CAMHS Clinician – AAP: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

Are you a band 7 clinician who is looking for a new challenge?

Do you have a wealth of knowledge about autism and wanting to improve the experience of the diagnostic processes for young people?

We are really pleased to be offering an exciting new opportunity to a band 7 clinician who has an in-depth understanding of autism, developing ability to work autonomously and an interest in service development. The Autism Assessment Pathway (AAP) accepts referrals for young people living in Bedfordshire and Luton who are over the age of 13. Our aim is to develop a service that effective, innovative and supportive to the young people and families that it serves. If you would like to join us at this pivotal time, we would very much like to hear from you.

The Autism Assessment Pathway is held within the CAMHS Neurodevelopmental team (NDT) who offer assessments and creative interventions to children and young people who have Autism and/or intellectual disabilities. The NDT is part of Bedfordshire CAMHS which is a large, dynamic and successful CAMHs service comprising of 3 emotional and behavioural teams, a LAC team, a CAMHs schools team, a parent-infant psychotherapy team, a paediatric team, a GP team, an adolescent mental health team, a crisis team and an eating disorders service.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for experienced clinicians who are able to offer standardized autism assessments using tools such as ADOS, 3DI or ADI-R.

The Autism Assessment Pathway is held within the CAMHS Neurodevelopmental team (NDT) who offer assessments and creative interventions to children and young people who have Autism and/or intellectual disabilities. The NDT is part of Bedfordshire CAMHS which is a large, dynamic and successful CAMHs service comprising of 3 emotional and behavioural teams, a LAC team, a CAMHs schools team, a parent-infant psychotherapy team, a paediatric team, a GP team, an adolescent mental health team, a crisis team and an eating disorders service. We also have embedded workers in Early Help, CDC and social care. We offer regular opportunities for staff to undertake individualised CPD, and we provide opportunities for staff wishing to ‘act up’ into more senior roles on occasion.

Our clinics are readily accessible from North London or Milton Keynes and Northampton (Bedford). ELFT offers attractive recruitment packages and we are committed to offering our staff the opportunity to develop their skills.

The successful post-holder will directly contribute to the positive working environment within the multi-disciplinary team. The post-holder will require a high degree of professional autonomy and self-management, and will be required to account for their professional practice through appraisal and audit.

Person Specification

Education, Training and Qualifications

Essential

• A qualification and professional registration in Child Psychotherapy, Clinical Psychology, Family Therapy, Nursing, Social Worker, Speech and language Therapy, Occupational Therapy
• Clinical Psychology: Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996)
• Registration with HPC
• Family Therapy: Masters or Doctoral level qualification in Systemic Psychotherapy or AFT agreed equivalent
• UKCP Registered
• Child Psychotherapy: Honours degree. Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Psychoanalytical Observational Studies or recognised equivalent. Masters in Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy: Child and Adolescent.
• Registered member of ACP
• Nursing: Mental Health Nurse Level 1 (RN3, RNMH, RNLD, RSCN in sub part 1 of the NMC Register)
• ENB 998 or equivalent
• Social Worker: Recognised Social worker degree qualification or equivalent
• Registered with Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
• Speech and language Therapy: Recognised Speech and Language Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
• Registered Member of Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
• Occupational Therapy: Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent
• Registration with Health Professions Council
• Evidence of successful completion of post graduate courses relevant to Autism
• Evidence of successful completion of post graduate diagnostic training such as ADOS, 3DI

Desirable

• Relevant specialist CAMHS trainings or qualifications

Experience

Essential

• Experience of providing specialist assessment, psychological formulation of problems and interventions using evidence based models of care
• Experience of developing and delivering specialist training programmes and/or supervision of other staff groups.
• Experience of participating in audit, evaluation and research activities.
• Experience of contributing to policy and service development.
• Additional relevant clinical and / or managerial experience.

Desirable

• Experience of working with a range of CYP in a CAMHS setting

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to provide a specialist clinical service, including specialist assessments, formulation and therapy from at least one therapeutic modality such as CBT.
• A willingness to supervise assistant psychologists and members of other staff groups as professional registration allows.
• Able to design and deliver teaching/training programs to a range of staff groups.
• Aware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health.

Desirable

• Previous experience of delivering CBT and / or nonverbal therapy.
• Previous experience of facilitating group work would be desirable.

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of current national guidelines and policies relating to CAMHS
• Knowledge of workforce development initiatives within CAMHS (e.g. CYP IAPT)
• Knowledge of current national priorities/ transformation plan for CAMHS service delivery (eg Future In Mind)
• Knowledge and experience of Child Protection policy and practice

Desirable

• Knowledge of development in inter agency partnership
• In depth knowledge of CAMHS issues including assessment and interventions
• Knowledge of The Mental Health Act 1983(amended 2007) and associated legislation
• Knowledge of the Children’s Act and other appropriate legislation

Other Requirements

Essential

• Commitment to equal opportunities
• Self-motivated, assertive and flexible
• Proven qualities in sustaining the mental, emotional and physical demands of specialized therapeutic work with disturbed and distressed children, adolescents and their families/carer networks.

Closing Date: 30 August 2026