Directorate of Human Resources
Recruitment Team
Flat 3
Willow Drive
Kirkcaldy
Fife, KY1 2LS
Tel 01592 643355
Fax 01592 204611
www.show.scot.nhs.uk/faht
Date
Your Ref
Our Ref
As per postmark
Enquiries to
Extension
Direct Line
Email:
Recruitment
28651
01592 643355
Please see below
fife-uhb.recruitment@nhs.net
Dear Sir/Madam
POST REFERENCE: CA540/11/14
CLOSING DATE: 12 NOON ON 5TH DECEMBER 2014
Thank you very much for your interest in the above post. I have pleasure in enclosing an application
pack which includes, a job description, application form, terms and conditions, person specification and
procedure for the disclosures of criminal records. Please be advised that the application form must be
completed in full as unfortunately we cannot accept a CV enclosure.
When providing referees on the application form please be aware we require references to cover a
minimum of a three year period. If the period of time both referees have known you is less than three
years you will be required to provide additional referees. This can be indicated on an additional sheet of
paper and where possible please give us email addresses for contact.
Should you wish to make an enquiry to the Recruitment Team regarding a vacancy please ensure that
you quote the reference number.
Please be advised that if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then you have been
unsuccessful in your application.
May I take this opportunity to thank you for the interest that you have shown in NHS Fife.
Yours faithfully
Recruitment Team
Recruitment Team
Enc.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
Post:
Principal Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
Reference Number:
CA540/11/14
Pay Banding:
Band 8a £39,632 - £47,559 pro rata
Hours of Duty :
18.50
Contract Type:
Fixed Term
Applications on a secondment basis will be considered
providing you have agreement from your current line manager
Annual Leave:
27 days on commencement
29 days after 5 years service
33 days after 10 years service
Public Holidays:
8 fixed public holidays
The leave year extends from 1 April to 31 March.
Part time staff will receive a pro-rata entitlement for annual leave and public holidays combined
as per the Agenda for Change agreement.
Reckonable service may be credited for annual leave purposes in accordance with the Agenda
for Change Agreement.
Sick Pay
Entitlements to Statutory Sick Pay and Occupational Sick Pay will be determined in accordance
with the Agenda for Change Agreement. Reckonable service may be credited for Sick Pay
purposes providing there has been no break in service of 12 months or more at time of
appointment in accordance with Agenda for Change Agreement.
Superannuation
New entrants to NHS Fife who are aged sixteen but under seventy five will be enrolled
automatically into membership of the NHS Pension Scheme.
Our pension scheme is provided by Scottish Public Pensions Agency. This scheme is a
qualifying pension scheme, which means it meets or exceeds government’s new standards. All
benefits including life insurance and family benefits are explained on the SPPA website
http://www.sppa.gov.uk/. Contribution rates will vary from 5% to 14.5% depending on
pensionable earnings.
Once a year, (following 2 years qualifying service) a statement is available online
(http://www.sppa.gov.uk/ showing how much service has built up in your pension.
You can increase the amount you put in if you want by buying additional pension. For full details
please see the Factsheet “Additional Pension” available on the SPPA website
http://www.sppa.gov.uk/ .The amount contributed by the government in the form of tax relief
would also increase.
If you want to opt out of the pension scheme please follow the instructions in the enclosed fact
sheet.
Occupational Health Clearance
Any offer of employment is subject to satisfactory Occupational Health clearance. Should you
be invited to interview you will be asked to complete a Pre-Employment Health Questionnaire.
The Occupational Health Service (OHSAS) will make an assessment on your fitness to carry
out the post based on the information contained within the questionnaire. In certain
circumstances further information is required before clearance can be given and OHSAS may
contact you by telephone or request that you attend for an appointment. Clearance must be
obtained before any new employee commences employment within NHS Fife. Clearance may
be subject to you attending for a Post-Employment appointment and it is vital that you attend
this appointment if required.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, many people need not refer to
previous convictions which, after a certain period of time, are regarded as spent. Certain posts
within the National Health Service, however, are excluded from the provisions of this Act. All
potential employees must disclose on the application form any unspent convictions and certain
potential employees are required to inform us of any previous convictions which, for other
purposes, are “spent” under the provisions of this Act. Failure to disclose such information
could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the organisation. Any information given will be
treated in the strictest confidence. Please refer to the NHS Fife Procedure for the Declaration
of Criminal Convictions for further information.
Disclosure Scotland / Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG)
A number of our posts are identified as requiring Disclosure Scotland clearance at a number of
levels including Standard or Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG). The PVG Scheme requires
an individual / personal membership to the scheme, if this is a requirement of the post, the
employer, NHS Fife, will meet the costs of this application. Existing members may require a
scheme update and the interview panel must be informed of this and again NHS Fife will meet
the cost associated with this.
No Smoking Policy
NHS Fife operates a No Smoking Policy and it is the case that staff are not permitted to smoke
on the premises or during working hours. It is a condition of employment that you comply with
these requirements.
Agenda for Change Implementation and Variations to Contract of Employment
Agenda for Change is a nationally agreed remuneration, job evaluation, personal development
and terms and conditions framework which will apply to all NHS Scotland staff (except very
senior managers and staff within the remit of the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body). This
means that you will be subject to the terms and conditions contained within this agreement and
also any subsequent national or local agreements or variations made in respect of Agenda for
Change. Such changes will automatically be applied to you and your contract of employment
will be deemed to have been amended on this basis.
Entitlement to Work in the UK
NHS Fife is legally obliged to ensure all its employees are legally entitled to work in the
United Kingdom. All applicants are required to confirm their right to work in the UK in
their application. If you are not a United Kingdom (UK), European Community (EC) or
European Economic Area (EEA) National please state the visa category under which you
are legally entitled to work in the UK on your application form and the expiry date of your
leave to remain in the UK.
Certificates of Sponsorship
If a candidate who requires Tier 2 Sponsorship is appointed to a post NHS Fife may make an
application for sponsorship providing applications are available and it can be demonstrated no
suitable candidate meets the minimum requirements for the post from within the EEA. This is in
keeping with current Home Office regulations which dictate that employers are not in a position
to offer employment to candidates requiring Sponsorship/Work Permit where it can be
demonstrated that EEA candidates meet the minimum requirements for the post.
Job Share
Unless otherwise stated within the job advert applications for this post may be considered on a
job share basis. Should you wish to apply on a job share basis please indicate this on a
covering letter attached to the application form.
Guidance for completing the NHSScotland
application form
If you need this, or any of the attached forms in large print or other
formats please call our recruitment office on 01592 643355 ext 28706
or 27906.
An electronic version is available at www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk
General guidance

If you have any questions or need some help with completing the form, please call 01592
643355 ext 8706 or 7906 or email fife-uhb.recruitment@nhs.net. Please have the job
reference number handy if possible

If you are using the ‘hard copy’ version of our application form, please use black ink and
write clearly in BLOCK CAPITALS. This makes the form much easier to read and
clearer when we photocopy it

The job reference number can be copied from the job advert or the application pack

The job location will be on the job advert

The candidate number will be written in by us once you have returned the form to our
office

The people who look through your completed form (short listing or short leeting team) to
see if you have the skills and abilities needed for the job, will only see ‘Part C’ of the
form. They will only see your candidate number and all personal details will be
anonymous

Please do not send in a CV instead of, or as well as, the application form. We do not
consider CVs during the selection process

Please fill in all sections of the application form. If some parts are not relevant, write ‘not
applicable’ or ‘N/A’ in that space

If you need more space to complete any section, please use extra sheets of paper. Do
not put your name or any identifying information on it as it needs to remain anonymous.
Secure it to the relevant section, and we will add a candidate number to it when we
receive it

When you have completed all of the form, please send it to:
Recruitment Section
NHS Fife
Flat 3
Willow Drive
Kirkcaldy
Fife
KY1 2LS
Personal Details section

This gives us your contact details such as name and address. Under ‘title’ you would put
either Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr or just leave blank if you prefer

We may need to contact you at some time throughout the recruitment process. Please
let us know the most suitable method of contacting you, for example email or phone call
and the most convenient time
Declarations

Please refer to the enclosed Procedure for the Disclosure of Criminal Convictions.
For certain posts you must tell us about all convictions and cautions regardless of how
long ago the offence may have occurred. Convictions from other countries must also be
notified. If in doubt please call our office at the help line number on page one of this
guidance

Please note that having a conviction will not automatically disqualify you from getting a
job with us. Careful consideration will be given to the relevance of the offence to the
particular post in question. However, if you are appointed, and it is found that you did
not reveal a previous conviction your employment may be terminated

Remember to read, consider and sign the declaration at the bottom of page 2
Qualifications section

Please tell us of any qualifications you have. This can include school standard grades,
GCSEs highers, or work based qualifications such as SVQs or NVQs

Remember to write down any ‘non formal’ qualifications or certificates that you think are
relevant to the job you are applying for
Present (or most recent) post section

If you are currently out of work, please write this in the ‘job title’ space

Please write your start date in month/year format MM/YYYY

Please tell us briefly about your duties (what you do or did in your job). You could tell us
your role, the main tasks, and any responsibility for supervising others. There is not a lot
of space here so continue on a separate sheet if you need to
Employment History section

This is where you write down all the jobs you have done previously

Remember that if a job you have done in the past supports or is similar to the job you
are applying for, please tell us more about it in your ‘support of application’ statement on
page 6 of the application form – use a separate sheet if you need more space
References section

Referees are people who know you at work. Please give the full names and addresses
of 2 referees, one of whom must be your present or most recent employer and can
confirm your job details

Your referees must cover a three year time period and should where possible be work
based references.

Please where ever possible provide an email address for your referee.

You should check that the people you have put on your form are happy to be referees

Your referees will not be contacted unless you are a ‘preferred candidate’ after
interview. A preferred candidate is someone who is the preferred choice for the job,
subject to satisfactory checks where appropriate
Driving Licence

You only need to complete this if the job requires you to drive. Please check the job
description or person specification. For example, some jobs with the Ambulance Service
require you to be able to drive class C1 and D1 vehicles
Statement in support of your application

This is one of the most important parts of the form. In here you say why it is you want
this job, and can list all your skills and abilities that you think help to match up you
against the ‘person specification’. In here you could describe how something you have
done in a non work setting (for example, planning and leading a group outing) shows
planning skill and some leadership qualities
Where did you see the advert section

Please try to remember where you heard about this job, and tick the relevant box. The
information you give will help us find out how good our advertising is
Equal opportunities monitoring

Please note that all details on this section (Part D) will remain totally anonymous. It will
be detached from the rest of the form as soon as we get it and remain anonymous

We want to ensure that there are no barriers to joining our workforce. As an employer,
NHSScotland is as fully inclusive as possible. One way we can ensure this is to analyse
all the data provided in this section and ensure that job opportunities are being accessed
by as wide a community as possible.
Please send the completed form to the following address:
fife-uhb.recruitment@nhs.net
or post your hard copy to:
Recruitment Section
NHS Fife
Flat 3
Willow Drive
Kirkcaldy
Fife
KY1 2LS
Support into Work

Have you experience of a mental health problem?

Want help with the application process for a post with NHS Fife or Fife
Council?

Would you benefit from some support even after you start work?

Are you unemployed and live in Fife?
Then Support into Work can provide free, independent and confidential support through the
whole process of applying for a job with either NHS Fife or Fife Council and, if successful, for
the first few weeks after starting work.
Support into Work is a two-year pilot funded by the Scottish Executive to increase access to
employment for unemployed people experiencing mental health difficulties who live within Fife.
The service is provided by Fife Employment Access Trust (FEAT) a well-respected voluntary
organisation with 10years experience or supporting people with mental health problems into
employment.
FEAT is independent of both NHS Fife and Fife Council and the fact that someone has
received support will not adversely affect the recruitment outcome.
For more information on the support available or if you would like to take advantage of the
service contact:
Fife Employment Access Trust
Collydean Cottage
6/7 Hanover Court,
Glenrothes, Fife KY7 5SB
Tel: 01592 759371
Email: enquires@f-e-a-t.co.uk
Please do not send completed application form to this address
PROCEDURE FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL RECORDS
1.
Introduction
NHS Fife complies fully with the Code of Practice, issued by Scottish Ministers, in connection
with the use of information provided to the registered person and other recipients of information
by Disclosure Scotland Part V of the Police Act 1997, for the purposes of assessing applicants’
suitability for positions of trust.
We undertake to treat all applicants for positions fairly and not to discriminate unfairly against
the subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.
2.
Spent Convictions
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 enables some criminal convictions to become ‘spent’
after a rehabilitation period. The length of the rehabilitation period depends on the sentence
given and not the offence committed. For custodial sentences the rehabilitation period is
decided by the original sentence and the length of time actually served is irrelevant. Custodial
sentences of more than 2.5 years can never become spent.
3.
Disclosing Spent and Unspent Convictions
In line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 for any post within NHS Fife you are
required to disclose any “unspent” convictions.
If you are applying for any posts listed below you are also required to provide us with any
information in relation to all “spent” convictions.









Clinical Posts (including Nursing, Medical, Dental and AHP posts)
Director of Finance & Heads of Finance Department
Ward Clerks
Public Health Posts
Health Promotion Posts
Porters
Volunteers
Hairdressers
Catering & Domestic Posts within Inpatient Areas
4.
Disclosure Scotland (SCRO)
The aim of the Disclosure Scotland Service is to enhance public safety and to help employers
nd voluntary organisations in Scotland to make safer recruitment decisions. Any offer of
employment to a post identified as requiring “spent” convictions to be disclosed will be subject
to a satisfactory Disclosure Scotland check.
5.
Procedure for Disclosing Convictions
If you have an unspent or spent conviction and you are required to disclose this to NHS Fife
you should do this by completing the section “Convictions” within Part B of the application form
giving details of the following:


6.
The Nature of the offence
The Sentence given
The Date of the Offence
Interview
If you are selected for interview, members of the interview panel will not be aware of any
declaration you have made. Should you be selected as the preferred candidate following
interview we will undertake to ensure an open and measured discussion on the subject of any
offences or other matters that might be considered relevant for the position concerned. We
guarantee that only those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process will only see this
information.
7.
Failure to reveal information
Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to
withdrawal of an offer of employment. If you are offered employment such a failure may result
in dismissal or disciplinary action.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with NHS Fife. This will
depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your
offences.
8.
Queries
If you have any queries on this matter then please contact our recruitment office who will be
able to assist you.
Auto Enrolment Fact Sheet 2
What is happening?
The UK Government’s aim is for more people to have another income, on top of the state
pension, when they come to retire. The basic state pension is intended to be a foundation and
you may want more.
Employers are now required to enrol their workers automatically into a pension scheme to make
it easier for people to start saving. You will therefore be automatically enrolled into the NHS
Pension Scheme from your date of commencement with us.
What does this mean for you?
Our pension scheme is provided by Scottish Public Pensions Agency. This scheme is a
qualifying pension scheme, which means it meets or exceeds the government’s new standards.
All benefits including life insurance and family benefits are explained on the SPPA website
http://www.sppa.gov.uk/
Once a year, (following 2 years qualifying service) a statement is available online
(http://www.sppa.gov.uk/) showing how much service has built up in your pension.
You can increase the amount you put in if you want by buying additional pension. For full details
please see the Factsheet “Additional Pension” available on the SPPA website
http://www.sppa.gov.uk/ The amount contributed by the government in the form of tax relief
would also increase.
From 1 April 2014, the member contributions are calculated as follows:
Tier
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Pensionable Pay Band (whole time
Contributions Rate in
equivalent) in 2014/15
2014/15
Up to £15,431
5%
£15,432 to £21,387
5.6%
£21,388 to £26,823
7.1%
£26,824 to £49,472
9.3%
£49,473 to £70,630
12.5%
£70,631 to £111,376
13.5%
£111,377 to any higher amount
14.5%
Pension contributions are taken off salaries before tax.
In addition, NHS Fife currently contributes 13.5% to an employee’s pension.
Please note, these contribution rates may be revised. Any changes will be posted on Dispatch
when they become available. On your payslip, the figure you will see is your contribution.
The NHS Pension Scheme
After 2 years of membership, an annual online statement will be available from SPPA showing
how much pension you have accrued. More information on the scheme can be found at
www.sppa.gov.uk
How to opt out
To opt out, you can obtain the relevant opt out form from SPPA’s website
http://www.sppa.gov.uk/Documents/NHS/NHS%20Useful%20Resources/NHS%20Forms/Optin
g%20out/OPTOUT%20NHS%202013%20V.1.pdf
Once you have completed it, send it to the Payrolll Dept (see payslip for details).
If your completed opt out form is received within 1 month of your start date you will be removed
from the pension scheme with effect from your start date. Any payments you have already
made will be refunded and you will not have become an active member of the scheme on this
occasion.
If you want to stop making payments at any time after 1 month of commencing employment you
can do so by completing the opt out form. Repayment of pension contributions and the
calculation of preserved benefits will be arranged by SPPA. Further information on refunds is
available on www.sppa.gov.uk - see NHS factsheet.
If you encounter any difficulties in accessing this form, please contact either your Line Manager
in the first instance or a member of the HR Department.
HMRC Protection
If you are one of the relatively small number of people who applied for, obtained and still hold a
Fixed Protection certificate from HM Revenue and Customs (which protects the total value of all
pension benefits you can have at £1.8 million without triggering an excess benefits tax charge)
or an Enhanced Protection certificate then you may lose the Fixed or Enhanced Protection if
you opt to remain in the scheme. If you currently hold HMRC Fixed or Enhanced Protection you
may wish to consider the consequences of further accrual of benefits as this may invalidate
your protection. Further information is available from HMRC
A regular reminder
Anyone who opts out will be automatically enrolled back into a pension scheme at a later date
(usually every three years). This is because your circumstances may have changed and it may
be the right time for you to start saving. We will contact you when this happens, and you can
opt out if it’s still not right for you.
A commitment from us
If you are under 75, work or usually work in the UK, and earn over £10,000 a year (the amount
set by the government for this):
- we must by law continue to maintain your membership of a scheme that meets certain
government standards; and
- if your membership of such a scheme ends (and it is not because of something you do or fail
to do), we must by law put you into another scheme that meets government standards
straightaway.
Questions you may have:
Will the amounts paid into my pension change?
Yes, the amounts will automatically increase or decrease accordingly if your earnings (exclusive
of overtime payments) go up or down.
If I opt out or stop making payments, can I rejoin a workplace pension scheme at a later
date?
Yes, you can rejoin a workplace pension scheme. To do so, contact your payroll contact (see
payslip for details) in writing by sending a letter, which has to be signed by you. Or, if sending it
electronically, it has to contain the phrase “I confirm I personally submitted this notice to join a
workplace pension scheme”.
What if I want to pay more into my pension?
You can increase the amount you put in if you want by buying Additional Pension. For full
details please see the Factsheet “Additional Pension” available on the SPPA website
http://www.sppa.gov.uk/ The amount contributed by the government in the form of tax relief
would also increase.
What is tax relief?
The government takes tax off your income. You can see this on your payslip. Tax relief means
some of your money that would have gone to the government as tax now reduces the actual
cost of contributing into the pension scheme. www.direct.gov.uk/workplacepensiontaxrelief
Where can I get further information?
If you have any questions about the pension scheme, contact:
SPPA
7 Tweedside Park
Tweedbank
Galashiels TD1 3TE
Telephone 01896 893000
www.sppa.gov.uk
If you have any questions about your enrolment or contribution levels, contact your payroll
contact (see payslip for details).
For information on pensions and saving for later life visit: www.direct.gov.uk/workplacepension
A booklet explaining pension auto enrolment together with Frequently Asked Questions has
been published by the Pension Regulator and can be found at
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/workplace-pensions-faq.pdf
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title:
PRINCIPAL CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Responsible to (insert job title):
HEAD OF CHILD PSYCHOTHERAPY
Department(s):
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH
CHP:
KIRKCALDY AND LEVENMOUTH
Job Reference:
No of Job Holders:
Last Update (insert date): 30.10.14
2. JOB PURPOSE

To provide highly specialist assessment and treatment interventions based on
psychoanalytic principles and perspectives with families, parents and/or carers, and
individually with children and adolescents.

To provide highly specialist consultation/supervision/training from a psychoanalytic
perspective within and out with the service.

To undertake audit, policy and service development and research.

To work with a high level of autonomy within professional guidelines.
3. DIMENSIONS

The post holder will provide highly specialist clinical assessment, formulation/diagnosis
and clinical treatment.
Child psychotherapists assess and treat children and
adolescents with a high level of co-morbidity who often exhibit their disturbance and
distress via severe behaviour and emotional disorders and difficulties, relationship
difficulties, depression, eating disorders and difficulties, attachment disorders and
difficulties, enuresis/ encopresis, aggression, self-harming, substance misuse or other
risky behaviours to themselves and others. These children and adolescents often have
a history of severe abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), severe neglect and deprivation,
severe trauma, complex bereavement, or have lived within the context of dysfunctional
families, domestic violence, parental mental health problems or addiction, displacement
(e.g. asylum seekers, refugees) or other adverse life events. A proportion of these
children will have failed to respond, or have been assessed as unlikely to respond to
other specialist intervention eg CBT/ Counselling/ Play Therapy.

The post holder will manage a workload of individual casework including the design,
implementation and evaluation of individual programmes of therapy. This work is across
the age range, from infancy to late adolescence.

The highly specialist therapeutic work of the post holder will include:
 Once weekly psychotherapy,
 Intensive (3-5 times per week)) psychotherapy,
 Brief work with children and adolescents,
 Work with groups of children and/or parents/carers.
 Under fives counselling (Brief Work)

The post holder will provide highly specialist consultation to professionals and agencies
involved in relevant care systems, in order to build consensus among professional and
agency networks to meet the needs of the children.

The post holder will have a leading role in the provision of highly specialist therapeutic
input in infant mental health, in line with the national strategy for infant mental health.
4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Clinical Services Manager
Clinical Team Leaders and
medical staff
Lead Child Psycho-therapist
Child
Psychotherapist
5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT
NHS Fife Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service offers a range of therapeutic
interventions and services for children and adolescents under 18 years old who are
experiencing mental health problems and for the families/carers of this patient group. In
conjunction with Child & Family Clinical Psychology, services are provided primarily by 3
Locality-based clinical teams, the Intensive Therapy Service, the Self Harm Support Service,
and the Child Sexual Abuse Team (CVC).
The service also provides consultancy, training and support to allied professionals, partner
agencies and referrers and is a key partner in the Fife strategy for improving the emotional
health and wellbeing of children.
6. KEY RESULT AREAS
Clinical
 To provide highly specialist psychoanalytic psychotherapy assessments
children/adolescents with severe, complex and persistent mental health problems.
for

To provide highly specialist psychoanalytic psychotherapy for the above patient group
where appropriate.

Assessment and therapy are based on an appropriate theoretical framework of the
patient’s problems, involves consideration of highly complex factors such as historical
and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group and
utilises techniques where there is evidence of effectiveness.

To accept referrals of children and adolescents through the departmental referral
allocation processes.

To communicate with patients, families, groups and other professionals in a skilled and
sensitive manner, using high levels of interpersonal skills, and in an understandable
format regarding information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment

To be responsible for implementing a range of psychotherapeutic interventions for
individuals, families and groups. To monitor progress and evaluate treatment options
taking into account both theoretical models and therapeutic methods utilised.

To exercise autonomous professional responsibility in managing the assessment,
treatment and discharge of patients whose care plans are primarily psychologically
based.

To work collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of
therapeutic programmes such as group therapy.

To work collaboratively with colleagues in the provision of consultation and training to
Primary Care professionals, voluntary agencies, relevant community projects and others
both formally and informally within the strategic framework of the Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Service.

To provide highly specialist psychoanalytic and psychological advice, guidance and
consultation to other professionals contributing directly to patient’s formulation,
diagnosis and treatment plan.

To participate in and encourage integrated approaches to working with other relevant
professionals involved in the patient’s care in line with current legislation for children’s
services

To provide written and verbal clinical reports (and occasionally legal reports) to the
referring agent and relevant others in a skilled and sensitive manner, containing
information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment of patients and to
provide progress reports during the course of therapeutic input.

To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for planning, managing and
prioritising clinical caseload and clinic appointments and maintaining associated case
records, in accordance with current local standards of practice within Fife CAMHS.

To assess and manage risk of suicide/harm to self and others of individual patients or
other risks and to provide advice to other professions on psychological aspects of risk
assessment and risk management

To participate in regular review and ongoing discussion of cases in treatment with other
members of the multidisciplinary team and, where appropriate, coordinate and organise
network meetings with professional members and other agencies.

To ensure a continuous update of theoretical knowledge and clinical skills through inservice training, personal reading and the attendance of workshops and other
educational events.

To maintain membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists.

To promote and maintain clinical standards as defined by NHS Fife’s Policies and
Procedures and other relevant ethical or legal obligations and to be responsible for
keeping abreast of any changes to these.

To maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with professional and service
guidelines.
Teaching, Training and Supervision:
 To provide teaching and training on psychological aspects of care to staff working with
the client group across a range of agencies and settings, as appropriate

To contribute highly specialist knowledge and skills to the pre-qualification teaching of
child psychotherapists and others, as required

To provide supervision to staff of other professions working with the client group across
a range of agencies and settings on psychological aspects of their work, as appropriate

To contribute to the continuing professional development of other members of Fife
CAMHS through in-house workshops and seminars.
Management, Recruitment, Policy and Service Development:
 To contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the operational policies
and services of NHS Fife CAMHS through the use of highly developed professional
skills in research, service evaluation and audit in consultation with line manager

To advise both service and professional management on those aspects of the service
where psychological and/or organisational matters need addressing

To take a lead role in the processes of creative and constructive problem solving during
periods of organisational evolution and change.

To make proposals for and contribute to policy implementation and service development
both within NHS Fife CAMHS and in multi-agency settings in the post-holder’s
designated locality

To be involved in the short listing and interviewing of voluntary workers etc, within NHS
Fife CAMHS, as appropriate
Research and Service Evaluation:

To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research/audit to support evidencebased practice in work with individuals, groups and teams across the service.

To undertake appropriate research including service evaluation and complex audit within
the service on an individual basis or with colleagues to help develop service provision.

To disseminate the findings of research, clinical service evaluation and audit to the wider
profession by contributing to conferences and professional journals.

To provide research advice/consultation to other professionals working with children and
families, regarding audit, service evaluation and research.

(To supervise research projects undertaken by other colleagues)
Continuing Professional Development:
 To receive and make appropriate use of regular clinical and professional supervision
from a senior child psychotherapist in common with all child psychotherapists and in
accordance with good practice guidelines.

To undertake a job appraisal and review of agreed goals for continuing professional
development on an annual basis.

To maintain and update knowledge and gain additional highly specialist experience and
skills relevant to both child & adolescent psychotherapy and CAMHS in order to meet
agreed goals for continuing professional development.

To develop and maintain the highest personal standards of professional practice
through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development
programmes.

To maintain a log of continuing professional development activities in accordance with
professional guidelines.

To participate in and contribute to the continuing professional development of other
members of NHS Fife CAMHS.
General:
 To contribute to the development and articulation of best practice in child psychotherapy
by continuing to develop the skills of a reflexive and reflective practitioner, taking part in
regular professional supervision and appraisal and maintaining an active engagement
with current developments in the field of child psychotherapy and related disciplines

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including data entry and
recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in
accordance with professional codes of practice and NHS Fife policies and procedures

To manage personal clinical workload and appropriate professional duties and
responsibilities to ensure an efficient and effective service

To abide by the Codes of Conduct applicable to all Child & Adolescent Psychotherapists

To maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation and national and local policies

To comply with the policies of NHS Fife, including Health and Safety and the care and
management of equipment and materials.
7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
• Frequent use of computers and Dictaphones
• Frequent use of a wide range of play and art materials and toys for therapeutic work with
children
• Regular travel between clinical settings requires the use of a motor vehicle
• Office equipment is regularly used such as photocopiers and paper shredders
• Equipment is used for teaching or clinical purposes such as overhead projectors, video
cameras, video
recorders and data (Powerpoint) projectors
7b. SYSTEMS
• Required to maintain accurate clinical notes and consultation records for every patient seen
as defined in the operational policy, utilising both case files and the services’ electronic patient
record system and correspond with referring and other relevant agencies as appropriate
• Required to provide weekly appointment diaries for administrative purposes and complete
eExpenses
• Required to provide weekly statistics on client contacts using OASIS
• Knowledge and competent use of computer software packages is essential such as:
1) Software packages such as Microsoft Office for producing text, databases and
spreadsheets
2) Software packages such as SPSS for the storage, manipulation and statistical analysis of
data
3) Use of online databases and e-library resources for literature reviews
8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

The post holder is expected to exercise autonomous professional responsibility on a
day-to-day basis for managing personal clinical caseload including the assessment,
treatment and discharge of patients whose care plans are primarily psychologically
based.

The post holder is required to autonomously anticipate and take steps to resolve
problems that occur within the designated practices and areas of clinical work
associated with the post.

The post holder works autonomously within professional guidelines and the overall
framework of the service’s and Trust’s policies and procedures including those relating
to Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information.

The assignment of clinical cases is autonomous, based on the post holder’s own
assessment of capacity and the clinical needs of the locality.

The post holder is expected to receive and make appropriate use of regular clinical and
professional supervision from a senior child psychotherapy colleague in common with all
child psychotherapists and in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

The clinical service manager may assign service evaluation and audit tasks or the postholder may work on these autonomously.

Reviews of work and professional development are undertaken by the line manager, on
a regular basis in common with all child psychotherapists and in accordance with
professional practice guidelines.
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS

With regard to clinical work, the post holder must decide on the most appropriate
treatment option based on the clinical material provided by the patient and gained
through other informants during assessment. As new information is obtained, the post
holder must compare this with previously held information and assess the suitability of
the therapeutic approach being undertaken. The post holder may reformulate the client’s
case depending on the new information gathered and consequently alter the treatment
approach accordingly.

In relation to risk assessment and child protection, the post holder is required to respond
to information from the client or another individual that suggests that the patient or
another person is at risk of physical harm. This involves making appropriate enquiries
and informing the relevant agencies whilst also respecting the patient’s right to
confidentiality as much as is possible.

The post holder exercises clinical autonomy for decisions concerning prioritisation of
own caseload, treatment and discharge of cases, frequency of appointments and
appropriateness of venue.

Ongoing assessments of need and risk will often be made by the post holder as a lone
worker during the implementation of treatment.

The post holder will make judgements in the evaluation of psychotherapy interventions.
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

Clinical work involves working intensively with emotionally/psychologically disturbed
children and/or their parents/carers. For an hour at a time, or longer if group work, this
can involve listening to and/or having patient’s accounts of traumatic life experiences
corroborated. These experiences can include physical, emotional, sexual abuse and/or
neglect. The post holder can also bear witness to the patient’s high levels of associated
emotional distress. The post holder must maintain a high degree of professionalism
when faced with such emotive and distressing situations and continue to provide a
stable and secure therapeutic environment.

Carrying out complex assessments in the context of frequent exposure to highly
distressing and emotional circumstances arising from the demanding and challenging
nature of the work with this clinical population, and often doing so while lone working.

Managing the anxieties, stress and sometimes hostility of carers and other colleagues
involved with the patient.

Responding to urgent situations whilst holding a full caseload and managing other
clinical responsibilities.

Focussed and sustained concentration required for long periods of time during clinical
work with patients.

Ability to move quickly and seamlessly between different tasks such as work with
patients, research activity and professional development so as to be able to competently
meet the demands of each situation.

Working in a variety of settings and the travel time between bases puts demands on
time management skills.

Working within different professional networks and agencies can be time-consuming
and challenging at times.
11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Communication:
 The post holder is constantly required to use complex and highly developed therapeutic
skills in sensitive communication with patients and families, colleagues and other
professionals. The post holder is also required to consider the method of communication
utilised with children and young people as this may need to be adapted depending on
their developmental age and level of understanding.

The post holder communicates with GPs, other members of the primary care team,
paediatricians, psychiatrists, educational psychologists and social work colleagues
regarding clients’ needs on a regular basis to ensure efficiency of service delivery.

Communication with clients regularly involves dealing with highly complex and sensitive
information. Issues of confidentiality and discretion have to be negotiated regularly and
dealt with prudently and judiciously.

The post holder conducts both planned and impromptu telephone conversations with
professionals and carers regarding patient treatment needs.

Patients sometimes present with barriers to communication such as sensory
impairments and cognitive impairments. Such barriers need to be thoughtfully and
appropriately negotiated, making use of supports or services where needed, in order to
ensure that the patient can access and make use of therapy.

The post holder provides written reports as required for GPs, other relevant
professionals, solicitors and the Children’s Panel.

Barriers to understanding have to be negotiated. Different professions can have different
ways of understanding patient’s presentations – for example the difference between a
medical model and a psychological perspective. Differences must be explored and
resolved to maintain effective communication, and patient care.

Consultancy work is undertaken with colleagues outside the child psychotherapy and
CAMHS to inform patient management.

Teaching and training is provided to colleagues and trainees both within and out with the
profession, as required.

Conference presentations and journal publications require ideas to be communicated
articulately and coherently.

Regular email communication with CAMHS colleagues as well as other professionals.
Relationships:
 To form and maintain appropriate therapeutic relationships with children, adolescents,
families and carers.

Ability to foster productive working relationships with departmental colleagues and
colleagues from other professions and agencies. Work collaboratively to provide a coordinated and effective service alongside other services, for example education, social
work and or foster care.
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical
 Driving (where appropriate)
Emotional
 Communication with distressed, anxious patients, families/carers.
 Managing the disclosure of child physical and sexual abuse.
 Listening to details of child physical and sexual abuse within therapy sessions.
 Containing fear/anxieties of patients, families/carers and other professionals in
relation to the mental welfare of patient children and adolescents.
Mental
 Intense individual psychotherapy sessions.
 Concentration required when providing above.
 Time management.
 Retention and communication of complex knowledge and information.
 Writing of specialised reports.
Environmental
 Occasional exposure to verbal/physical aggression.
13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB



Postgraduate accredited qualification in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic
Psychotherapy.
Membership of the Association of Child Psychotherapists.
Substantial experience of working with children and families (0-18 years) presenting
with a broad range of clinical severity in a CAMH setting or its equivalent.






Excellent communication and organisational skills.
The ability to reflect on personal practice and assist colleagues in the same.
Evidence of the ability to work independently and to manage a caseload.
Evidence of a commitment to evidence based practice.
Knowledge of all current legislation relevant to child and adolescent mental health, in
particular the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and Mental Health Act (Scotland) 2003.
Knowledge of SIGN and NICE guidelines relevant to the Child and Adolescent Mental
Health specialty.
14. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
A separate job description will need to be signed off by each jobholder to
whom the job description applies.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Date:
Head of Department Signature:
Date:
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION STANDARDS
PERSON SPECIFICATION FORM
Post Title/Grade :8a Principal Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Department/Ward: CAMHS
Date: 5.3.13
Experience
Qualifications/
Training
Knowledge
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Substantial experience of
working with children and
families (0-18) presenting
with a broad range of
clinical severity in a
CAMHS or similar setting.
Experience of
multidisciplinary team
working in NHS or
equivalent
Doctoral level accredited
qualification in Child and
Adolescent
Psychotherapy
Membership of the
Association of Child
Psychotherapy(ACP)
In depth understanding of
psychoanalytic theory
underpinning child
psychotherapy training.
In depth knowledge of
child development.
An in depth
understanding of the
impact of trauma, abuse
and neglect on the
developing child.
An understanding of the
roles of the range of
professionals within a
multidisciplinary
Specialist CAMH Service.
Knowledge of child care
law and the Mental Health
Act in Scotland
Knowledge of relevant
government policy
documents related to
CAMHS .
Experience of
working with looked
after and
accommodated
children and young
people.
MEASURE
Application form
Interview
Written
confirmation
Application form
Interview
Qualification
certificates
Knowledge of relevant
NICE guidance .
Skills
Ability to understand
unconscious
communications of
children and young
people.
Application Form,
Interview
As above
Ability to make use of
Supervision.
Ability to use computer
software including
Microsoft word, Email,
PowerPoint.
Able to use online
databases
Ability to provide
supervision and
consultation
Application form
Interview
Able to use a
Dictaphone,
photocopier and
other office
equipment and other
electronic
equipment needed
for teaching.
Application form,
Interview
Application form,
Interview
Application form,
interview
Application form
interview
Able to write complex
reposts including court
reports.
Aptitude
Other
e.g. Team
Player, Be able
to travel
Able to manage time and
to ensure administration
is effectively managed.
.
Ability to undertake
research, clinical service
evaluation and audit
Ability to work well as a
member of a team.
Application Form
Interview
Capacity to contain high
levels of anxiety in
patients and networks.
Application form,
Interview
Have good interpersonal
skills and be able to
communicate effectively
with a range of
professionals and
patients about complex
matters
Interview,
Application form
Be able to travel
around Fife.
Application form,
Interview