Child and adolescent psychiatry
Child and adolescent psychiatrists treat children and young people up to the age of 18 with a range of mental health conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, depression and eating disorders.
Their work makes a significant difference to the lives of very vulnerable children and young people.
Life as a child and adolescent psychiatrist
It’s an interesting role full of complex challenges and you’ll need to combine the rigours and science of medicine with the creativity of therapy.
You’ll need to adapt and take different approaches to different patients with a wide range of problems including:
- neuro-developmental problems arising in childhood
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- autism and learning disability
- tic disorders
- emotional and behavioural problems
- disruptive behaviour
- feeding and toileting difficulties
- depression
- anxiety and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
- response to trauma or life adjustment (such as domestic violence and divorce)
- attachment disorders
- other significant mental health problems
- eating disorders
- psychosis
- self-harm and attempted suicide
You’ll work within a large multidisciplinary team and alongside a patient’s family and carers, their schoolteachers and other specialists such as a paediatricians. You’ll be expected to provide advice and leadership to the wider team, often delivering your expertise to other professionals rather than the patient themselves.
You’ll be responsible for advocating for children and young people and improving public mental health. So, you’ll need an excellent understanding of legal frameworks, educational provision and safeguarding.
How much can I earn?
You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. Find out details of current salary ranges for foundation and specialty training, SAS doctors and consultants on the 'Pay for doctors' page.
How about the benefits?
- make a difference
- flexible and part-time working
- high income early in your career
- work anywhere in the world
- excellent pension scheme
- good holiday entitlement
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
- excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families
- emotional resilience, a calm temperament and the ability to work well under pressure
- teamwork and the capacity to lead multidisciplinary teams
- problem-solving and diagnostic skills
- outstanding organisational ability and effective decision-making skills
- first-class time and resource management for the benefit of patients
Entry requirements
Your first step is medical school. Typically, you’ll need excellent GCSEs and three A or A* passes at A level including chemistry for a five-year undergraduate degree in medicine. Many medical schools also ask for biology and others may require maths or physics.
If you already have a degree, you could study for a four-year postgraduate degree in medicine.
You’ll need to pass an interview and admissions test. You’ll be asked to show how you demonstrate the NHS values such as compassion and respect.
Some medical schools look to recruit a mix of students from different backgrounds and geographical areas, so your educational and economic background and family circumstances could be considered as part of your application.
"My job is unpredictable, challenging and extremely varied. 50% of mental health issues are detectable at the age of 14 and 75% by the age of 18. Early intervention can make all the difference, even to potentially serious illnesses such as psychosis."
Read Rory's story.
What are my chances of starting a career in general medicine?
There are approximately 627 child and adolescent psychiatrists working in the NHS in England. In 2020, there were 72 applications for 56 specialty training places.
How to become a child and adolescent psychiatrist
After medical school, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings.
After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a child and adolescent psychiatrist, which will take a minimum of six years.
You may be able to train part time, for example for health reasons or if you have family or caring responsibilities.
Where a career as a child and adolescent psychiatrist can take you
There are no formal sub-specialties within child and adolescent psychiatry. However, there are a number of growing special interest areas including:
- inpatient
- infant mental health
- neuro-developmental
- learning disability
- eating disorders
- forensic
- substance misuse
- liaison
You could specialise or conduct research, teach medical students or postgraduate students in training and get involved in research at universities, the NHS or private sector.
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Consultant Psychiatrist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Morpeth, NE61 2NU
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
North Shields, NE29 0HG
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Oldham, OL4 1DE
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
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Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (SCASS)
London, WC1N 3JH
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
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Locum Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1LD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (CCATT)
Radlett, WD7 9HQ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Forest)
Radlett, WD7 9HQ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Interventions
Cardiff, CF11 9XB
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
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Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAMHS)
Keighley, BD20 6LD
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - IOW
Newport, PO30 5TG
- Salary :
- £99532.00 to £131964.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (Eating Disorder)
Radlett, WD7 9HQ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist
Charlwood, RH6 0BN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
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TPD for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry NorthEast London
London, E14 4PU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
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Fixed Term Specialty Doctor Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
London, SE13 6QJ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locum Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (DBT Team)
Radlett, WD7 9HQ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - East & Central Bristol
Bristol, BS5 0AX
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
-
Assistant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Barnstaple, EX31 3UD
- Salary :
- £37338.00 to £44962.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
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Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologist
Milton Keynes, MK5 6AJ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- DoctorPA Secure LTD
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Senior Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Barnstaple, EX31 3UD
- Salary :
- £47809.00 to £62681.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
-
Child and Adolescent psychotherapist – under 5s team
Barnet, EN5 3DJ
- Salary :
- £61631.00 to £68623.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North London NHS Foundation Trust
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Research Clinician in Child and Adolescent Mental Health
London, SE5 8AZ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
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CYP Principal Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist 8a - 8b
Chester, CH1 3DY
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant Psychiatrist in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Marlborough
Marlborough, SN8 3HL
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford Health NHS Trust
-
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Oldham, OL1 2JH
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Consultant Psychiatrist in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - North Core
Peterborough, PE3 6DB
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Swindon
Swindon, SN1 4JS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford Health NHS Trust
-
Child & Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist -Inpatient
Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4NQ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - Crisis pathway
Cardiff, CF11 9XB
- Salary :
- £110240.00 to £160951.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
-
Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
Coventry, CV1 2NJ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust
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Consultant/Specialist Dr-Child&Adolescent Psychiatry-Weymouth/Portland
Weymouth, DT4 7TB
- Salary :
- £100870.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant/Specialist Dr-Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Bmth & Xchurch
Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4LB
- Salary :
- £100870.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist + RRP up to 30%
Derby, DE23 6SA
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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COMMUNITY CHILD & ADOLESCENT EATING DISORDER CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST
Essex, CM2 0QT
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
-
Family Systemic Psychotherapist OR Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist
Enfield, EN2 6NZ
- Salary :
- £61631.00 to £68623.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Systemic Therapist Practitioner, CBT/Child Adolescent Psychotherapist
Barking, IG11 7LZ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Adolescent Psychiatrist
Bury, BL9 7TD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Senior Practitioner
Worcester, WR5 1JG
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £45580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
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Child and Family Trauma Therapist
Bradford , BD1 4QU
- Salary :
- £34511.00 to £38000.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Family Action
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Child and Well-Being Practitioner
Manchester, M13 0RR
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
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Child and Family Assistant Support Worker
Walsall, WS5 4NL
- Salary :
- £26000.00 to £27000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust
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Child and Family Assistant Support Worker
Worcester, WR5 3EZ
- Salary :
- £26000.00 to £27000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust
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Haven Adolescent Advocate
London, SE5 9RS
- Salary :
- £46419.00 to £55046.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant in CAMHS - Ashurst Child and Family Centre
Southampton, SO40 7AR
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant in CAMHS - Ashurst Child and Family Centre
Southampton, SO40 7AR
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Child Health Receptionist
Wrexham, LL13 7TD
- Salary :
- £24833.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
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Specialty Doctor CAMHS at Collingham Child and Family Centre
London, W8 5LW
- Salary :
- £59175.00 to £95400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
-
Administrator - Healthy Child Programme
Crawley,Lancing, BN2 3EW
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
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B5 Child Wellbeing Practitioner
Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 3PG
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Child Death Review Nurse
Leicester, LE5 4QF
- Salary :
- £46148.00 to £52809.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
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Advanced Pharmacist – Woman and Child
Peterborough, PE3 9GZ
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
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Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist - Child
Douglas, IM1 4QA
- Salary :
- £48780.00 to £63606.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manx Care
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Specialist Nurse Child Protection Sunderland
Sunderland, SR3 3XS
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
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Senior Clinical Psychologist- Child Development/Epilepsy
Chesterfield, S44 5BL
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
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Safeguarding Children Child Death Review Administrator
St Albans, AL4 9XR
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
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Consultant Paediatrician in Community Child Health
Lincoln, LN2 5QY
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
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Immunisation and Child Health Service lead
Dewsbury, WF13 1HN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Locala Health and Wellbeing
-
Safeguarding Children Specialist for Child Deaths
Sandridge, St Albans. Hertfordshire., AL4 9XR
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
-
Consultant Paediatrician in Community Child Health
Boston, PE21 9QS
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
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Specialty Doctor in Community Child Health
Ham, TW10 7NF
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
-
Healthy Child Programme Team Leader 0-19
Hyde, SK14 1NX
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
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These organisations have further information about being a doctor in child and adolescent psychiatry, particularly as your career progresses. Take a look.