CAMHS Crisis Liaison Nurse inBarnet inBarnet PUBLISHED 17 MAY 2024

Detailed job description and main responsibilities



Clinical

• To undertake initial mental health and risk assessment of CYP who present with high risk and/or following acts of deliberate self-harm.
• To independently and/or jointly carry out assessments of the mental health needs of children and young people within a therapeutic framework and to contribute fully to the care planning process.
• To provide a high standard of care for people in the care group in keeping with the philosophy and operational policies for the Liaison Team and in addition to the Trust's policies, practice, and procedures.
• To conduct accurate risk assessments and management plans, involving the service user, carer, and any other individuals relevant to the care of the service user, and to ensure that this is well documented (on RiO). All this in conjunction with other team members where appropriate.
• To participate in network and discharge planning meetings to co-ordinate and identify appropriate services following crisis presentation. This may involve participation in transition process to Adult Mental Health Services where appropriate.
• To be responsible for negotiating coordinated rehabilitative care packages, in conjunction with other professional agencies and networks, prior to discharge from the acute hospital back to the community.
• To identify, respond appropriately to child protection issues within local, Pan London and national Safeguarding Children guidelines i.e. take part in case conferences, review meetings and planning meetings as appropriate.
• To link resources and co-ordinate services for young people and their family's experiencing disruption because of severe mental illness.
• To ensure, in conjunction with the Community CAMHS team clinicians, the follow up of children and young people who attend hospital following episodes of suicide attempt or self-harm and other acute mental health presentations.
• To ensure effective communications with relatives, other professionals, and voluntary organizations, thus encouraging participation in care delivery. To respond sensitively to the needs of relatives and carers.
• To develop strong links with the CAMHS Teams, as well as other professional groups/teams.
• To provide specialist consultation to the families and others involved in the care of the young person.
• To assist with the management of the behavior of children and young people who at times may be physically and verbally aggressive towards other members of the family and staff.
• To offer advice to other professionals within CAMHS and externally, as well as share their expertise in the management of complex cases in a variety of setting.
• To communicate in a clear and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation, and treatment plans for service users and to monitor progress during the course of multi-disciplinary care.
• To offer short therapeutic interventions to patients and their families with the therapeutic modality in which they have experience.

Person specification



Qualifications/ Registrations



Essential criteria

• Qualification at degree level or equivalent and registration with registration with relevant professional body with a core profession (clinical/counselling psychology, psychotherapy, systemic family psychotherapy social work, nursing, occupational therapy - NMC/ • Relevant training or qualification in child and adolescent mental health. • Relevant training on safeguarding and child protection.

Desirable criteria

• Training in one of the main therapeutic modalities. • Current experience of line management of Band 6 • CAMHS experience and evidence of leading a change initiative which improved patient care. • Working within Mental Health Service as a Band 6 • Experience of working with CAMHS crisis acute services in the community

Experience and Knowledge



Essential criteria

• Experience of clinical and risk assessment and treatment of children and young people across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care, and in-patient settings. • Previous experience of working in CAMHS, with proven track record of working with children, young people and their families offering assessment and stabilisation during periods of high risk. • Experience of case load management. • Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of teaching colleagues of other disciplines. • Experience of working in a culturally diverse area. • Experience of working in an adolescent in-patient setting.

Skills/ Abilities



Essential criteria

• Evidence of well-developed clinical skills and knowledge in CAMHS.
• Working knowledge in at least one model of therapeutic work (e.g. Systemic, CBT, SFT, Psychodynamic).
• Ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage the multiple demands complex clinical environment.
• Awareness of current national guidelines and policies in the field of CAMHS.
• Knowledge of legislation including the Mental Health Act 1983 in relation to children and adolescents including safeguarding children and young people, child protection procedures and policies.
• Teaching skills in clinical settings. • Proven qualities in sustaining the mental, emotional, and physical demands of specialised therapeutic work with disturbed and distressed adolescents and their families/care networks. • Capacity to deal with working conditions that may occasionally involve verbal abuse and frequent exposure to highly emotive material such as child abuse and family breakdown.
• Good computer skills and knowledge of patient management systems.
• Accurate record keeping.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in family therapy processes. • Experience in using CBT techniques • Experience in setting up and facilitating groups. • Knowledge of development in inter-agency partnership. • Specific knowledge of current issues for Adolescent mental health.

Personal Qualities



Essential criteria

• Commitment to equal opportunities. • Self-motivated, assertive, and flexible

Other Requirements



Essential criteria

• Essential car driver. • Willingness to drive for work purposes.

Employer certification / accreditation badges



Applicant requirements


You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.


Documents to download

• CAMHS Liaison Nurse (PDF, 248.4KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 258.2KB)
• Applicant Information Pack (PDF, 1.6MB)