CAMHS Emergency Liaison Practitioner

Job Overview

Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

A position has arisen for a full-time band 6 Emergency Liaison Practitioner (37.5 hours pw), to work with the S-CAMHS Emergency Liaison Team, based at White Valley Centre, St Cadoc's Hospital. The ELT team is part of the CAMHS Emergency Pathway, along with the Crisis Outreach Team, and the Intensive Support and Engagement Team (ISET).

Main duties of the job

The ELT aims to work intensively with families, young people and other agencies in order to provide person-centred assessment at times of psychiatric emergency. The provision is currently 7 days per week. We work closely with young people and other agencies pre-crisis, and post crisis, using a range of therapeutic approaches and interventions, aiming towards preventing suicide and managing psychiatric risk. The post will require the successful applicant to deliver skilled and robust emergency assessments for young people and families. The post is open to qualified clinicians with significant post-registration CAMHS experience.

The post-holder will develop and deliver evidence-based emergency assessments, and will be required to work closely with families, across a range of clinical settings. The post holder will be required to respond to calls from professionals who contact CAMHS via our consultation line, seeking advice. The post holder will also be required to offer evidence-based follow-up work with young people experiencing extreme psychological distress. The successful applicant will possess a range of evidence-based therapeutic skills, and will be able to demonstrate the ability to work in a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary way.

The successful applicant will be prepared to work out of hours, and on weekends, according to service needs.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation serving the communities of Gwent. With more than 14,000 staff and volunteers, we provide safe, high-quality, and compassionate care across hospitals, GP practices, community services, and mental health settings. As a University Health Board, research, education, and innovation are central to our work, supporting evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.

Our work is guided by the Gwent Strategy 2025–2035, which sets out our long-term ambition to create a fairer and healthier future for our population. We focus on prevention, reducing health inequalities, and working in partnership with local authorities, voluntary organisations, and communities to improve health and wellbeing.

We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace where people feel valued, respected, and able to develop. Our values of Kindness, Integrity, and Respect shape how we care for patients and how we treat one another.

We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities, flexible working where possible, and a comprehensive NHS benefits package. Working for ABUHB means being part of an organisation that values its people and offers the chance to build a meaningful and rewarding career while making a real difference to the lives of others.

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Mental Health Nurse/Social Worker AMP.
• CAMHS specific module, CBT, Family Therapy, psychotherapy, psychosocial Interventions.
• Evidence of continuous professional Development.

Desirable criteria

• Teaching/mentoring qualification.
• Breakaway Training

Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant experience at a Band 5.
• Evidence supervising and developing junior staff.
• Evidence of team leading junior staff.
• Evidence of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Engagement within service audits.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience working within Psychiatric Liaison or Crisis Team.
• Experience in assessing risk and risk management.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Able to undertake a comprehensive CAMHS Assessment and WARRN risk formulation.
• Experience of working with children or young people who have serious mental disorders and engage in risk taking behaviours.
• Experience of working within a multiagency environment.
• Communicate verbally and effectively with service users, managers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to plan and coordinate multi-disciplinary care programme.
• Able to develop and maintain professional relationships within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to use a high degree of professional autonomy.
• Effective skills and knowledge of mental disorder, risk assessment and management.
• Working knowledge of a range of psychological interventions.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Act and Children’s Act.

Desirable criteria

• Good risk management