Go back Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Clinical Team Leader - Collingham Child & Family Centre
The closing date is 25 May 2025
Welcome to CNWL Mental Health Inpatient Services for Children and Young People. Collingham Child and Family Centre is one of six National 7 Day Inpatient settings, working in partnership with Chelsea Hospital Schools for children aged 5 - 13 years old. We are currently recruiting for an exciting CAMHS Clinical Team Leader (RCN, RMN, RNLD).
Nestled between High Street Kensington & Earls Court, Collingham is a Tier 4 Children's Mental Health Unit providing acute inpatient care and schooling for young people with complex mental health needs and behavioural problems.
The role involves a flexible shift pattern: Early 07:30 - 15:30, Late 12:30 - 20:30, Nights 20:00 - 08:00. This is a 24/7 service.
We're passionate about improving young people's mental health outcomes and strive to deliver patient-centred, safe, and effective care. At Collingham, you will support children and their families to build resilience, develop coping strategies, and foster healthy relationships through therapeutic intervention and structured activities. We welcome applications from Registered Paediatric, Mental Health, or Learning Disabilities Nurses, even if you haven't provided inpatient care before.
Main duties of the job
Our staff share their experiences:
"When I first was introduced to Collingham as a student nurse almost 3 years ago, I loved it so much that I kept coming back for bank shifts as a band 3 support worker. I felt part of the family and fully involved. When I qualified as an RMN, I became a permanent band 5 staff nurse on the unit. From there, I progressed to become a band 6 Clinical Team Leader. I've continued to develop and grow within Collingham and the CNWL CAMHS family, including acting up into a band 7 managerial role for a few weeks."
- A staff team nurse's perspective.
Who are we?
The multidisciplinary team includes nursing, psychology, occupational therapists, systemic psychotherapists, support workers, ward manager, matron, and psychiatrists. The service is led by a Matron, Therapy Lead, and Consultant Psychiatrist, linked to the CAMHS service line overseen by the Head of Tier 4 services and Clinical and Service Directors for CAMHS and Eating Disorders. Recent developments include stronger links with the ED Inpatient service and cross-unit working opportunities.
To learn more about working in CAMHS, please CLICK HERE for our CAMHS video.
About us
CNWL has a pioneering history of improving health outcomes by providing physical and mental health services across GPs, clinics, hospitals, and community settings. To find out more about CAMHS inpatients, please CLICK HERE .
We offer protected monthly clinical supervision and training, weekly teaching sessions, and reflective practice slots. We support training in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). We are committed to developing your leadership and clinical skills. For more information, see our "Staff rewards and wellbeing handbook".
We support flexible working arrangements to meet our workforce's needs.
Our site in Kensington is a 10-minute walk from High Street Kensington tube station and Earls Court Station.
As an NHS Trust, we strongly encourage and support vaccination to protect staff, patients, and families.
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for detailed responsibilities.
What do we do?
The team provides intensive assessment and treatment for children with complex emotional, behavioural, and psychological difficulties, including working closely with families to develop parenting skills.
Our experienced multidisciplinary team is dedicated to delivering high standards of care to help children and families regain confidence, using a solution-focused approach to foster optimism and potential.
Typical tasks for this role
- Support the ward manager in leading daily ward operations.
- Lead nursing feedback during ward rounds and professional meetings.
- Assume the Primary Nurse role for individual young people.
- Assist in developing junior staff and serve as a role model.
- Ensure delivery of evidence-based nursing care for children, young people, and their families.
- Prioritize child and family-centred care.
- Maintain a welcoming, safe, and clean environment.
- Recognize behavioural escalation or shifts in ward dynamics and address proactively.
- Monitor observations, ensure safe practices, and act according to procedures.
- Supervise junior staff and students to ensure safe and effective care.
Person Specification Education and Qualifications
- RMN (NMC)
- Active interest in professional development
Experience
- Significant post-registration experience at Band 5
- Ability to lead and work within multidisciplinary teams
- Experience managing shifts and deputising for the Unit Manager
- Knowledge or experience of CAMHS
Skills and Knowledge
- Supervisory skills for junior staff
- Specialist knowledge of mental health issues
- Understanding of risk assessment, including self-harm
- Warmth and empathy in relationships
- Ability to manage challenging behaviours and de-escalate situations
- Autonomous clinical decision-making skills
- Effective relationship-building within teams and with external agencies
- Understanding of safeguarding policies
- Cultural sensitivity awareness
- Experience with Information Systems
- Monitoring untrained staff and students
- Calm, mature, and tactful demeanor
- Initiative, flexibility, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Receptiveness to constructive feedback and reflective practice
- Self-motivation and lateral thinking
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required prior to appointment.
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Salary: £44,806 to £53,134 per annum, HCAS inclusive (pro-rata if part-time)