Camhs Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary hours per week Band 6Are you looking for a newchallenge and rewarding career in Children and Young peoples Mental HealthServices within an evolvingteam?
CAMHSCrisis and Home Treatment Pathwayare looking for resilient, innovative, and motivated individuals who are passionate aboutimproving the lives and mental health of our young people.
Our pathway provides crisis support and intensive home treatment to youngpeople who are experiencing mental health crisis and emotional distress.
Theservice can be fast paced, and the ideal applicant will be extremely organisedand self-motivated to provide high quality assessment and formulation for theyoung people within the service.
We provide evidence-based assessments andinterventions for young people keeping with the principles of the iTHRIVEmodel.
The team provide a creative, trauma informed and pro-active approach in engaging young people andtheir families.
The individual will be able to work independently but also workwell in a team.This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.
Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
Main duties of the job The pathway has five functions:Crisis LiaisonTo respond to CYP presenting in mental health crisis at thelocal general hospital using a psychiatric liaison model to facilitate safe andtimely discharge.Crisis CommunityTo respond to CYP who present in crisis within thecommunity that have been referred in.
Clinicians will complete a psychosocialassessment, risk management and signpost.Home TreatmentThe team offer CYP an intense community approach to avoidhospital admission and provides step down support when discharged from a mentalhealth inpatient unit.ITASCCYP who have experienced multiple and complex trauma whichis impacting on their mental health.
Clinicians will further assess need withthe aim to get the CYP therapy ready as well as liaising with theirprofessional network.You will be well supported, with continuing opportunitiesfor professional development, support from your line manager and the rest ofthis dedicated team.
We have access to several relevant and excellent trainingprogrammes which include AMBIT, Solution Focus, Motivational Interviewing, DBTand other tools appropriate for this role.You will be offered a robust staff induction period whereyou will be supported to build on your knowledge and skills.Please refer to the relevantjob description which is attached to this job application/ vacancy for furtherinformation.
About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning socialenterprise delivering integrated health and social care services acrossPlymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts ofDevon and Cornwall.
Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sportscentres, and health hubs.As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, andcollaboration.
We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, whileempowering staff and those we serve.We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, inshaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the righttime and place.
Centering our work on individual needs helps people leadhealthy, independent lives.We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, trainingpathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the CareCertificate and Nurse Training Scholarships.
Our induction and preceptorshipprograms ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from allsections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mentalhealth, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities.
If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during theapplication process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities Our aim is:The team aims to provide apriority response to young people presenting at the local hospital or in thecommunity following episodes of self-harm or who are in mental health crisisthat require a specialist psycho-social assessment.
The role involves liaisonwith a wide range of services that support Children and Families.
ToOffer a specialist service for young people between the ages of 5 and 18 years,with complex and challenging mental health problems and are at high risk ofharm to themselves or others.Provideassessments for children and adolescents with mental health needs presenting atthe local Emergency Department (A&E) or who are on pediatric or aremedical outliers on adult wards.Provide a range of short-term intensive community-basedassessment and treatment options for children and adolescents and provideadvice and support to parents/carer.Facilitatethe process of admission and discharge from inpatient units.The postholder will work as part of the CAM which is a multi-Disciplinary team withinCAMHS.
The post holder will providedirect mental health treatment interventions to children, young people, andtheir familiesDirectclinical work with children/young people and their families including work inschools and other community settings within a multi-disciplinary team.
The postholders caseload is children and young people with challenging problems whichneed intensive support to minimise deterioration/improve outcomes for mentalhealth.
Consultation with professionals,colleagues, and parent/carers.The teamaims to provide a rapid and priority response to young people presenting at thelocal hospital who require a CAMHS assessment.It involves liaison with a wide range of services that support Childrenand Families.The roleincludes the ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team and toprovide leadership for more junior staff and students.
There will be a requirement to regularly work evenings and weekends andpublic holidays.
1a To improve children and young peoples mental health through the delivery of an integrated and coordinated system of community based mental health care to children, young people, and their families, providing safe, culturally competent, effective, cost efficient, timely and accessible services that are in accordance with national and local priorities and are responsive to the needs and views of local children, young people, and their families.
2a To support the delivery of consultation, liaison, and training to staff in Universal/targeted/specialist Services.
To also provide clinical input to the team, delivering practice within best evidence and to the highest possible standard.
The post sits within a multi-agency locality-based team within the city offering mental health assessment and treatment interventions in line with NICE Guidelines.
3a To contribute to a positive working environment and open learning culture, which supports high morale and commitment within the Community Mental Health Team promoting wellbeing, personal development, and continuous improvement in the standards of business activities and professional practice.
4a.
To work with children/young people/families and professionals working with them, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and contribute to the embedding of a positive message about maintaining good mental health.
5a The Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) will be supported to develop the ability to provide specialist and autonomous, culturally competent mental health assessment, formulation of and implementation of specific care plans and review for children and young people and their families/carers following a request for involvement.
The MHP will have skills that enable them to communicate that assessment in writing to the referrer and the General Practitioner.
This information may also be required to be copied to any other relevant parties involved in the young persons care, with the young persons permission where appropriate.
6a All Mental Health Practitioners (MHP) must use an evidence-based approach to develop and implement a specialist program of intervention to a defined caseload of children and young people.
These interventions will be based on a clear theoretical framework and will take full account of the child or young persons developmental needs, gender, ethnicity, religion, race, ability, and sexual orientation.
The MHP will need to develop their skills and knowledge enabling them to draw on a range of therapeutic interventions, for example different psychotherapeutic models, non- verbal therapeutic approaches and other techniques adapted for use with children and young people.
They will also need to develop an extensive knowledge of the full range of children and family services across all agencies.
7a Direct intervention by the MHP is undertaken according to the competencies of individuals.
As a Band 6 clinician the expectation will be that the clinician takes a lead role in the delivery of the service and supervise the junior members of the team.
It will be evidence based and informed by a clear theoretical framework.
The MHP will describe the planned care within a written care plan, review, and update, which has been signed by the child/young person and/or parent/carer.
8a The MHP will develop the skills and knowledge enabling to choose an intervention and deliver that from a range of therapeutic modalities including systemic practice, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy.
9a The post holder will be expected to draw upon experience and knowledge gained through training and practice relating to child development, child and adolescent mental health and adult mental health.
10a The MHP will demonstrate effective skills in the assessment and reassessment of risk and communicate concerns accurately in a timely fashion.
This is inclusive of priority assessments and requires multi-agency responses to risk assessment and risk management plans.
11a The MHP will develop skills and knowledge enabling them to make an autonomous decision about the time of discharge, and agree with the child, young person, and family/carers as well as multi-agency key partners.
Communicate a summary of the work undertaken and how to sustain improvements made and include correspondence to General Practitioner.
12a The MHP is required to maintain high effective standards in the recording of clinical observations and actions, risk and risk management including child protection in health records.
13a The MHP will provide schools, and/or other community venues, with access to individual and small group therapeutic interventions for those pupils who require it, including working with families.
14a All MHPs work with families at their homes, education, and community settings and at base as appropriate/required by children/young people and their families.
15a The MHP will strongly adhere to culturally competent and anti-discriminatory practice, promote equity of opportunity, and use their professional position to empower others and challenge power imbalances where they are found to exist.
16a The MHP will provide consultation to staff in partner agencies and may be required to support junior staff in attendance at meetings/ EHAT/CP meetings.
Consultation is offered to all professionals to identify the nature and level of the childs mental health need so that an appropriate CAMHS response can be defined and actioned.
17a Offer consultation and support to CAMHS wider system 18a All MHPs promote the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people 19a The MHP will play a major role in encouraging and co-coordinating collaboration between all agencies by attending multi-agency meetings such as multi-agency EHAT meetings, child protection case conferences, education reviews etc., to provide a mental health perspective.
20a The MHP will be required to have excellent and effective communication skills, applicable to working both with young people, their families, and professional systems.
Acting as a point of liaison between specialist CAMHS and universal services to ensure improved communication and collaboration via a range of different interfaces, forums, and meetings , presenting at meetings within Plymouth.
21a The post holder will be required to contribute to the delivery of education and training to professionals in multi-agency universal services.
22a Contribute to team 23a Contribute to the development of team protocols and clinical practice, proposing changes for discussion.
Maintain good activity records and input them onto the electronic recording system in a timely manner.
24a Maintain good activity records and provide them in a timely manner for inputting onto the electronic system.
Person Specification Circumstances Essential Ability to travel across Plymouth Ability to work flexibly (hours of work and duties) both as an individual and with other colleagues in Livewell Southwest and with partner agencies.
Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments where required.
Desirable Car owner/driver or suitable alternative transport to enable you to undertake the job.
It is unlikely that public transport will meet this requirement.
Adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Skills Essential Mental Health and Risk assessment, care planning, evaluation, and intervention skills Well established case management skills and good organizational skills with ability to prioritize Well-developed communication skills both oral and written Commitment to anti-oppressive practice Ability to work in partnership and in collaboration with others, both in and out of own agency/professional background.
Commitment to own learning and professional development.
Reflective Practitioner Culturally competent assessment and intervention skills Specific therapeutic skills relevant to working with children and families Consultation skills.
Training skills Self-motivating and able to work on own initiative Experience Essential Experience (both work and life related) Experience of working in a multi-agency and/or multi-disciplinary context.
Experience of working with the care systems both directly with Children and young people and professionals within the care system.
Experience of post-registration working with children and young people who have experienced mental health difficulties.
Experience in assessment, inc risk, care planning, intervention, and evaluation.
Maintaining own safety in Community settings by working within relevant policy and having completed or be willing to complete breakaway training or equivalent.
Experience of effective working with families of different cultural backgrounds.
Experience of working within multi-agency safeguarding systems , child protection conferences, child in need meetings Desirable Experience in the delivery of training.
Qualifications Essential Core qualification in any Mental health modality such as Nursing / CPN/ Social Work Appropriate Registration relevant to professional qualification Post graduate training qualification in methods of working with children with mental health problems, , counselling, systemic practice or post grad diploma in child and adolescent mental health Knowledge Essential Knowledge of relevant legislation and documents pertaining to children, , Children Act 2004, Child Protection, National Service Framework, Every Child Matters etc.
Learning Disability specific legislation and documents, Aiming High for Disabled Children, Valuing People, Mansell report, Mental Capacity Act.
Knowledge of a range of mental health problems and disorders affecting children and young people who are in care.
Knowledge of theories of child development and their application to practice.
An understanding of resilience and vulnerability Knowledge of different models of therapy, , Applied Behavior Analysis and at least one other therapeutic modality , CBT, Psychodynamic psychotherapy, solution focused therapy etc.