduate training in Sensory Integration.
* Practice Placement Educator’s Course.
* Experience working within a CAMHS setting.
* R&D experience at postgraduate level.
* Delivery of formal presentations and teaching sessions.
* Experience working with Information Systems.
* Experience monitoring untrained staff and students.
* Membership with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) and specialist sections.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
£58,133 to £65,261 a year p.a. inc hcas pro rata
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