Highly Specialist Child Adolescent Psychotherapist with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Note
This position offers a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates. Applicants must verify visa eligibility requirements with the employer before applying. Immigration rules may vary based on country of origin and professional qualifications.
Job Overview
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a highly qualified Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist to join their Generic Team at Greenwich CAMHS. This senior clinical position offers a competitive salary of £63,665 to £70,887 per year (inclusive) for a full-time, permanent contract with UK visa sponsorship available.
About the Employer
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive healthcare services across community and secure settings. With over 4,300 staff members and more than 125 sites across South England, the trust delivers mental health services, community healthcare, and support for people with learning disabilities. The trust operates within London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, and parts of Kent.
Role Summary
As a Highly Specialist Child Adolescent Psychotherapist, you’ll join an established team working to become more responsive and needs-led. You’ll play an active role in the service’s clinical leadership team, delivering Directorate and Trust initiatives at service level. The post requires ACP accreditation and involves working with children, young people and their families in a community-based setting.
Key Responsibilities
You’ll work within Child Protection, Deliberate Self Harm, and Substance Misuse guidelines. Duties include monitoring and evaluating risk to/from children, providing highly specialist psychoanalytic psychotherapy assessment and treatment, and collaborating with multi-disciplinary team members for specialist clinical services. Regular case reviews and discussions are required.
Clinical Duties
Responsibilities include providing highly specialist psychoanalytic psychotherapy assessment for children with severe, complex mental health issues. You’ll make evidence-based decisions about treatment options considering developmental processes. The role also involves assessment and support for vulnerable parents/carers and families with complex problems.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential requirements include doctorate-level qualification and ACP accreditation as a Child Psychotherapist. NHS experience with children and young people is mandatory. Ideal candidates will have 3+ years as a Child Psychotherapist, with 2-3 years working with children and families in relevant fields.
Additional Requirements
Applicants must have experience supervising junior staff and trainees. Knowledge of psychoanalytical theory, systems theory, and attachment theory is essential. The role requires comprehensive risk assessment and safety planning skills based on the Association of Child Psychotherapists’ Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics.
Working Environment
The Greenwich CAMHS team is an established, active, diverse, and creative group offering regular supervision, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, annual conferences, and innovative collaborations. The base is located in London with modern facilities and resources.
Pay and Benefits
This position is paid on Agenda for Change pay scale Band 8a, with annual salary ranging from £63,665 to £70,887. Benefits include NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave (27 days plus bank holidays), professional development funding, and employee wellbeing services.
Contract Details
This permanent, full-time position requires 37.5 hours per week Monday-Friday. The post includes a certificate of sponsorship for eligible international candidates seeking UK work authorization. The contract includes probationary period and NHS terms and conditions.
Application Process
To apply, visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 277-7923912-CYP. Applications close on 10 May 2026. Required documentation includes qualification certificates, professional registration evidence, and CV with two professional references.
How to Apply as an International Candidate
International applicants must:
- Verify UK work visa eligibility with employer before applying
- Prepare qualification certificates and professional registration documents
- Provide English language proficiency proof (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Obtain criminal record certificates from all countries of residence
- Complete enhanced DBS check upon conditional offer
- Submit application via NHS Jobs website with all supporting documents
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This position requires an enhanced DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Successful candidates must disclose any criminal convictions that might affect suitability to work with children and young people. Overseas applicants must provide equivalent criminal record checks.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must hold current UK professional registration as a Child Psychotherapist. Oxleas will assist with registration through the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) process as part of the sponsorship application. Registration must be obtained before starting employment.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact Ana Ferreira, Lead Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, via email at a.ferreira@nhs.net or phone at 02032605211. The employer welcomes pre-application discussions regarding the position and visa sponsorship requirements.
About Greenwich CAMHS
Greenwich Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provides specialist mental health support to children, young people, and families in the London Borough of Greenwich. The service works with individuals aged 0-18 experiencing emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties, offering assessment, treatment, and therapeutic interventions.
Equal Opportunities
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, or age. The trust actively promotes workforce diversity and supports flexible working arrangements.
Professional Development
The trust invests in staff development through regular clinical supervision, access to training programs, and conference attendance. This position offers opportunities for career progression, research involvement, and participation in service development initiatives. Continuing professional development is fully supported.
Work-Life Balance
Oxleas recognizes the importance of work-life balance and offers flexible working hours where possible. The trust provides access to employee wellbeing services including counseling, occupational health support, and stress management programs. Annual leave allowance exceeds national NHS standards.
Additional Information
For more details about Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, visit http://oxleas.nhs.uk/. The trust’s privacy notice for applicants is available online. All applications are treated confidentially. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview via video conference for international applicants, with potential for in-person follow-up.
Next Steps
If you meet the essential criteria, we encourage early application. The trust seeks a dynamic, creative therapist ready to contribute significantly to the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy team. With sponsorship available, this represents an exceptional opportunity for international professionals to develop their careers within the NHS.
Visa Sponsorship Details
The certificate of sponsorship will be provided for eligible candidates applying through the UK Skilled Worker visa route. Applicants must demonstrate they meet the visa requirements including English language proficiency, appropriate qualifications, and sufficient maintenance funds. The sponsorship is subject to UK Visas and Immigration approval.
Application Support
International candidates may request application support from the trust’s HR team. The trust can provide guidance on document preparation, visa application processes, and relocation to the UK. Pre-application telephone consultations are available to discuss eligibility requirements.
Service Development
The successful candidate will contribute to service development initiatives including pathway redesign, outcome measurement, and service evaluation. Opportunities exist for involvement in research projects and innovative therapeutic approaches within the CAMHS framework.
Clinical Supervision
The post includes regular clinical supervision from experienced psychotherapists. Supervision frequency is determined by ACP guidelines and individual needs. The team values reflective practice and provides protected supervision time for all clinical staff.
Multi-Disciplinary Working
You’ll collaborate closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and other therapists within the multi-disciplinary team. The service values integrated working and shared decision-making to provide holistic care for children and families.
Service User Involvement
The service actively involves service users in service development and evaluation. Opportunities exist for participation in co-production initiatives, user feedback groups, and involvement in designing therapeutic interventions.
Research Opportunities
Oxleas supports staff involvement in research through partnerships with academic institutions. Opportunities exist for publication, conference presentations, and contribution to service evaluation projects. The trust provides research time and resources for approved projects.
Emergency Response
The role may involve participation in the trust’s emergency response procedures for mental health crises. Training will be provided in crisis intervention, risk assessment, and safeguarding protocols. The service maintains robust systems for managing urgent situations.
Service Location
The post is based at Greenwich CAMHS, with some community-based work across the borough. The service has modern facilities including consultation rooms, group work spaces, and play therapy rooms. Parking is available with public transport links nearby.
Team Structure
The Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy team consists of highly specialists, specialists, and trainees. The team is part of the wider CAMHS Directorate which includes specialist teams for eating disorders, learning disabilities, and Looked After Children.
Service Improvement
The team participates in quality improvement initiatives including audit cycles, outcome measurement, and service user feedback analysis. Opportunities exist for leading service improvement projects and implementing evidence-based practice developments.
Professional Networks
Oxleas supports membership in professional organizations including the Association of Child Psychotherapists, UK Council for Psychotherapy, and other relevant bodies. Conference attendance is funded for professional development purposes.
Remote Working
The trust offers hybrid working arrangements with some remote work possible. Clinical duties require in-person attendance, but administrative tasks can be completed remotely. Equipment for home working is provided where applicable.
Career Progression
This position offers clear pathways for career progression within the trust and wider NHS. Opportunities exist for senior clinical roles, managerial positions, and specialist interests in areas like trauma, neurodiversity, or specific therapeutic modalities.
Application Checklist
Before applying, ensure you have:
- Current ACP accreditation
- UK professional registration (or evidence of application)
- NHS experience with children and adolescents
- Supervision experience
- Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain)
- Right to work in UK or eligibility for sponsorship
- Two professional references
Interview Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a panel interview with clinical and managerial staff. International applicants may have an initial video interview followed by in-person assessment. The interview will assess clinical skills, professional knowledge, and cultural fit.