Consultant Psychiatrist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Crisis)

Job summary

This innovative post seeks to integrate Tier 4 inpatient care and crisis response predominantly in the acute trusts North of the county. To provide care with the other inpatient consultant to the 12 beds at the Darwin centre and offer support to the nurse led crisis team. There is also an existing home treatment service under another consultant and this forms part of our acute care pathway – Crisis, Home treatment, Tier 4 and a dedicated liaison team at Addenbrookes. This role is to support the tier 4 and crisis elements specifically. The job will be approximately a 60/40 split between the Darwin and Crisis service.

The Darwin Centre for Young People is part of the East of England provider collaborative and accepts referrals for young people needing a General Adolescent Unit admission from Trusts across the region.

In line with the NHS 10-year plan. It aims to improve continuity, effectiveness, and efficiency of care and treatment for young people presenting with high-risk and acute mental health needs, and their families.

The successful applicant will observe local and national employment directives regarding managed medical personnel and ensure adherence to appropriate NHS and Trust policies.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will primarily provide consultant psychiatric leadership in the ongoing development of an effective, efficient and evidence-based crisis and assessment team. They will work in collaboration with multi-disciplinary colleagues to provide needs-led and child and family centered psychiatric assessment and treatment to young people in acute crisis, and those subsequently requiring Tier 4 intervention.

Provide crisis input to Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital (and occasionally cover to Addenbrookes). There will be a need for onsite assessments, including Mental Health Act assessments, both in acute hospitals. Due to the geographical area covered, the successful applicant will be expected to drive as part of the role, and remote working and flexibility of base will be required. On the days they are based at the Darwin, onsite crisis work will be covered by the day time psychiatry rota which is already in place.

The dual aspect of this new role means they will be able to provide ongoing Consultant Care for individual young people from crisis presentation to Tier 4 discharge, providing consistency across these transitions and integrating inpatient and community services. They will lead network organizations, integration, risk formulation and management, discharge and contingency planning, and ensure care and treatment is delivered within appropriate legal frameworks, and in accordance with national guidance.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC registration and licence to practice
• MRCPsych or equivalent qualification/certification
• Section 12 Approved Psychiatrist or willingness to obtain training
• Approved Clinician Status or willingness to obtain training

Entry criteria for the grade

Essential

• Specialist Registration in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or CESR or within 6 months of attainment of CCT /CESR at time of interview.
• Shall have equivalent experience and competencies as recognised by GMC

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of good working relationships
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working
• Experience of training doctors in training.

Desirable

• Wide range of specialist and sub- specialist experiences relevant to this post

Skills/Ability/ Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent knowledge in specialty
• Decision-making and problem solving skills including children and young people
• Management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to take a clinical lead.
• Able and willing to represent department at Trust wide meetings.
• Able to work and build relationships with others.

Desirable

• Training/skills in a relevant therapeutic modality e.g. CBT, Family Therapy, parenting programmes
• Experience in clinical management of Learning Disability presentations.

Academic skills, lifelong learning abilities

Essential

• Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training
• Participated in continuous professional development
• Participated in research or service evaluation
• Able to use and appraise clinical evidence

Desirable

• Published on a relevant subject in a peer reviewed journal
• Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken
• Participated in quality/service improvement initiative
• Led a clinical audit leading to significant change

Qualities/ Attributes

Essential

• Able to demonstrate reflective practice.
• Approachable and flexible.
• Reliable.
• Ability to demonstrate/develop an understanding of service within the wider context of the changing NHS and Mental Health Services.
• Able to tolerate clinical complexity, uncertainty and change

Desirable

• Experience of developing services in a constantly changing environment within tight budgetary restraints

Equality

Essential

• Demonstrate understanding of acceptance and commitment to the principles underlying equal opportunities.

Closing Date: 10 August 2026