CAMHS Practitioner, AAP: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

Do you have expertise in autism and a passion for improving the diagnostic journey for young people and their families? Join our Autism Assessment Pathway (AAP) and help shape an innovative, high-quality service for young people aged 13+ across Bedfordshire and Luton.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated clinician with strong autism knowledge, the ability to work autonomously, and an interest in service development. You will be part of a supportive multidisciplinary team within the CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Team, contributing to assessments, service improvement and positive outcomes for young people.

As part of Bedfordshire CAMHS, you’ll join a large, dynamic service with strong links across specialist teams and partner agencies. We are committed to staff development, offering tailored CPD opportunities, quality improvement projects, service-user involvement initiatives, and opportunities to develop leadership skills.

Our Bedford clinics are easily accessible from North London, Milton Keynes and Northampton. ELFT offers attractive recruitment packages and a strong commitment to career development.

If you’d like to make a real difference at an exciting time of service growth and innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

This post is based within our specialist Autism Assessment Pathway (AAP). We are seeking experienced clinicians skilled in delivering standardised autism assessments using tools such as ADOS, 3Di and ADI-R.

The AAP sits within the CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Team (NDT), which provides assessment and intervention for children and young people with autism and/or intellectual disabilities. The NDT is part of Bedfordshire CAMHS, a large and dynamic service that includes emotional and behavioural teams, CAMHS Schools, LAC, parent-infant psychotherapy, paediatric, GP, adolescent mental health, crisis and eating disorder services, as well as embedded staff in Early Help, CDC and social care.

The successful post holder will work autonomously within a supportive multidisciplinary team, delivering high-quality assessments and contributing to service development. We offer tailored CPD, quality improvement projects, service-user participation opportunities and chances to develop leadership skills through acting-up roles.

Our Bedford clinics are easily accessible from North London, Milton Keynes and Northampton. ELFT offers attractive recruitment packages and is committed to supporting staff development, innovation and career progression.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

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, . Relevant specialist CAMHS trainings or qualifications . Application form 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 qualification

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 (please indicate in your application if you have gained your core child experience outside of CAMHS ie paediatrics or child health settings)

Knowledge and Skills

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
• 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.

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

Closing Date: 29 November 2026