Clinical Lead PALMS Intensive Intervention Team - NHS

Job overview

Do you want to influence the development of an evolving service as part of our leadership Team? Do you want to be part of a vibrant and passionate multi-disciplinary team working alongside Clinical Psychologists, Positive Behaviour Analysts, Psychiatrists and Outreach Workers?

This MDT works collaboratively and in collaboration with the wider PALMS’ MDT to support CYP as well as working with colleagues in the existing Hertfordshire crisis service C-CATT (CAMHS Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team).

The Positive behaviour, Autism, Learning disability, Mental health Service (PALMS) team is friendly, cohesive and proactive. We value feedback and empower all team members to contribute to the continuous development of the service and welcome innovation and change.

Main duties of the job

The ideal candidate will be:

• Passionate about combining both clinical and leadership skills and have a desire to contribute to change in a vibrant NHS team
• Able to make highly skilled evaluations and decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group.
• Able to provide expert clinical support and advice to team members
• To be able to lead in the coordination and monitoring of various systems within the service
• Able to formulate risk management plans and be able to support other team members in doing so.
• Able to provide specialist advice and consultation to clinicians responding to emergencies as part of the Priority Pathway.
• Able to provide clinical supervision and line management for some members of the team.
• Able to delegate effectively to peers
• Able to provide cover for the PALMS Service Lead in times of absence
• Able to maintain a high degree of professionalism when working in settings where there is a highly emotive atmosphere.
• Flexible in their approach and have resilience under pressure
• Able to work both in a team environment and autonomously
• Have professional registration for your specialty

Working for our organisation

We can offer you:

• Regular clinical and professional supervision including opportunities to meet as a team including peer reflection
• Regular appraisal, personal development planning and opportunities for continuing professional development. This includes specific support with regards to fulfilling the PALMS’ role.
• Opportunities to work closely with a multi-disciplinary team and learn from other evidence based frameworks and approaches.
• Opportunities to provide clinical supervision and line management to other members of the PALMS IIT and core PALMS team as appropriate.
• Opportunities to connect with local and national networks
• Involvement in providing training.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

PALMS provides input to CYP on three distinct pathways of tailored intervention: ‘standard’, ‘heavy’ and ‘intensive’. There has been an increase in the number of CYP presenting in/at risk of going into crisis; These children and families require a significant amount of clinical input to enable de-escalation, reduce risks and decrease the likelihood of being placed out of county.

Simultaneously, Hertfordshire is committed to realising the vision of the long term plan. PALMS have therefore been provided with additional funding to support the PALMS’ population who are at risk of, or at, crisis.

Alongside supporting these CYP and their families, the work of the team provides decision makers with evidence informed options and clear recommendations for developing and delivering an effective multiagency crisis service that is responsive to needs within Hertfordshire and which fully meets the vision of the long term plan.

Applicants are to be aware that PALMS IIT work within the ULEZ zone and any charges due to non-compliant vehicles cannot be reimbursed by the Trust.

PALMS IIT principally deliver a flexible service according to need and personal circumstances, in a planned way. For example, for a full-time worker this equates to flexibly working 37.5 across the working week. PALMS are open to flexible working and therefore part time / job share would be considered, working a minimum of 0.6 WTE.

We are committed to supporting flexible working options for staff, wherever possible, and welcome discussions on flexible working patterns to support our staff to maintain a healthy work life balance.

We welcome diversity in our workforce and are interested in applicants from all backgrounds and ages

Interviews will be run either in person at one of our bases or using Microsoft Teams, full details and instructions will be provided to successful candidates.

Interview date: 13th May 2025

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

• Degree/Diploma in Nursing supplemented by specialist training to Masters Level Or A recognised Degree/Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy or equivalent qualification supplemented by specialist training to Masters Level Or A recognised Degree/Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis and / or Intellectual and Development Disabilities or equivalent qualification supplemented by specialist training to Masters Level Or Postgraduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology Or MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy Or MSc in Child Psychotherapy Or A qualified Social Worker with relevant clinical experience. Or MSc in Occupational Therapy and relevant clinical experience.
• Post-doctoral or post qualification training in relevant areas of Autism, Learning Disability and mental health
• Registration with appropriate professional Body

• Management Qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

• Significant post qualification experience of working clinically in a mental health and/or learning disability setting for children and young people (CYP) assessing, containing and managing complex cases in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Experience of communicating effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to CYP, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision
• Experience of dealing with Safeguarding Incidents
• Experience of leading on and reporting against Clinical Governance
• Experience of managing complaints

• Experience of Leading on Service Development
• Experience of implementing and coordinating a multidisciplinary duty system.

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options, which may be conflicting and where expert opinion differs or some information is unavailable.
• Able to independently plan, organise and prioritise a number of competing demands on an individual and service level
• Able to manage highly emotive situations including distress and aggression and communicate complex information in this context
• Up to date knowledge of policies and procedures and clinical issues relating to specific client group.
• Knowledge of current developments specific to the PALMS remit and professional background.

• Practical computing skills including the use of databases and spreadsheets

Personal Abilities

• An interest in, and commitment to, working with children who have a learning disability and/or an autistic spectrum disorder and/or mental health difficulties
• Values that match positive behaviour practices
• Ability to think clearly, and express self
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships
• Ability to provide both clinical and managerial leadership
• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently

Other Specifications

• Willingness to uphold the Trust’s values
• Eligible to live and work in the UK
• Willingness to travel to alternate locations to provide services