Community CAMHS Consultant Psychiatrist – South Kent with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Information
This position is eligible for a Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer before making an application. The employer is committed to supporting international candidates who meet all the necessary professional requirements for this NHS consultant position.
Job Summary
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is seeking a dedicated Community CAMHS Consultant Psychiatrist to join the South Kent team from 1st April 2026. This exciting opportunity allows you to make a significant impact on children and young people’s mental health services in the Dover and Folkestone areas, serving a combined Child and Young People population of over 47,000.
About the Role
The South Kent CAMHS Community team provides specialized Tier 3 services for children and young people under 18 years old, offering assessment and treatment for a wide range of disorders including ADHD, ASD, mood disorders, psychosis, PTSD, anxiety disorders, emerging personality disorders, and challenging behavior. This is a permanent, full-time position with a salary ranging from £109,725 to £145,478 per annum.
Key Responsibilities
As a consultant psychiatrist, you will be responsible for providing autonomous, specialized mental health services to children and young people. Your duties will include conducting comprehensive assessments, developing care plans, providing expert clinical care, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
Professional Requirements
Applicants must hold an MB BS or equivalent medical qualification and be fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise. You should ideally be on the GMC Specialist Register or within six months of completing your CCT in psychiatry. Additionally, you will need Approved Clinician status and S12 approval under the Mental Health Act, or demonstrate eligibility to achieve these within three months of appointment.
Essential Qualifications
Essential qualifications include excellent knowledge in psychiatry, particularly in child and adolescent mental health. You must demonstrate mastery in managing a broad range of mental disorders in children, including neurodevelopmental disorders. Strong clinical skills using a bio-psycho-social perspective and excellent oral and written communication skills in English are also required.
Desirable Qualifications
While not essential, desirable qualifications include MRCPsych or equivalent, additional clinical qualifications, and a wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to the post within the NHS or comparable services. Practical experience in short-term psychological therapy is also considered advantageous.
Clinical Experience
Candidates must demonstrate excellent clinical skills using a bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge. You should be able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty, making decisions based on evidence and experience. Experience in managing patients from different cultural backgrounds and working with interpreters and translators is essential.
Professional Development
The post holder should demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development and participate in research or service evaluation. You should be able to use and appraise clinical evidence effectively and have actively participated in clinical audit and quality improvement programmes.
Leadership and Teamwork
This role requires the ability to work effectively within a team and demonstrate leadership capabilities. You should show commitment to shared leadership and collaborative working to deliver service improvements. Experience in delivering undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training is also essential.
Transport Requirements
The post holder must hold a valid UK driving licence or provide evidence of a proposed alternative method of transport to enable travel between different service locations across the South Kent area.
About Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
We are a forward-thinking mental health trust providing care across Kent and Medway. We support over 1.8 million people through both hospital and community settings, making care more joined up and easier to access. Rated ‘Good’ by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.
Our Vision and Values
Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. We are passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Our work is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Benefits Package
This post offers a comprehensive benefits package including a newly enhanced recruitment bonus of £20,000, financial support for relocation of up to £8,000, generous annual leave and study leave entitlement, access to the fantastic NHS pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements.
Professional Development Opportunities
We offer excellent learning and development opportunities for doctors at all grades, including chances to engage in leadership, educational, research, and quality improvement development. Easy access to an in-house research team and academic opportunities through Kent’s own Medical school are also available.
Additional Benefits
Additional benefits include free access to an independent counselling service, Blue Light Card offering thousands of amazing discounts, car lease scheme, and a variety of staff network forums that promote equality and diversity. We also offer a Holiday of a Lifetime Scheme where you can bank annual leave for extended breaks.
Application Process
All applications must be submitted through the NHS Jobs website. The closing date for applications is 12 April 2026. Part-time or job-share applications are welcome and will be given equal consideration.
How to Apply
Apply via NHS Jobs website. For international applicants, please ensure you have verified your visa eligibility with the employer before submitting your application. Required documents include your medical qualifications, GMC registration proof, evidence of clinical experience, and any relevant specialist qualifications. For questions about the application process, contact Dr Mohan Bhat (Deputy Chief Medical Officer (workforce)) at mohan.bhat1@nhs.net or 07305809804.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. All successful candidates will need to undergo this standard NHS employment check.
Criminal Records Requirements
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present criminal record certificates from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants over 18 years old are also subject to this requirement.
Employer Contact Details
For questions about the job, contact Dr Mohan Bhat (Deputy Chief Medical Officer (workforce)) at mohan.bhat1@nhs.net or 07305809804. The employer’s website is https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk where you can find more information about the trust and our services.
Location and Work Environment
The position is based at Cherry Tree House, Cheriton High Street, Folkestone, CT18 8AN. The working environment is supportive and collaborative, with access to excellent facilities and resources. The South Kent area offers a good quality of life with excellent transport links and beautiful coastal surroundings.
Equal Opportunities
Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Further Information
For detailed information regarding the role, please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents. The job description provides the main duties and responsibilities, while the person specification details the qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experience required for the position. Supporting documents are available through the NHS Jobs application portal.