Clinical Nurse Specialist – Children & Youth Mental Health (Band 7)

About the role

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will manage a caseload of children and young people under 18 with complex, high‑risk mental health needs, including forensic profiles and youth justice involvement. The role focuses on specialist mental health and risk assessments, risk management, and delivery of evidence‑based nursing interventions across community and secure settings, while ensuring safe information sharing with Boards of origin.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of high‑risk young people with complex mental health needs.
• Conduct specialist mental health and risk assessments and implement risk management plans.
• Deliver evidence‑based nursing interventions in community, residential schools and secure settings.
• Contribute to the evidence base for interventions and practice.
• Liaise with Boards of origin to support safe transitions and information sharing.
• Provide consultancy, teaching, management and research input as part of the extended CNS role.
• Support multi‑agency team development and identify training needs for staff, patients and carers.
• Coordinate and deliver educational initiatives with colleagues.
• For trainee posts, complete competencies and achieve final sign‑off before progressing to full Band 7.

Required profile

• Non‑Medical Prescribing qualification (or working toward it).
• Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Practice for trainee CNSs.
• Demonstrated competencies for a full Band 7 appointment.
• Strong knowledge of high‑risk mental health presentations, forensic mental health and youth justice pathways.
• Skills in evidence‑based practice, multi‑agency working, risk management and specialist assessment.
• Awareness that the national CNS job description is under review.

Required skills

What we offer

• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work Scheme and bursary scheme.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities.
• Supportive NHS Scotland employment policies.