The closing date is 28 July 2026
Salary: £58,133 to £65,261 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS
Job summary
Lewisham CAMHS Crisis team have an opening for a senior Practitioner to join the team. This role is suitable for Registered Nurses and Allied Professionals.The successful candidate will be part of a small team that works with colleagues across Lewisham CAMHS and the South London Partnership as well as Paediatric Team at University Hospital Lewisham. This role exists to contribute to Crisis Care, particularly through clinical presentations at University Hospital Lewisham A&E.The post holder will deliver high quality, safe crisis care, ensuring consistently high standards of practice and clinical excellence which comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct. As a CAMHS Crisis Team Senior Practitioner you will support the Team Leader and junior colleagues to promote and develop excellent clinical practice. You will be a positive role model to junior members of the team through the practice of evidence-based care. You will be expected to support professional development by contributing to the ongoing educational programme for all staff and students, fostering a positive learning environment.The service currently operates between the hours of 9am and 5pm, however the aim is to develop a more responsive service with aspirations of moving to a 24 hour service in future.
Main duties of the job
The Lewisham CAMHS Crisis Team is a Multi-disciplinary Tier3 CAMHS Service that works with young people who attend University Hospital Lewisham in a crisis. Children and adolescents who present, have a range of mental health disorders and distress. Some present with self-harming behaviour or suicidal ideation. Others have mental health disorders including psychosis or severe mental ill-health. The team undertake mental health assessment, formulation, risk planning and refer onwards for longer term interventions.
The team is currently composed of a Consultant Psychiatrist and CAMHS Nursing colleagues; though experienced professional applicants from other health care related backgrounds would be welcomed.
We work closely alongside wider tier 3 CAMHS teams, specialist tier 4 services and inpatient settings as required. The team work in collaboration with complex networks around the young person including social care, education, residential services and other healthcare providers.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential Criteria
First level nursing qualification/registration
Registered General Nurse and/or Registered Mental Nurse and/or Registered Learning Disability Nurse,
ORClinical registration in a healthcare profession including therapy, social work, clinical psychology
All applicants will require professional registration with a statutory body
Desirable CriteriaMasters degreeMentorship qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential Criteria
Experience working in CAMHS / acute settingExperience of research-based / reflective practice.Significant relevant clinical experience.Evidence of continuing professional developmentKnowledge of clinical governance and auditKnowledge of adult and child safeguardingKnowledge of mental health legislation and of the practical application of MH law.
Desirable CriteriaExperience of taking responsibility for a ward / clinical unit.Experience as a preceptor / mentor
Skills and Knowledge
Essential Criteria
Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service users needs.Ability to supervise clinicallyTeaching ability.Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations.Approachable.Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others.Loyal and able to advocate for and show pride in the work area and organisation.Forms very effective working relationships with colleagues.Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity.
Desirable Criteria
Ability to manage a team
Other RequirementsEmpathy for service users including individuals who have experienced mental health problems.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- First level Nursing Qualification/Registration
- Registered General Nurse and/or Registered Mental Nurse and/or Registered Learning Disability Nurse, or Clinical registration in a healthcare profession including therapy, social work, clinical psychology
Desirable
- Masters’ degree Mentorship qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience working in CAMHS / acute setting
- Significant relevant clinical experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Knowledge of adult and child safeguarding
- Knowledge of mental health legislation and of the practical application of MH law.
Desirable
- Experience of taking responsibility for a ward / clinical unit.
- Experience as a preceptor / mentor
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to provide quality care that is responsive to service users needs
- Resilient: able to cope with difficult interpersonal situations.
- Approachable. Self-aware, self-confident and intrinsically motivated to do a good job and to motivate others.
- Forms very effective working relationships with colleagues.
- Advocates for all individuals, particularly those with protected characteristics; promotes equality and diversity
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).