Mental Health Practitioner

Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 26 February 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Mental Health Practitioner either qualified as an Art Therapist, Play Therapist or Therapeutic Social Worker under the support of our Divisional Children in Care Lead to work in our Children in Care Team at Sandwell CAMHS. We are seeking a suitable candidate who can bring skills, experience and enthusiasm to meet the needs of children/young people with complex developmental trauma, attachment difficulties and mental health needs.

The candidate needs to be appropriately qualified and registered with the relevant Professional Body (HCPC/Play Therapy UK/Social Work England) and be adhering to the relevant code of ethics and practice.

We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic individual with a keenness and ability to deliver high quality and innovative psychological solutions and support the ongoing development of our dynamic team. The team is a small multi disciplinary team that co exists and interfaces with the wider Sandwell community CAMHS team and links with the CAMHS crisis team to when necessary to provide bespoke and wrap around care.

The team are looking forward to welcoming another addition to the team to complement their existing skill mix and ensure an excellent provision for the children and young people in care referred to Sandwell CAMHS.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide specialist support to the CAMHS Children and Young People in Care team (CYPIC) under the clinical leadership of the Divisional CYPIC Lead and operational management of the Service Manager. They will ensure that the implementation and delivery of the CYPIC team within Specialist CAMHS in Sandwell is delivered to a high standard in accordance with the CYPIC Service Specification. A key part of this is to offer specialist assessments, consultations and therapeutic intervention to children, young people and their carers and consultation/advice to the professional network where appropriate.

Job responsibilities

• Act as a source of advanced clinical knowledge and skills in the Child and Family Service for professionals within the service and other relevant professionals in the field of child and adolescent services.
• Act as a leading source of advanced clinical knowledge and skill in the child and family service, working collaboratively with health, education and social services with Children and Young People in Care.
• Accept referrals for looked after children and young people and their carers on the basis of urgency, complexity, experience and professional interest, as part of the Children and Young People in Care sub team.
• Take responsibility for the management of a clinical caseload, acting as key worker if appropriate.
• Provide comprehensive, highly specialist assessment of mental health needs, implement and evaluate therapeutic programmes of care within an appropriate environment.
• Contribute to meetings regarding service planning, development and the contribution to client care.
• Manage workload and manage time effectively.
• To promote user/carer involvement in all aspects of care planning whilst respecting their individual rights.
• Act as an advanced source of knowledge for consultation, supervision and training of junior staff and other professionals.
• Contribute to the teaching of evidence based practice for other professionals.
• Maintain accurate records in accordance with CAMHS protocol.
• Provide clinical supervision for professionals within the CAMHS Service.
• Ensure own supervision will be sought within and outside of the CAMHS Service.
• To work in conjunction with the service manager and clinical lead in developing policies and protocols for the Children and Young People in Care Team.
• To work in conjunction with the Consultant Psychologist to provide good quality care and evidence based practice for the Children and Young People in Care Team.
• Ensure attendance at mandatory training and keep up to date on the latest legislation e.g. Mental Health Act, Children Act, Data Protection Act and Human Rights Act.
• Adhere to Local Safeguarding Guidelines and agency procedures.
• Adhere to the policies of Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
• Ensure that service delivery meets agreed quality standards/contract agreements.
• Provide relevant information regarding data, statistics, and caseload management and patient case notes as required.
• Exchange information to solve problems and make decisions.
• To regularly attend team meetings.
• To regularly attend clinical and management supervision

Person Specification ESSENTIAL

• Professional qualification as either an Art Therapist, Play Therapist or Social Worker
• Registration with relevant Professional Body (HCPC/Play Therapy UK/Social Work England)
• Demonstrates assessment, risk assessment and care planning skills.
• Demonstrates experience of working in child and adolescent mental health and Looked after Children
• Demonstrates ability to apply therapeutic approaches within a CAMH setting
• Demonstrates the ability to assess and manage the complex mental health needs of children and young people in care

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust