Crisis CAMHS Mental Health Practitioner

Crisis CAMHS Mental Health Practitioner – NHS Derby

Service Care Solutions is recruiting for an experienced Crisis CAMHS Mental Health Practitioner to join a specialist NHS Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service in Derby on a temporary agency contract. This role is ideal for practitioners with strong crisis experience who are confident delivering urgent assessments, managing high risk presentations, and working in a fast paced, high pressure environment.
Service OverviewYou will be joining a well established Crisis & Home Treatment CAMHS pathway, working with young people aged 0–18 who present with significant mental health needs. The service supports children and adolescents experiencing acute deterioration in their mental health, including risk of self-harm, suicidal ideation, behavioural dysregulation, and severe emotional distress.

The team works closely with A&E, paediatrics, community CAMHS, social care, schools, and families to prevent admission wherever possible and ensure safe, appropriate crisis management.

Role Overview
As a Crisis CAMHS Practitioner, you will be responsible for delivering rapid assessments, short?term therapeutic support, and risk management interventions. The role combines face-to-face crisis assessments, phone triage, home visits, and intensive support planning.
You will act as a core member of the crisis rota, responding to referrals that require immediate clinical oversight.

Key Responsibilities1. Crisis Assessment

• Conduct urgent mental health assessments for children and young people presenting in A&E, community settings, or via emergency referrals.
• Assess risk relating to self-harm, suicidality, aggression, emotional dysregulation, and safeguarding.
• Provide clear, evidence based clinical formulations and next step recommendations.

2. Short Term Crisis Intervention

• Deliver brief therapeutic support aimed at stabilising the young person and preventing hospital admission.
• Implement low intensity psychological strategies such as safety planning, emotional regulation, grounding techniques, and behavioural interventions.
• Offer immediate guidance and psychoeducation to young people and families.

3. Care Coordination & Safety Planning

• Create robust safety plans tailored to individual risk profiles.
• Coordinate urgent follow up support, including home treatment visits, phone check ins, or urgent CAMHS appointments.
• Liaise with parents, carers, schools, and external professionals to ensure safety and consistency.

4. Safeguarding & Multi Agency Working

• Identify safeguarding concerns promptly and escalate appropriately.
• Work closely with social care, police, education, the ambulance service, and paediatric wards to ensure safe crisis management.
• Contribute to multi agency risk meetings and case reviews.

5. Team Collaboration & Documentation

• Participate in MDT discussions, handovers, and risk review meetings.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in line with NHS standards.
• Support junior staff or students where required.

Working Hours

• Shifts available Monday to Sunday
• Minimum 4 shifts per week
• Shift times: Earlies (08:00-17:00) & Lates (14:00-23:00)

Essential Criteria

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or equivalent professional qualification
• Previous experience within CAMHS, crisis teams, or acute mental health settings
• Strong understanding of:
  • Child & adolescent risk assessment
  • Crisis intervention models
  • Safeguarding procedures
  • Mental Health Act and relevant clinical legislation
• Confident working independently under pressure
• Excellent communication and de-escalation skills

Contract TypeTemporary Agency Contract via Service Care Solutions
Suitable for practitioners seeking flexibility, enhanced rates, or additional CAMHS experience.

Rate- £26.50 umbrella

Benefits

• £250 sign up bonus for new nurses (paid in first payroll)
• £250 referral bonus (after successful 3?month placement)
• Free fast track DBS
• Three weekly payroll runs
• £250 training allowance
• Competitive pay rates across all NHS CAMHS services
• Dedicated recruitment consultant for ongoing support
• Regular updates on new roles across the UK
• PAYE and Ltd company payment options
• Access to opportunities across 40 NHS Trusts and 200 local authorities

ApplicationPlease send your CV to:
andrew.wiles@servicecare.org.uk