CAMHS Social Worker

Principal CAMHS Social Worker – Band 8b

Employer: West London NHS Trust
Salary: £72,719 – £83,505 per annum (inclusive)
Location: Heart of Hounslow Health Centre, 92 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EL
Job Type: Fixed-term (12 months)
Working Pattern: Full-time
Pay Band: NHS Band 8b
Reference: 222-LS-CAMHS-847
Date Posted: 5 November 2026
Closing Date: 18 November 2026
Visa Sponsorship: Available – applications from candidates requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome and will be considered.

Job Overview

West London NHS Trust is seeking an experienced Principal CAMHS Social Worker to join its CAMHS Tri-borough Alliance Service on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

The service is a specialist multidisciplinary Child and Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Service and Home Treatment Team supporting children and young people across Ealing, Hounslow, and Hammersmith and Fulham.

The successful candidate will provide senior professional and clinical leadership, supervise staff, support service development and deliver specialist assessments and therapeutic interventions for children and young people with complex mental health needs.

This role combines leadership responsibilities with direct clinical practice and requires extensive post-qualifying experience in multidisciplinary CAMHS settings, including experience at Band 8a.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visible professional and clinical leadership within the Alliance team.
• Deliver clinical and line management supervision to clinicians.
• Support the professional development of social workers and other team members.
• Promote evidence-based practice, learning and the sharing of good practice.
• Undertake specialist assessments and therapeutic interventions for children and young people.
• Develop collaborative safety plans and manage complex clinical cases.
• Coordinate with families and professional networks to support effective care.
• Contribute to clinical pathway development and service improvement.
• Lead audits, research and quality improvement projects.
• Promote partnership working and social inclusion.
• Support the development of high-quality social work student placements.
• Participate in the cross-borough leadership team.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A recognised Social Work qualification, with additional therapeutic qualifications and specialist training.
• Current professional registration with Social Work England.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in child and adolescent mental health practice.
• MSc-level training in a relevant specialist field or equivalent experience demonstrating Master’s-level knowledge.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Extensive post-qualifying experience in a multidisciplinary CAMHS setting, including experience working at Band 8a.
• Experience undertaking specialist assessments and treatment within relevant clinical areas.
• Experience supporting children, young people and families with a wide range of complex mental health presentations.
• Experience working across different environments, including clinics, homes, schools and community settings.
• Experience assessing complex risks and developing effective risk management plans.
• Advanced clinical skills and knowledge of child and adolescent mental health practice.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Training in therapeutic interventions such as CBT, DBT, Solution Focused Therapy, EMDR, Family Interventions or NVR.
• Training in standardised assessment tools such as ADI-R and ADOS, or willingness to undertake the training.
• Postgraduate qualification in management or leadership, or equivalent knowledge.
• Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) Stage 2 qualification.
• Experience working in a Crisis or Home Treatment Team (HTT).

About West London NHS Trust

West London NHS Trust provides mental health, physical healthcare and community services across several London boroughs.

The Trust employs more than 5,000 staff and operates Broadmoor Hospital, alongside low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs.

It is rated Good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with its forensic services rated Outstanding.

The Trust also leads the North West London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Visa Sponsorship

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is welcome.

West London NHS Trust confirms that applications from candidates who require current Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration with Social Work England.

Overseas applicants should also note that criminal record certificates may be required from countries where they have lived for the specified periods under UK immigration requirements.

Additional Information

• This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Current UK professional registration is mandatory.
• The role involves working flexibly across Ealing, Hounslow, and Hammersmith and Fulham.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the official NHS Jobs recruitment portal.

Closing Date: 18 November 2026.

Employer Website: https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk/

Enquiries: Emily Skipsey, Head of Social Work
Email: emily.skipsey@nhs.net