About this role
Job summary
Join Us as We Reopen Our New CAMHS Inpatient Unit
We are pleased to invite applications for Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our newly redesigned Children and Young People's Mental Health Inpatient Unit, reopening in Autumn 2026.
Following extensive co-design with young people, families and staff, and significant investment in our workforce and therapeutic approach, this is an exciting opportunity to work in a modern, recovery-focused inpatient service delivering high-quality, purposeful care to young people with acute mental health needs.
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Main duties of the job
You will provide advanced clinical reasoning within the inpatient multidisciplinary team, contributing to a safe, therapeutic and recovery-focused ward environment. You will hold responsibility for complex occupational therapy assessments, risk management and formulation-led care planning, working with children and young people with high levels of need.
You will deliver evidence-based occupational therapy assessments, interventions and outcome evaluation, and will lead on clinical decision-making as part of the MDT, contributing to safe, high-quality admissions, reviews and discharge planning in partnership with community services.
You will support, supervise and contribute to the development of wider CAMHS occupational therapy staff and students, promoting high standards of clinical practice and reflective learning. You will champion trauma-informed, relational and strengths-based approaches, ensuring these principles are embedded in day-to-day inpatient care.
You will contribute actively to service development, quality improvement and evaluation activity, and work collaboratively with families, carers, community CAMHS teams and wider system partners to support continuity of care and positive outcomes.
About us
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust delivers specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex.
This post sits within our Specialist CAMHS Services, providing opportunities to gain experience across acute, crisis and community pathways as part of your career development.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a compassionate and supportive working environment where staff feel valued, developed and able to thrive.
What we can offer you
The opportunity to be part of a newly reopened CAMHS inpatient unit Comprehensive induction programme prior to opening where all new staff train together and contribute to the team's therapeutic approach A welcoming and supportive team culture with strong clinical leadership Structured preceptorship (where applicable) and high-quality clinical supervision Access to CAMHS-specific training and ongoing CPD Clear development and progression pathways into senior nursing roles NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits If you are looking to start or develop your career in CAMHS inpatient nursing and want to make a meaningful difference to young people and their families, we would love to hear from you.
LocationThe unit is based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, with on-site parking and good transport links to London and across Sussex, and close proximity to Gatwick Airport.
Job description Job responsibilities
See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
If you want to make a real difference to young peoples lives and help shape a redesigned, valuesdriven inpatient service, we would love to hear from you.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree/Diploma in occupational therapy Evidence of post qualification study Registration with the HPC as an occupational therapist Practice Education training Training in the use of standardised occupational therapy assessment tools
Desirable
Management/Leadership training
Values Essential
Team working Ability to travel across sites Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required
Knowledge Essential
Extensive experience as a qualified occupational therapist in mental health Broad experience of working with clients with a range of mental health problems Experience of both group and individual work Experience of multidisciplinary working Experience of supervising staff and students Experience as a Care Coordinator
Desirable
Research experience
Communication Essential
Able to communication complex condition related information to service users, carers and colleagues Lead others in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practices including policies and strategies. Develop partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and agencies.
IT Skills Essential
Ability to use Trust IT systems including e-mail and electronic clinical records
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address New CAMHS inpatient site (previously Chalkhill)
Lewes Rd,
Haywards Heath
RH16 4EX
Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)