Our People In CAMHS Services

5 Minutes With Shona Keating, Social Care Leader

 

 

How does your day start?

My day starts with checking my diary to see what appointments I have in for the day and checking any email/phone messages. I schedule my own appointments but I always need to be available to respond to anyone on my caseload that may need support between appointments.

Tell us about the team you work with.

I work on a Multi-Disciplinary team, led by a Consultant Psychiatrist. I am the only Social Care clinician on the team which is quite different to most social care jobs. We all have different skills, interests and experience which makes a good mix. We work jointly and on our own; it can be quite challenging work and we do our best to support each other formally in team meetings and informally over tea breaks!

What does your typical working day involve?

My day has a lot of variety. I am usually office based but occasionally need to complete home or school visits or to attend multi-agency meetings. I have my own caseload, and will meet with clients for one to one therapeutic intervention that focuses on eating disorders, anxiety management or self-harm, amongst other needs. I also facilitate groups for emotional regulation, and am on call one day a week for new referrals to the team and to manage any other crises that may arise. There is a lot of administration required, such as case notes, reports and letters of support/advocacy.

What motivates you in your work?

Mental health is so varied, and it feels there are always new challenges to address and new approaches to use to help someone. You are always meeting new clients, and I enjoy building relationships with young people and their families. It is also motivating to work with a mix of disciplines as this increases my knowledge base and complements my work.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I really enjoy the variety of the work; mental health is a very interesting subject. It is very rewarding when you see positive change in a young person and families can be very appreciative which is a lovely feeling.

What advice would you give someone considering a career in CAMHS?

CAMHS is quite a different area to Social Care jobs I’ve worked previously. It can feel overwhelming at times, but there is so much learning in this role, and you really develop as a clinician. Despite the challenges of resources and staffing, teams around the country are doing amazing work in supporting clients and their families, and any change effected is positive. If you feel passionate about using your social care skills in mental health I would really encourage you to explore a career in CAMHS.