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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Child And Adolescent Psychiatrist
Cheltenham , GL514TQ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Psicon
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Child And Adolescent Psychiatrist
Basingstoke, RG214AW
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Bank
- Employer :
- Psicon
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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
Crewe, CW2 7AR
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
West Bromwich, B70 8NL
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Black Country Healthcare 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
-
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Chester, CH1 3DY
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
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
-
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
-
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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Specialty Doctor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Redcar, TS10 5RT
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
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
-
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist (Eating Disorder)
Radlett, WD7 9HQ
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist
Charlwood, RH6 0BN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Elysium Healthcare
-
Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist
Leeds, LS12 3QE
- Salary :
- £119490.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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TPD for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry NorthEast London
London, E14 4PU
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- NHS England
-
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
-
Specialty Doctor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Austen House
Southampton, SO40 2TA
- Salary :
- £61542.00 to £99216.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
South Harrow, HA2 8EQ
- Salary :
- £53751.00 to £60651.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
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Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
Hayes, UB3 3NR
- Salary :
- £53751.00 to £60651.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
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COMMUNITY CHILD AND ADOLESCENT CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST (SOUTHEND)
Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6BB
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NELFT North East London 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
-
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Oldham, OL1 2JH
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist NDT
Luton, LU1 2PJ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East London 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 Consultant Psychiatrist -Inpatient
Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4NQ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
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
-
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist + RRP up to 30%
Derby, DE23 6SA
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist + RRP up to 30%
Derby, DE23 6SA
- Salary :
- £109725.00 to £145478.00
- 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
-
Child & Adolescent Eating Disorder Pathway Team Manager
Cambridgeshire, CB21 5EF
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
-
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
-
Consultant Adolescent Psychiatrist
Bury, BL9 7TD
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
General Practitioner, Child and Family
Barking, IG11 7LZ
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Omnes Healthcare Limited
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Child Psychotherapist
Oxford, OX3 7JH
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Oxford Health NHS Trust
-
Designated Nurse Child in Care and Care leavers
Gloucester, GL1 2TG
- Salary :
- £64455.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board
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Child Development Practitioner
Whitehaven, CA28 7JG
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
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Child Care Officer
Devizes, SN10 2AJ
- Salary :
- £27254.00 to £28598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Wiltshire Council
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Healthy Child Practitioner
Sandwell, B64 6HP
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
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Senior Mental Health Practitioner Child and Young Peoples Services
Norwich, NR1 3RE
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
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Paediatric & Adolescent Sexual Health Nurse
London, NW1 2BU
- Salary :
- £46419.00 to £55046.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Paediatric & Adolescent Sexual Health Nurse
London, NW1 2BU
- Salary :
- £46419.00 to £55046.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Child Care Officer Assistant
Devizes, SN10 2AJ
- Salary :
- £25989.00 to £26824.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Wiltshire Council
-
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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Child Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (CYWP)
heywood, OL10 3RY
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Child Psychotherapist / Clinical Psychologist CAMHS
Wigan, WN2 2JA
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT
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Child Development Centre Assistant/chaperone
Ipswich, IP3 8LX
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
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Clinical Nurse Specialist Community Child Health
Catford, SE6 4JF
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
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Coordinator for Child Death Review Meetings
Coventry, CV6 6NY
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Secondment
- Employer :
- Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership 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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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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Educational Mental Health/Child Wellbeing Practitioner
Enfield, EN2 6NZ
- Salary :
- £35763.00 to £43466.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North London NHS Foundation Trust
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Charge Nurse - Highfield Adolescent Mental Health Unit- Oxford
Headington, OX3 7JX
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxford Health NHS Trust
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Educational Mental Health Practitioner/Child Wellbeing Practitioner
Cheney Manor, SN2 2PN
- Salary :
- £31920.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- ABL Health Ltd
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Booking Clerk (Women\'s and Child Health)
Exeter, EX2 5DW
- Salary :
- £24465.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Specialist Grade Doctor in Community Child Health
Lincoln, LN2 5QY
- Salary :
- £100870.00 to £111441.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
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Consultant Psychiatrist in Liaison Psychiatry
Shrewsbury, SY3 8XQ
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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Consultant Psychiatrist within Rehabilitation Psychiatry
Plymouth, PL4 7PY
- Salary :
- £105504.00 to £139882.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Livewell Southwest
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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.