Be part of shaping something new – lead our brand-new CAMHS service in Chelmsford. This is a Full time, 37.5 hour role.
Are you ready to take the next step in your CAMHS career? We're offering an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) ward at Priory Hospital Chelmsford. This is a rare chance to build a new service line with the backing of the UK’s leading independent mental healthcare provider.
We already deliver high-quality CAMHS services at several other Priory sites – now we’re expanding in Chelmsford, and we need an experienced Consultant CAMHS Psychiatrist to help us launch and lead this new inpatient ward from the ground up.
We are open to discussing flexibility with candidates, including the option to work from home one day a week.
Priory Hospital Chelmsford is a long-established private hospital set in three acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. With 56 beds across our existing acute and addiction pathways, this expansion introduces a new CAMHS ward, offering inpatient care for young people aged 13–18.
As Consultant CAMHS Psychiatrist, you will take a central leadership role in developing and delivering this new service. You will provide expert clinical oversight to a dedicated multidisciplinary team, helping to shape a positive, recovery-focused culture for young people and their families.
You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients.
- Serve as Consultant and Responsible Clinician, leading patient care planning and multidisciplinary collaboration across inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Assess and manage complex cases, chair MDT/CPA meetings, and liaise with patients, families, and external stakeholders.
- Provide clinical leadership alongside the Ward Manager, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational standards.
- Contribute to governance and quality improvement through active participation in ward, CAMHS, and service development meetings.
- Engage in academic activities including teaching, case presentations, audit, research, and ongoing professional development.
You can find additional information in the attached job description.
Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same! Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.
The successful candidate will hold full GMC registration with inclusion on the Specialist Register, along with CAMHS CCT or equivalent CESR, and Approved Clinician status. They will bring significant experience working within CAMHS inpatient and/or community settings, demonstrating advanced clinical expertise and sound clinical judgement. As a compassionate and collaborative leader, they will possess excellent teamworking and communication skills, alongside a thorough understanding of the Mental Health Act (MHA) and Mental Capacity Act (MCA), ensuring safe, effective, and legally compliant practice.
For more information about the role, you can email
[email protected]
We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.
- Free on-site parking
- Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
- Enhanced maternity pay
- Contributory pension scheme
- Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
- Access to development opportunities
- Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
- Leadership & management development
- Long service award
- Refer a friend bonuses
Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.
Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care. With 12,000 colleagues and a network of 270 services, we support over 24,000 people each year to live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions – including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and children’s mental health – and provide residential and supported living care for autistic adults, people with a learning disability, Prader–Willi Syndrome, brain injuries and older people.
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to providing an inclusive, accessible recruitment process. Learn more about the accessibility support we offer here.
For agency enquiries and applications, please view our legal statement here.
All roles are subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.
