About this role
Job summary This is a rare opportunity to shape Dietetic practice at a Trust-wide level within a progressive mental health and learning disability organisation. You will have the opportunity to influence strategy, lead change, and contribute meaningfully to improving outcomes for service users, while maintaining expert clinical practice.
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilledDietetic Consultant and Trust-wide Lead to provide strategic, professional and clinical leadership for Dietetics across Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
This senior role will lead the development, quality, safety and innovation of Dietetic practice across mental health and learning disability services, ensuring consistent, evidence-based and high-quality care. The postholder will work closely with the Director of Allied Health Professions (AHPs), senior clinical leaders, operational managers, and external partners to shape Dietetic services aligned with Trust priorities and national standards.
The role includes a strategic leadership remit alongside a specialist clinical caseload, contributing expert opinion to highly complex cases, service development, research, and quality improvement.
This is a part-time (0.6 WTE / 22.5 hours per week), permanent role at Agenda for Change Band 8b.
Main duties of the job
As Dietetic Consultant and Trust-wide Lead, you will:
Provide professional and clinical leadership for Dietetic staff across the Trust, ensuring high standards of practice, governance, and professional accountability. Lead the strategic development and expansion of Dietetic services, working in partnership with operational leads and senior AHP colleagues. Act as a clinical expert, managing a specialist caseload and providing highly complex assessment, consultation, and intervention. Lead and embed evidence-based practice, research, audit, and quality improvement across Dietetic services. Co-chair and support delivery of the Trust-wide Food and Nutrition Plan, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives. Take a senior role in clinical governance, risk management, complaints, and patient safety investigations related to Dietetic practice. Contribute as a key member of the AHP Senior Leadership Team, leading agreed workstreams and influencing Trust strategy. Support workforce development, including recruitment, supervision, CPD, education, placements, and leadership development. Represent Dietetics at senior strategic and external forums, advocating for Dietetic and AHP contributions to service redesign and policy development.
About us
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex for people of all ages.
We value compassionate leadership, collaboration, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practice. As a Trust, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, creating a supportive environment where staff are valued and can thrive.
You will join a strong and collaborative AHP leadership community, working alongside professional leads and senior clinicians to shape services that make a real difference for service users, carers and communities.
Job description Job responsibilities Essential
Degree or postgraduate qualification in Dietetics HCPC registration Substantial post-qualification experience as a Dietitian, including advanced practice and specialism (mental health / learning disability or related field) Demonstrated clinical leadership experience at a senior level Expert knowledge of specialist Dietetic practice and evidence-based interventions Experience of service development, audit, research, and quality improvement Strong communication skills with experience of multidisciplinary and interagency working Experience of supervising, developing and mentoring staff Ability to manage complex clinical and organisational issues with sound judgement Desirable Doctoral-level study or advanced postgraduate qualification Management qualification or formal leadership training Experience of managing budgets and contributing to workforce planning Membership of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Experience of working strategically at Trust or system level
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree / Post Graduate Diploma / MSC in Dietetics Evidence of post-qualification study at Doctoral/Masters level plus additional specialist clinical training Registration with the HCPC Practice Education training Management / Leadership training Specialist training in the use of standardised Dietetic assessment tools
Knowledge/Experience Essential
Extensive experience as a qualified Dietician in Mental Health / Learning Disabilities or related field with evidence of advanced training and specialism Expert knowledge of specialty area Experience of multi-disciplinary working Experience of managing / supervising junior staff Experience of designing and delivering training to multi-professional groups Proven written and general communication skills within a multi-disciplinary setting Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of Physiotherapy clinical approaches used in mental health Experience in clinical audit Experience in a range of clinical settings Experience in working collaboratively with other agencies
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 Portland House
44 Richmond Road
Worthing
BN11 1HS
Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)