CAMHS RAFT Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Overview

We are looking for a dedicated CAMHS RAFT Practitioner to join our team, working with children, young people and young adults in a Responsive, Acute, Focussed and Timely (RAFT) way within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

• Complete joint and individual assessments for children, young people and families referred to the RAFT service.
• Develop and review care and treatment plans in collaboration with CAMHS professionals and partner agencies.
• Deliver short-term evidence‑based interventions to meet the needs of young people and families.
• Undertake risk assessment and risk management planning for high‑risk presentations.
• Provide education, support and practical advice to children, young people, families and carers.
• Liaise closely with CAMHS colleagues, inpatient units, hospitals, schools, social care and voluntary services to ensure effective care pathways.
• Act as a point of contact for patients, carers and referrers, discussing referrals and signposting when appropriate.
• Participate in the shift rota, including extended hours, and provide daily coordination for the team when required.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in line with Trust standards.
• Provide clinical supervision to Band4 staff and contribute to ongoing team development.
• Support the collection of service data, audit information and evaluation materials to improve service delivery.
• Assess children, young people and families referred to the service and agree appropriate actions.
• Formulate treatment plans and support CAMHS professionals to deliver agreed interventions.
• Reassess and adapt treatment plans as needed based on clinical progress.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop risk management plans for young people displaying high‑risk behaviours.
• Deliver brief, goal‑focused interventions using evidence‑based approaches.
• Work collaboratively with Tier3 CAMHS, hospitals, inpatient units, eating disorder services and transition teams.
• Work closely with education settings, social care, local authority teams and voluntary agencies.
• Build strong professional networks to support effective communication and coordinated care.
• Offer advice and support to referrers and non‑specialist colleagues.
• Coordinate team activity during shifts to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
• Contribute to team meetings, handovers and service development activities.
• Maintain accurate electronic records on RIO in accordance with Trust policy.
• Support service evaluation through data collection, audit and review.
• Work within legal and professional frameworks including the Children Act, Mental Health Act, safeguarding procedures and Trust policies.
• Participate in required training, supervision and continuing professional development.
• Carry out duties as required by the Operational Service Manager.

• Qualification in nursing, social work, occupational therapy or an equivalent field.
• Advanced training in and/or substantial experience in the use of behaviour and/or evidence‑based interventions with children and families.
• Evidence of previous and ongoing commitment to continuous professional development.
• Qualification in CBT, Counselling, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, behaviour modification, social skills or group therapy.
• Significant post‑qualifying experience of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties.
• Previous experience in a CAMH service, preferably including liaising with and giving advice to referrers and clients at the point of entry to a service.
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders in children and young people, and their impact on both the client group and their families/carers.
• Knowledge of a wide range of evidence‑based treatment/therapeutic interventions.
• Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and risk management planning with high‑risk young people.
• Must be a car driver with a valid driving licence or have access to transport with appropriate business insurance to travel throughout the Trust.