About this role
Job summary
This is a training role within Lewisham CAMHS and the Children and Young People's Psychological Therapies Programme (CYP-PT). The post-holder will work within the Lewisham CAMHS service providing interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. This intensive training post will equip the post - holder to provide interventions based on CYP-PT care principles and an evidence-based intervention consistent with their training course. The post- holder will work in the service for at least 2.5-3.0 days of the week using the newly developed skills whilst attending the training programme for the remaining 2.0-2.5 days.
The post holder will be a case manager, assessing and treating children with mental health difficulties presenting within your team context.
You will carry out risk assessments on children & young people in your care routinely and work under the supervision of the team manager and senior clinicians to manage these situations effectively.
You will work with other CAMHS practitioners in the service from all disciplines. You will be a member of a number of internal and external professional networks to ensure that care plans for individual children and services across agencies are co-ordinated efficiently and effectively. This post is a clinical post, and the expectation of time management is the majority of time is spent in actual clinical practice.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for committed and enthusiastic CAMHS practitioners who would like to undertake training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). You may be a nurse, social worker or occupational therapist or other professional with experience of working in CAMHS or transferrable skills. The successful post-holders will complete a post-graduate diploma through Kings College London, whilst working in one of our multi-disciplinary clinical teams. Two posts will be based in our CAMHS Horizon team and one in our community CAMHS team GP Youth Clinic. You will be expected to carry a clinical caseload, including delivering CBT therapy.
About us
Lewisham CAMHS is a thriving service serving a diverse inner London population. We provide comprehensive assessment and a range of evidence-based therapies. We have strong links to National and Specialist Services and to the IoPPN at KCL and are actively involved in clinically relevant research and PPI initiatives. The service has well-established connections with other local services including education and social care, and local voluntary agencies.
The posts are based in 2 of our teams:
Horizon CAMHS works with children and young people across the age range. We offer assessment and treatment to children and young people with more severe and complex mental health difficulties.
GP Youth Clinic works with young people age 13 to 18, we offer advice, consultation, assessment and treatment to children and young people with mild to moderate severity mental health concerns.
Each of our teams has a strong multi-disciplinary ethos with contributions from psychology, various psychological therapists, nursing, social work and psychiatry. Our teams are driven by their commitment and values and maintain a welcoming and supportive ethos and a commitment to evidence-based practice
Job description
Job responsibilities
You may apply for any or all of these training posts in Lewisham CAMHS with one NHS employment application.
These are training positions and so all candidates will also need to apply to KCL for the Post Graduate Diploma in CYP-PT Therapy in order to be shortlisted.
Please note that anyone starting an NHSE-funded course is required to wait two years after their graduation exam board before starting another NHSE funded course.
This full-time training will begin in January 2027 with around 2.5 days a week for academic work (teaching and personal study), and 2.5 days seeing clients within the service related to training assignments. Trainees will be both an employee of the service and an enrolled student at KCL. Upon completion, qualified trainees will receive a KCL Postgraduate Diploma.
Application Process
This is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with us, you must also complete a KCL application for the Course Team to review. The Course Teams will liaise with us on whether you meet the academic requirements for the course during the recruitment process. You will only be offered a KCL training place if you are successful in securing this post and you meet the university training requirements (such as academic background, relevant experience, visa approval).
You must be employed in a Recruit to Train funded job to also receive a place on the course, and vice-versa. If you are ineligible for the University Course, we will be unable to be offer the role. If you withdraw from an employment offer but you have accepted a university offer, you will be unable to join the course. Please note in this instance the course is not optional; the roles are dependent on meeting all course requirements. You must apply to the course at the same time as this job.
NB Please be aware that your application form may be shared with the KCL staff team as part of the recruitment process. By submitting your application to this role, you are agreeing to your details being shared for this purpose.
For candidates wishing to apply for KCL Courses: CBT
This course begins on 18thJanuary 2026.
You only need one application to KCL no matter how many Recruit to Train job posts you apply for.
For more information about the course and minimum entry criteria, please see the course page and brochures: CYP-PT Therapy PGDip (Recruit to Train (RtT)) (kings-cyp.com). Please also see attached documents for guidance re how to apply. Any queries on the course i.e. teaching/content can be sent to the course programme [email protected]
The KCL application link can be found here:
Login - King's Apply
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First level qualification in Occupational therapy, Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Social work, or equivalent with related CAMHS experience. oQualification as a Systemic Psychotherapist (Family Therapist) with relevant CAMHS experience. oFirst level qualification in art, drama, music therapy or psychotherapy (leading to a registered qualification with one of the above statutory bodies) with related experience in the psychological aspects of caring for children and adolescent with mental health problems/needs.
- Registration with one of the following statutory bodies: the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC), Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), UKCP or Social Work England.
Desirable
- Training in Clinical supervision Further post qualifying training and education in working with children and adolescents with mental health problems. ENB 998 or mentorship and or equivalent experience and training (Nursing only)
Experience
Essential
- Assessed supervised clinical experience working with children and adolescents with mental health problems/needs or clear evidence of transferable skills. Working in collaboration with supervisor, service user, carers and MDT in assessing needs, planning and implementing care Taking responsibility for care delivery in a specific area and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment A good understanding and some experience of the following: Group, individual and family work, multi-disciplinary work, clinical governance and audit and the process of clinical supervision in CAMHS
Desirable
- Working with families in a multi-racial urban environment
Knowledge / Skills
Essential
- A good working knowledge of the following: Mental health disorders in children and adolescents Difficulties common to Looked After Children e.g. attachment difficulties Key legislation relevant to CAMHS setting: The Children Act 1989, 2004 and The Mental Health Act 1983, Human Rights Act 1998 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 London Child protection procedures Assessment of risk and management of risk factors The principles of clinical governance and practice. The principles underlying confidentiality and information sharing
- Ability to work therapeutically with the client group, using a range of therapeutic. Ability to work under pressure. Ability to take on new concepts/forward thinking Good written and verbal presentation skills Basic IT and data entry skills to enter clinical information into databases. Ability to work within a changing environment Ability to be 'reflective' in therapeutic practice and adapt practice from this reflection Demonstrate an ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team interventions
Desirable
- Relevant research and its application to assessment, treatment and case management of CAMH disorders. Research informed and evidence-based methods of assessment, treatment and case management. Skill in using a specific therapy in practice
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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. 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 Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Kaleidoscope/ Leemore Centre/ Mulberry Hub/ 124 Hub
London
SE6 4JF
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)