Collingham Child and Family Centre - Band 5 CAMHS Staff Nurse

Job overview

Collingham Child and Family Centre is a national inpatient unit caring for children under 13 with complex mental health needs. We seek nurses from diverse backgrounds to broaden the skill mix available to young patients.

Candidates should be innovative, dynamic, and interested in advancing their nursing and therapeutic skills within a supportive, highly skilled team that includes psychiatrists, doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists and family therapists.

The multidisciplinary team includes consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists, junior doctors, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, family therapists, nursing associates, support workers, a ward manager and a matron. The team also collaborates with an on‑site school and visiting tutors for music, art and drama therapy.

The role involves working closely with children and their families to assess, diagnose, formulate and implement treatment plans, aiming for safe and rapid return to home. The unit treats a wide range of complex mental health and emotional needs, excluding eating disorders or those requiring naso‑gastric tubes.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Typical tasks for this role

• 1:1 sessions with all young people on a daily basis
• Primary nurse for 1 to 2 children
• Co‑facilitate groups and activities with MDT colleagues
• Support children with daily living skills
• Ensure the safe running of the unit and that policies and protocols are followed
• Attend CPA meetings and professional meetings

• Registered Mental Health Nurse at degree or diploma level.
• RNC at degree or diploma level.
• RNLD at degree or diploma level.
• Current NMC registration.

• Knowledge of mental disorder, child development, mental health law and legislation, and the nursing process.
• Good knowledge of local and national policies and procedures.
• Basic counselling skills.
• Experience of working in a mental health setting post‑registration.
• Demonstrated understanding and empathy for the needs of children & young people.
• Effective communication with children, young people and their parents.
• Effective communication with other professionals, in person and on the phone.
• Ability to understand and work with challenging behaviour.

• A genuine interest in working within this specialism.
• Professional conduct in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and good interpersonal relationships at all times.

• Available to work shifts, days, nights and weekends – Monday to Sunday across all inpatient units.
• Agree to be flexible to move within the trust to cover sister wards if needed.

Applicants must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) and Order 2020, and a Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.