Lead for Psychology and Psychotherapy Croydon CAMHS

Job Summary Croydon CAMHS are looking to recruit a Lead for Psychology and Psychotherapy for the service. The role will consist of 2 days protected for the Lead P & P role and remaining 3 days will be dedicated clinical time. About the role As local Lead for Psychology & Psychotherapy you will provide professional leadership to the psychology and psychotherapy staff working across Croydon CAMHS. This will also involve leading, managing and planning the delivery of a highly specialist psychology and psychotherapy service to Croydon CAMHS and personally providing expert clinical input. You will also ensure the carrying out of research, service evaluation and audits relevant to Croydon CAMHS and the CAG research agenda. Main duties Clinical and Client Care (KR1) Plan, organise and ensure the delivery of psychological services within Croydon CAMHS. Plan and organise the integrated delivery of psychological services with other agencies and service providers and ensure co‑ordination of psychological therapy with other services. Provide highly specialist psychological therapy assessments, formulations and interventions for children, young people, families and carers. Provide culturally appropriate psychological therapy interventions. Assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans. Ensure that all services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities served by Croydon CAMHS. Act as care/CPA co‑ordinator, keyworker, taking responsibility for initiating planning and reviewing care plans, CPA co‑ordination and meetings. Team or Service Clinical Functioning (KR2) Work with leads/managers of other SLaM services to plan and deliver joint services that are integrated around the needs of service users. Coordinate (and chair) team and service meetings for the service to ensure effective functioning and review when appropriate. Ensure the effective working of the team or service and a psychologically informed framework for the service. Lead in ensuring the team or services ability to deliver accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities. Be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services. Advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of children, young people, families and carers. Liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals to develop and review care plans. Utilise theory, evidence‑based literature and research to support evidence‑based practice in individual work and work with other team members. Liaise with the service/s MDT and other professionals. Policy and Service Development (KR3) Lead on strategy development and the development of policy and guidance for application in the service; interpret and implement policy. Plan, initiate, implement and ensure appropriate service developments to improve the quality and delivery of services. Ensure the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities. Participate in, or lead when appropriate, Trust and Directorate strategic development and implementation of new initiatives. Lead in the development and application of clinical governance standards within the service and ensure that these are maintained and improved. Ensure that services to children, young people, families and carers are of a high quality and are managed efficiently. Care or Management of Resources (KR4) Be responsible for the management of psychological resources. Ensure the service has sufficient materials and equipment. Act as an authorised signatory for the service. Ensure the cleanliness, safe functioning and use of equipment. Monitor and advise on safe use of materials and processes. Ensure adequate confidential and safe storage for artefacts. Obtain, store, maintain necessary materials and equipment within budgetary constraints. Estimate future needs and request or order supplies as needed. Management and Supervision (KR5) Deputise when appropriate for the Head of Psychology and Psychotherapy for CAMHS. Provide leadership to psychological practitioners and other professionals. Ensure appropriate systems for clinical and professional supervision. Lead recruitment and appraisals of psychological practitioners. Manage allocation and review of work; initial stages of grievance or disciplinary action. Provide professional, clinical and management supervision to less senior practitioners, assistants and trainees. Teaching and Training (KR6) Organise access to and provide specialist clinical placements for trainee applied psychological practitioners. Plan, organise and deliver teaching and training for pre and post‑qualification practitioners and other professions. Maintain an active awareness of current developments in psychological therapy and implement knowledge gained in practice. Disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles. Record‑keeping and Information Governance (KR7) Ensure all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures. Maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, including electronic data entry. Research and Development (KR8) Plan, initiate and complete research, service evaluation and audits relevant to the service and directorate research agenda. Initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement and assessment. Maintaining Professional Standards and Continuing Professional Development (KR9) Receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior practitioner. Maintain own Continuing Professional Development in line with registered body and Trust requirements. Maintain current knowledge of professional and clinical practice and legislation. Comply with registered body Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics. Ensure all psychological practitioners under leadership maintain professional standards and CPD. General (KR10) Travel to home visits, community placements, meetings and across the Trust when required. Be aware of risk of aggressive and challenging behaviour and follow Trust policies. Respond appropriately to emotionally distressing situations such as challenging behaviour, abuse, etc. Work flexibly, possibly including late clinics or Saturday working, within overall Job Plan. Work closely with Corporate Psychology and Psychotherapy for consistent staff support and quality improvement projects. Qualifications (Essential) Recognised qualification in one of the core Psychological Therapy professions. Entry‑level qualification in applied psychological therapy or equivalent; demonstrable practice in this field. Accepted for professional registration. Registered or accredited by a professional body (HCPC, UKCP, BABCP, etc.). Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body. Additional training beyond entry‑level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice (e.g. CBT, DBT, family therapy) through formal post‑qualification training or equivalent portfolio. Desirable Qualifications Formal leadership training. ADOS training or other neuro‑developmental assessment training. Formal supervision training. Experience (Essential) Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in Child & Adolescent mental health. Experience of undertaking leadership roles. Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with complex needs. Experience of supervising assistants and trainees who have completed the relevant training. Post‑qualification experience supporting work with diversity in local communities. Desirable Experience Senior leadership and management experience within a CAMHS team. Knowledge (Essential) Knowledge of the theory and practice of management and leadership. Advanced theoretical knowledge of child & adolescent psychopathology and evidence base. Advanced knowledge of the theory of psychological practice/processes and therapeutic application. Awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics. Advanced knowledge and experience in the administration of relevant assessment tools. Skills (Essential) Deliver specialist psychological therapy across cultural and other differences. Select and administer specialist assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data. Communicate skillfully and sensitively complex information with children, young people, families and carers, overcoming barriers. Plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individuals and groups, including CPA and case reviews. Plan allocation of tasks to assistants/trainees as appropriate. Abilities (Essential) Work effectively within a multi‑disciplinary team; contribute to effective team functioning. Identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance. Develop and use complex multi‑media materials for presentations. Maintain concentration and remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions; manage unexpected interruptions. Manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self‑harm or aggressive behaviour. Commitment to anti‑racist and culturally competent practice; demonstrate understanding of structural inequality and racism impact on mental health outcomes. Additional Information Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires Submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service. 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 other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Employer South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Christopher Wren House 113 High Street, Croydon, CR0 1QG Website: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr