Main area CAMHS Practitioner Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) Job ref 285-1255-CYPF
Employer Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Canalside Town Bloxwich, Walsall Salary per annum Closing 15/08/2025 23:59
CAMHS Single Point of Access Practitioner – Band 5 to 6 Development
NHS AfC: Band 5
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability, and community healthcare services for the population of the Black Country.
Across the whole of the region we provide:
* Adult and older adult mental health services
* Specialist learning disability services
* Mental health services for children and young people
* Community healthcare services for children, young people and families in Dudley
Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 April 2020, with the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Combining resources, strategies and talented workforce enables us to deliver a wider variety of outstanding services that are based on best practice and are continually improving.
We currently employ over 4,000 people and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Whatever your role, working in a NHS Foundation Trust, like ours, is a demanding and extremely rewarding experience. Knowing that every day you can help to make a positive difference to someone’s life is a very powerful feeling. We know that our Trust runs on this desire to help and support people, and our Trust vision expresses this. Our vision is to improve health and wellbeing for everyone, especially our colleagues to achieve the best possible work/life balance.
We proudly offer supportive, inclusive and family friendly employment and flexible working policies. We have a wide range of professional services and employee networks to help our colleagues be at their best - and find support if they need it. To find more about our staff benefits, please visit our website: blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk.
Don’t meet every single requirement?Studies have shown that women and ethnic minority candidates are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Black Country Healthcare we recognise and value all forms of knowledge and expertise, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification or criteria in the job description/person specification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
For further supporting information to help you apply for this role please see documents attached under ‘Additional documents’.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the workforce in a new role for our CAMHS Single Point of Access for the Black Country. The service has recently undergone a change management process to move into one centralised CAMHS Single Point of Access from the previous locality based teams in the Black Country. The service will centralise the management of all incoming referrals for young people with emotional well-being and mental health needs across the Black Country, covering Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton boroughs.
Successful candidates will be recruited into band 5 positions and developed to progress into band 6 positions upon completion of the development framework over an expected 18 months to two year period.
We are seeking qualified practitioners to join our vibrant and passionate team, facilitating young people's access to mental health services in the Black Country. The posts are suitable for both newly qualified and experienced professionals looking to transition into a career in CAMHS.
We welcome applicants from a range of professional backgrounds who hold a recognised core qualification and registration with an appropriate governing body such as NMC, HCPC and Social Work England.
Main duties of the job
Upon appointment:
· To provide a quality specialist service to clients (and their families/carers) referred to CAMHS across all sectors of care
· To promote the reputation of CAMHS
· Effectively assess and prioritise clinical complexity and risk, liaising with senior colleagues as required
· Liaise with referrers and professionals in relation to clinical concerns and queries
· Be a clinical point of contact for children, young people and families.
· Effectively liaise with referrers, professionals, partners and agencies in relation to referrals and/or assessments
In addition to the above, progressing to:
· Triage referrals into CAMHS, including the assessment and prioritisation of clinical complexity and risk.
· To contribute towards referral and triage pathways and processes within CAMHS
· To provide specialist assessment and intervention for complex mental health needs and to work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise systematic governance of practice within CAMHS.
· To contribute to the proposal, development and implementation of policy and procedures for CAMHS and wider children and family services.
Working for our organisation
We currently employ over 3,000 members of staff and just like the population we serve, we are made up of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Whatever your background or education, working in a healthcare setting like ours is a demanding yet extremely rewarding experience. We offer exciting and rewarding career opportunities in a variety of fields, from nursing, psychiatry, counselling and pharmacy to admin and support roles such as IT, estates and facilities and human resources.
We take pride in supporting, developing and engaging with our workforce. Staff engagement, recognition and wellbeing are vital to the success of our organisation, and we strive to provide a setting in which our staff can showcase their skills, innovative solutions and dedication to healthcare.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Upon appointment:
· To support in the provision of specialist systematic processes for the assessment of children and young people referred into CAMHS. To assess, triage and prioritise referrals ensuring an equitable system and that those with urgent needs are clearly identified and needs are addressed in a timely manner.
· To consider the appropriateness of CAMHS referrals in relation to agreed referral criteria and organise safe signposting as appropriate to the needs of the child/young person referred.
· Ensure pathways into CAMHS are accessible for children, young people and families with additional needs e.g., a learning disability.
· To gather comprehensive information from a range of community children/young people’s services and to liaise with services around assessment outcomes and safeguarding concerns.
· To practice within the guidelines as set out by appropriate professional bodies.
· To be responsible for the maintenance of accurate records and documentation.
· To participate and contribute to service development and to ensure trust policies are adhered to.
· To liaise with other agencies/disciplines to contribute to the provision of a comprehensive service for children and adolescents with a mental health needs including advocacy and signposting where appropriate.
· To be responsible for setting the highest standards of care in line with clinical governance.
· To demonstrate good professional practice. To be a professional role model and provide clinical supervision, where agreed, in line with trust policies and standards.
· To complete specialist assessments, outcome measures and care plans for specific diagnoses associated with child and adolescent mental health.
· To encourage positive health education and promotion with children and adolescents who have mental health needs and their families/carers to reduce ill health.
· To work collaboratively with other disciplines/voluntary agencies.
· To undertake risk assessments as appropriate.
· To participate and facilitate where appropriate in person centred planning for children and adolescents with a mental health need.
· To work in liaison with adult mental health services and other agencies to ensure transitional arrangements are meeting individual needs and are person centred.
· To provide written and verbal reports for meetings and reviews as appropriate.
· To work in liaison with trust safeguarding leads and other agencies regarding child and adult protection and ensure that policies and procedures are adhered too.
· To actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.
· To attend such courses and training as indicated by the needs of the service and within the limitation of the service as required by the post.
· To communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families/carers, health and social care professionals and other agencies to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service.
· To apply highly developed interpersonal skills in order to deal with potential aggression or with patients who may be distressed, suicidal or lack capacity.
· To communicate complex and emotionally sensitive information to patients and their families/carers regarding their mental health needs, plans of care and interactions with outside agencies demonstrating honest and transparent practice.
· To participate in all relevant team, staff, departmental and organisational meetings.
· To participate in clinical audit service evaluation and research. Initiate, assist or co-operate with research.
· To undertake outcome measurement and evaluation of own practice through evidence based practice projects, audits and outcome measures.
· Record work using the appropriate information technology system. It is vital that events are promptly recorded in order to facilitate effective management of unstable situations.
· Supply information on workload as required by the team leader.
· Maintain all appropriate records as required by the Black Country Partnership Foundation Trust (NHS) in accordance with local policy.
· Ensure that there is effective liaison between the multi-professional team concerning patient care.
· To attend and participate in clinical/ departmental and team meetings as required by the service.
· To effectively manage own time in relation to clinical and non-clinical activities.
· To review and reflect on own practice and performance through regular participation in professional/clinical/management supervision and appraisal
· In line with local guidelines, review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional supervision and appraisal. To develop areas of knowledge and skill to assist in dealing with complex situations.
· To complete and maintain all mandatory training within timescales identified by the Trust.
· Continue personal and professional development and be prepared to undertake relevant training as appropriate to post.
· To respect the individuality, values, sexual preference, and cultural and spiritual diversity of patients, and contribute to the provision of a service that is sensitive to their needs.
· Communicate and promote the visions, values, objectives and priorities of the Trust effectively to staff, partners and the public.
· To undertake any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this post in order to provide a quality CAMHS service.
In addition to above, progressing to:
· To provide specialist systematic process for the assessment of children and young people referred into CAMHS. To assess, triage and prioritise referrals ensuring an equitable system and that those with urgent needs are clearly identified and needs are addressed in a timely manner. The post will require independent management of caseload with appropriate supervision and professional management, as per professional body guidelines.
· To provide highly specialist assessments of clients referred to CAMHS based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex information from a variety of sources including self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients and their families/carers.
· To provide effective and safe assessment of safeguarding concerns. Liaising and reporting to other agencies where appropriate, including the completion of safeguarding referrals and safety planning.
· To exercise professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment, signposting and discharge of clients.
· To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual clients and their families/carers.
· To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner in both written and verbal form, information concerning the assessment and treatment plans of clients referred to CAMHS.
· To provide post-qualification training (CPD) and clinical professional supervision to junior staff, students or trainees in relevant profession.
· To provide advice, consultation and training to staff working with the client group across a range of agencies and settings, where appropriate.
· To participate as a clinician in the development of a high quality, responsive and accessible service, including advising both service and professional management on those aspects of the service where professional and/or organisational matters need addressing.
· To exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of professional practice within the SPA.
· To assist in on-going audit and evaluation of policies within the SPA in consultation with other members of the multi-disciplinary team(s), service heads/professional managers.
* To undertake any other duties of a similar nature consistent with the responsibilities of this post in order to provide a quality Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service .
Person specification
Qualifications
* Core profession and full registration with a recognised professional body
** Please Note that Internal at Risk Employees will be given preference for this position**
We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward for this vacancy at any time should we receive an overwhelming response of applications. We therefore encourage applicants to apply early if you wish to be considered for this post.
If you do not hear from the recruitment 4 weeks within the advertised closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage. Please ensure that you check your emails on a regular basis for any recruitment updates regarding this vacancy. If you are not successful at the shortlisting stage and would like feedback, please contact the Recruitment Team directly for feedback.
The salary range quoted is as per NHS Agenda for Change pay structures. This is based on the number of years’ working directly within the NHS at the advertised pay band. Experience gained with other NHS Trusts will apply, but candidates without prior experience working direct for the NHS would normally be appointed at the lowest point unless they can demonstrate the equivalent experience and then be eligible for incremental increases in future years.
Successful applicants for clinical posts up to and including Band 4 are expected to hold the national Care Certificate qualification and will be supported to attain this once in post.
The Trust is committed to equal opportunities, providing opportunities for flexible working and is a non-smoking organisation.
As a Trust we are passionate about Anti-Racism, Disability Inclusion, and LGBTQ+ Equality, and are committed to diversifying our staff team in all areas and at all levels of seniority to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. Therefore, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from people who belong to a minority or marginalised community, including from Black and Asian, Disabled (including hidden disabilities such as Neurodiversity, Mental Health, etc), or Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans or Queer (LGBTQ+) people.
Furthermore, Disabled applicants have the option of requesting that their application is considered under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS). Please indicate your intention to apply under the GIS in the relevant section of your application. Regardless of whether you participate in the scheme or have shared a disability, you will be provided the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the interview process at each stage of the recruitment process.
Due to the nature of the work some posts may be subject to a Standard Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, through the Disclosure and Barring Service as stipulated under part V of the Police Act 1997. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us; this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances of your offences.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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