About this role
Job summary
Join Us as We Reopen Our New CAMHS Inpatient Unit
We are recruiting a Band 7 Senior Nurse Practitioner / Clinical Nurse Specialist to join our newly redesigned Children and Young People's Inpatient Mental Health Unit , reopening in Autumn 2026.
Following extensive engagement, co-design, and investment in our clinical model, workforce and environment, we are creating a modern therapeutic service where young people (aged 12-up to 18th birthday) receive purposeful, high-quality care.
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About the unit
Our refreshed clinical model includes purposeful admissions, structured care with early review points, strong links with COAST (Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team), and a 7-day therapeutic timetable including evenings and weekends.
The team will include strengthened MDT working, safe staffing, duty doctor cover, trauma-informed and autism-aware practice, and lived-experience roles.
You will play a key role in supporting high standards of clinical practice, supervision and service development across the pathway, including:
Timely and structured assessments Trauma-informed and autism-aware practice Strong therapeutic relationships with young people and families Clear pathways, partnership working and effective discharge planning A focus on quality, outcomes and reducing restrictive practice
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the job
Provide specialist mental health assessments and evidence-based nursing interventions Manage a complex clinical caseload, acting as lead professional where appropriate Deliver high standards of person-centred, trauma-informed care Provide clinical leadership and supervision to nursing staff and students Contribute to service development, clinical pathways and practice improvement Lead or contribute to audit, service evaluation and quality initiatives Support effective risk assessment, care planning and safeguarding practice Chair meetings and provide senior clinical decision making when required Work in partnership with families, carers and external agencies
About us
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust delivers specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex.
This post sits within the Specialist Services Division, working alongside CAMHS, forensic services, perinatal services, Early Intervention in Psychosis and neurodevelopmental pathways.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a supportive environment where staff feel valued, developed and able to deliver their best care.
What we can offer you
Opportunity to work in a dynamic Acute CAMHS pathway
Comprehensive induction programme prior to opening where all new staff train together and contribute to the team's therapeutic approach
Strong MDT working and supportive senior leadership High-quality supervision and reflective practice Opportunities for career development and progression Access to training, CPD and leadership development NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits If you are an experienced nurse looking to develop your impact as a senior clinician and nurse leader and want to make a real difference to the lives of young people and families, we would love to hear from you.
LocationThe role is based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, with on-site parking and excellent rail links to London (under 45 minutes), close proximity to Gatwick Airport, and easy access to both the Sussex coast and South Downs.
Job description Job responsibilities
We are looking for an experienced and motivated mental health nurse who is passionate about delivering high-quality acute care and supporting the development of others.
This is a senior clinical role combining direct clinical work with leadership, supervision and practice development responsibilities. You will provide clinical leadership, intervention, consultation and support to the wider team. You will lead on quality improvement including developing and maintaining nursing standards.
You would be working alongside a ward manager who would lead on the operational management and overall governance of the ward. Jointly, and with support from the matron, you would hold accountability for quality, safety and culture on the wardThis is an exciting opportunity to develop a new team and to lead on ensuring compassion driven values and excellent ward processors around patient care, family and career involvement, team communication and staff supervision and developmentYou will work closely with nursing and medical colleagues, as well as therapy, social work and support services, to maintain high standards of governance, service improvement and workforce development.You would be required to work at least one shift a week (including 2 night shifts a month) in order to provide shadowing opportunities and active learning support to junior staff.
As a Band 7 Senior Nurse Practitioner / Clinical Nurse Specialist, you will provide advanced clinical practice, leadership and supervision across the acute CAMHS pathway.
You will manage complex clinical work, support decision making, and contribute to the development of high-quality, evidence-based care.
You will play a key role in developing staff, embedding best practice, and supporting service improvement and clinical governance within the team.
Person specification
Essential criteria
Registered Mental Health Nurse with significant post-registration experience Experience working with children and young people in acute or crisis mental health settings Advanced clinical assessment and risk management skills Experience of providing supervision and supporting staff development Strong communication and partnership working skills Commitment to high-quality, person-centred and trauma-informed care
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse with current registration (mental health / LD/ Adult) appropriate to the job role. Degree/diploma level supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, courses to masters level equivalent relevant to the care group Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
Knowledge Essential
Extensive post qualifying experience in relevant service area Experience of supervising staff and students Able to manage a caseload of patients with complex mental health needs Comprehensive knowledge of interventions specific to service area
Communication Essential
Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills with staff, patients, families, carers and professionals Able to establish links with other services and professionals
Analytical Essential
Able to effectively manage risk ? To have a good knowledge of service objectives To understand performance reports and how they relate to team
Planning Essential
Able to manage and delegate tasks Participate in service development Able to lead clinical discussions in team Able to undertake audit activity Able to plan staff rotas as needed
People Managment Essential
To lead the team in absence of Service Manager To provide supervision for staff including clinical, managerial and professional To develop training sessions for staff, students, professionals and agencies Participate in staff recruitment and selection, absence management and other staff related issues.
IT Essential
Able to use Trust IT systems to enter patient information, case notes, risk, Able to produce documents and reports using Word, Excel, PowerPoint Communicate to patients and professionals using letters and templates
Physical skills Essential
Physically fit to undertake duties related to service area ? Awareness of PMVA interventions ? Knowledge of administration of injections and venepuncture
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 unit (previously Chalkhill)
Lewes Road,
Haywards Heath,
RH16 4EX
Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)