Medical Director – IMHS & Neurodevelopmental Pathways - CAMHS
Role Summary:
We are seeking a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist to act as Medical Director for a CQC-regulated Independent Mental Health Service (IMHS) and Neurodevelopmental (ADHD/ASD) pathway.
This is a senior clinical leadership role, responsible for designing, governing, and defending clinically-led service pathways that are treatment-focused, outcomes-driven, and fully CQC-compliant, while also supporting sustainable service growth through NHS, ICB, and Local Authority engagement.
This is not a sessional assessment role. It is a build, lead, and govern position with full clinical authority and service ownership.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Clinical Authority & Risk Leadership
* Act as final clinical decision-maker for high-risk CAMHS presentations, including self-harm, aggression, absconding risk, and complex neurodevelopmental cases
* Determine appropriate levels of care (admission vs community-based management) with clear documented rationale
* Authorise and oversee psychopharmacological treatment plans, including initiation, titration, and review
* Ensure all high-risk clinical decisions are fully defensible and appropriately documented
Outcome:
Consistently robust, audit-ready clinical decision-making across all high-risk cases.
2. IMHS Clinical Pathway Design & Governance
* Design, implement, and maintain the end-to-end treatment pathway:
* Intake → Assessment → Stabilisation → Therapy → Review → Step-down
* Define admission criteria, treatment goals, and discharge thresholds
* Ensure all placements demonstrate active, measurable treatment rather than containment
* Embed outcome tracking across all stages of care
Outcome: A clearly defined, CQC-defensible clinical pathway demonstrating active treatment and
recovery focus.
3. ADHD & Neurodevelopmental Service Leadership
* Own the clinical model for ADHD and neurodevelopmental assessment and treatment
* Ensure adherence to NICE-aligned diagnostic frameworks and prescribing standards
* Define diagnostic thresholds, assessment quality standards, and titration protocols
* Supervise clinicians and provide sign-off for complex or borderline diagnostic cases
* Maintain safe, scalable service delivery without compromising governance
Outcome: A clinically robust, scalable ADHD service with consistent diagnostic and prescribing
standards.
4. MDT Leadership & Clinical Integration
* Chair weekly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings (Psychiatry, Psychology, Nursing, PBS, OT/SALT where applicable)
* Lead formulation-based care planning with clear, measurable outcomes
* Ensure alignment across psychiatric, psychological, and behavioural interventions
* Drive accountability for outcomes at individual service user level
Outcome: Fully integrated MDT care plans with measurable clinical progress indicators.
5. CQC Compliance & Clinical Governance
* Lead clinical governance for all IMHS and neurodevelopmental services
* Oversee clinical audits, incident reviews, safeguarding escalation, and learning processes
* Ensure documentation standards meet and exceed regulatory expectations
* Act as clinical lead during CQC inspections and regulatory engagement
Outcome: A consistently inspection-ready service with demonstrable governance and learning systems.
6. Crisis Response & Out-of-Hours Clinical Oversight
* Define escalation thresholds from triage and out-of-hours services to psychiatric review
* Provide rapid clinical decision-making support for high-risk cases
* Ensure continuity and consistency of clinical decision-making across 24/7 operations
* Embed clear documentation standards for all out-of-hours interventions
Outcome: Safe, consistent, and well-governed clinical escalation across all service hours.
7. Commissioner & System Engagement
* Act as senior clinical interface with NHS ICBs, Trusts, and Local Authorities
* Support case discussions, placement decisions, and complex funding pathways
* Contribute to service design, transformation, and commissioning proposals
* Provide credible clinical justification for service models and packages of care
Outcome: Strong commissioner confidence leading to sustained referrals and commissioned
placements.
Scope of Practice:
* CAMHS (0–18), with appropriate transitional work into young adult services where clinically indicated
* Neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD and ASD)
* High-acuity, complex presentations requiring intensive MDT input and oversight
Essential Requirements:
* GMC registration with entry on the Specialist Register (Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
* Significant experience in:
* CAMHS crisis / Tier 3–4 services
* Neurodevelopmental assessment and ADHD prescribing
* High-risk community or inpatient CAMHS settings
* Demonstrable leadership of MDTs and clinical governance systems
* Strong experience working within regulated or inspected healthcare environments (CQC or equivalent)