Clinical Psychologist/Senior CAMHS Practitioner

Job Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join our supportive and forward‑thinking Core CAMHS team in Salford, working with children and young people presenting with a range of complex mental health needs.

Main duties of the job

• Provide specialist mental health assessment, formulation, and evidence‑based intervention for children and young people referred to Salford Core CAMHS, working autonomously with a defined caseload that includes complex and high‑risk presentations.
• Undertake comprehensive mental health and risk assessments, develop formulation‑driven care plans, and deliver therapeutic interventions in line with evidence‑based practice and professional standards.
• Work collaboratively with families, schools, and partner agencies to provide holistic, coordinated care and improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Provide consultation and clinical advice to colleagues and partner agencies, contribute to safe caseload management, and support risk management within the multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to service development through audit, quality improvement, and implementation of best practice.
• Support colleagues through supervision, mentoring, and sharing clinical expertise, maintaining high standards of care and improving access and outcomes.

Working for Our Organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), a leading provider of specialist services, and work in a supportive, multi‑disciplinary environment that values clinical excellence and continuous improvement.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and celebrating diversity. All individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, are encouraged to apply for this post.

Registration / Accreditation

• Must be registered or accredited with a professional body (e.g., NMC, SW England, UKCP, HCPC, BACP).

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification such as a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent), a BPS‑registered Nursing qualification (RMN/RSCN/RNMH), social work qualification (CQSW/DipSW), or occupational therapy qualification.
• Additional postgraduate training in psychological therapies and interventions.

Experience

• Significant experience working with children and young people with autism and social communication difficulties.
• Relevant experience and training in multi‑disciplinary assessments of ASD in children and adolescents.
• Proven experience of managing a complex caseload autonomously, frequently dealing with distressing and emotional circumstances.
• Experience working with hard‑to‑reach diverse community groups and individuals with emerging complex needs, dual diagnoses, additional disabilities and safeguarding concerns.
• Experience assessing and managing risk, including safeguarding.
• Experience developing and providing evidence‑based assessments, formulations, care plans and using outcome measures (ROMS).
• Experience liaising with a range of relevant agencies and professionals, managing difficult conversations and differing opinions.
• Experience mentoring and supervising others, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of junior staff and trainees.
• Understanding of clinical governance principles and willingness to follow Trust policy and procedures.
• Experience providing a variety of interventions for children and young people with mental health problems and their families.
• Community mental health experience across a variety of settings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Up to date knowledge of child mental health and relevant legislation.
• Advanced knowledge and skills in delivering evidence‑based practice, demonstrating impact on clinical practice.
• Ability to assess, formulate and manage care appropriately, ensuring timely discharge.
• Skill in selecting, using and interpreting assessment tools and outcome measures in collaboration with the child, young person and family.
• Capability to integrate psychological theories and outcome data with clinical practice and service provision.
• Capacity to plan, implement and evaluate suitable therapeutic interventions across the age range of children and their parents/carers.
• Highly developed communication skills, able to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information and overcome barriers to acceptance.
• Ability to function as part of a multi‑disciplinary team and liaise effectively with other agencies, e.g., education, GPs, maintaining positive working relationships.
• Sensitivity to working with people from a range of backgrounds, cultures and ages.
• Capability to give feedback and constructive guidance to junior members and trainees, facilitating their development.
• Self‑reflection and critical appraisal of own performance.
• Ability to manage own caseload and act as lead practitioner.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills, able to work flexibly and creatively in a clinical context and pressure situations.
• Understanding of policy and ability to propose changes when needed.
• Independence with support from clinical and management supervision.
• Proficiency in maintaining written and electronic clinical records.
• Resilience in stressful situations, maintaining professionalism with highly emotive and distressing cases.
• Experience delivering training, audit and research.
• Facilitating group work and workshops.
• Advanced IT skills.
• Experience supervising junior staff.

Employer Certification / Accreditation Badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) and the Order 2020. Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required.

Contact

For enquiries, please contact Tai Jamil, CAMHS Service Manager, Email: tayyib.jamil@mft.nhs.uk, Phone: 0161 518 5400. For further information, Dr Michelle Perkin, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Phone: 0161 518 5400.

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