Job summary
We are looking to appoint an exceptionally skilled Clinical/Counselling psychologist to support the delivery of highly specialist assessments and interventions for children and young people with moderate to severe mental health disorders.
The role will require excellent skills in engaging with young people, their families and others involved in their care and education. It will also require excellent organisation and communication skills (verbal and written) and an ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
The successful candidate will be assertive, work well within a team and be passionate about providing a high-quality service. We are looking for a candidate who is efficient and inspired by the idea of making a difference.
Key Responsibilities
* To provide specialist input to the assessment, formulation and treatment planning of children with complex mental health concerns and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. This will be based on the post holder's specialist and advanced theoretical knowledge of psychological theories, up to date knowledge of literature and evidence-based practice to make formulations about clinical presentation and to contribute to intake assessment clinics for a wide range of children and young people who present with mental health and/or neurodevelopmental difficulties in Croydon CAMHS.
* To provide Clinical leadership for implementation of the KIT programme, a programme which provides an opportunity to engage with young people and families at an earlier stage in their journey with CAMHS. KIT will offer a range of interventions, information and support for those waiting for assessment and treatment and a way to clarify what Croydon CAMHS offer and what service users should be able to expect.
* To provide specialist clinical psychology skill, therapeutic input and consultation to other staff members to support their assessments and treatment planning. Children will have a range of presentations including anxiety, low mood, and may have suspected or diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders.
* To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a lead specialist in a Tier 3 CAMHS service.
* To undertake service evaluation, audit and research.
* To work as an autonomous professional within BPS and HCPC guidelines and codes of conduct and guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, taking responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters.
* To agree outcomes and to decide how they are best achieved in collaboration with the clinical/professional lead.
About us
Croydon CAMHS Treatment team
The Croydon CAMHS specialist mental health assessment and treatment team offers assessment and intervention to those referred with concerns about complex mental health problems that require a multidisciplinary approach. It is based within a lively and supportive CAMHS service with opportunities for working with clinicians based in other teams.
The team offers generic and specialist CAMHS placements to Clinical Psychologist trainees on the IOPPN and Salomon's D.Clin Psych courses. Croydon CAMHS regularly offers training placements to psychiatrists, nurses, CBT practitioners and to systemic therapists. There are strong links with researchers at KCL.
This post provides an opportunity to work in a well-established, highly skilled and flexible team of clinicians who are committed to engaging young people and their carers and supporting professionals working within a child or young person's network.
Details
Date posted: 08 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £61,631 to £68,623 a year per annum incl. HCAs Pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 334-CLI-7390767-A
Job location: Christopher Wren House, 113 High Street, Croydon, CR0 1QG
Job responsibilities
* Provide a highly specialist psychology service to a tier 3 CAMHS service including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.
* Contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by creating a psychologically safe environment.
* Provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a lead specialist in a Tier 3 CAMHS service.
* Undertake service evaluation, audit and research.
* Work as an autonomous professional within BPS and HCPC guidelines and codes of conduct, guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, interpreting policies within defined parameters.
* Agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and decide how they are best achieved.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Essential: Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) accepted by the HCPC for professional registration. Can include Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychology.
* Essential: Additional training in a diagnostic tool (e.g., ADOS, ADI) and in a trauma intervention (e.g., Trauma-focused CBT or EMDR).
* Essential: Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, with continuing professional development as required by the HCPC.
* Desirable: Completed training course in clinical supervision.
Experience
* Essential: Experience of clinical assessments, formulation and interventions with children and young people.
* Essential: Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of children with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in CAMHS.
* Essential: Experience working with and addressing issues of diversity within local communities (via work, research, volunteering or lived experience).
* Essential: Experience developing and carrying out research projects.
* Essential: Significant experience of working with diverse populations and understanding anti-racism in the workplace and its impact on staff and client groups.
* Desirable: Evidence of advanced practice and clinical experience as a clinical psychologist working with children within CAMHS.
* Desirable: Experience supervising junior clinical staff; evidence of service development, leadership and quality improvement projects.
Knowledge
* Essential: Specialist and transferable psychological knowledge relevant to working with children and young people with moderate to severe mental health needs and/or challenging behaviour.
* Essential: Knowledge of legislation related to client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities including the Children Act, child protection procedures, and the Mental Health Act.
* Essential: Doctoral-level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis.
* Desirable: Specialist advanced knowledge of clinical and practice issues for children with complex mental health presentations.
Skills
* Essential: Deliver psychological therapy in at least two models, including adapted CBT for children and young people with complex MH difficulties and across diverse groups.
* Essential: Select and administer specialist psychological assessments, interpreting complex data from multiple sources.
* Essential: Skilled in administration of psychometric tests with complex materials.
* Essential: Consultation skills for multi-professional teams.
* Essential: Well-developed IT skills for research data entry and analysis.
* Desirable: Advanced ability to adapt therapeutic work for children with complex MH presentations and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Abilities
* Essential: Proven ability to engage therapeutically with the client group using a range of interventions.
* Essential: Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
* Essential: Ability to maintain concentration during observations, assessments and interventions and handle interruptions or changes.
* Essential: Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma.
* Essential: Ability to develop and use complex multimedia materials for presentations.
* Desirable: Advanced ability to work with diverse populations and to offer therapeutic support to children and families with complex presentations.
Other information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a DBS disclosure will be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship will be considered. For details see UK Visas and Immigration guidance.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for details.
Employer details
Employer: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Christopher Wren House, 113 High Street, Croydon, CR0 1QG
Website: slam.nhs.uk
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