About this role
Job summary
Join Us as We Reopen Our New CAMHS Inpatient Unit
We are pleased to invite applications for Band 3 ward administrator s 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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About the unit
Our refreshed CAMHS inpatient service is built around:
Purposeful admissions with early review points Structured, therapeutic care programmes delivered across 7 days Strong links with crisis and community services, including COAST (Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team), Trauma-informed and autism-aware practice A focus on least restrictive practice and improving experience and outcomes Supportive MDT working, safe staffing and strong clinical leadership You will work as part of a skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team, delivering therapeutic care to young people and working closely with families and carers from admission through to discharge.
Main duties of the job
As a Ward Administrator, you will provide a comprehensive range of administrative and reception services to support the ward team.
You will work closely with nursing, medical and therapy staff, liaising with families, carers and external agencies, and ensuring that ward systems, records and communication processes run efficiently and confidentially.
This role requires excellent organisation, professionalism and the ability to work calmly and sensitively in a busy inpatient environment.
Main Duties of the Job
Provide comprehensive administrative support to the inpatient ward team Act as a first point of contact for visitors, telephone enquiries and external agencies Maintain accurate and up-to-date clinical records in line with Trust policy Manage admission and discharge paperwork within required timescales Create, maintain, retrieve and archive patient files, including Mental Health Act documentation Maintain ward information systems and databases Support ward meetings, including diary management, preparation of papers and minute taking Manage ward diaries and coordinate appointments Process correspondence, reports and documentation to a high standard Organise transport, interpreters and other practical arrangements for patients Ensure the ward office environment is organised, secure and confidential Support induction of new staff and provide administrative cover as required
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 Access to CAMHS-specific training and ongoing CPD Clear development and progression pathways 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
You will have experience in administrative or officebased roles and be confident working with sensitive information in a busy environment.
Essential criteria NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification or relevant administrative experience Good standard of secondary education (GCSE level or equivalent) Proven experience of providing administrative support in a busy office or ward environment Ability to produce accurate, wellpresented documents and correspondence Experience of managing and maintaining office and recordkeeping systems Good IT skills, including use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with staff, service users and carers, both facetoface and by telephone Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and professional boundaries Ability to prioritise workload, manage competing demands and meet deadlines Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team Strong organisational skills and attention to detail Ability to deal with emotionally sensitive and sometimes challenging situations Commitment to Trust values, equality, diversity, dignity and respect Willingness to work flexibly to meet ward and service needs If you are looking for a role where your organisational skills make a real difference to young people, families and clinical teams, we would love to hear from you
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification or relevant administrative experience Good standard of secondary education (GCSE level or equivalent)
Desirable
RSA 3 or equivalent experience and evidence of further practical experience or equivalent
Experience Essential
Proven experience of a range of administrative procedures Experience of producing documents to a high standard of presentation with good accuracy Experience of developing, managing and maintaining office information systems Experience of working as part of a team
Desirable
Audio typing Experience of generating own correspondence
Communication Essential
Ability to deal sensitively with staff and clients in person and on the telephone. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to liaise on behalf of the team both within and outside the organisation
Analytical Essential
Awareness of the importance of confidentiality - ability to work within appropriate boundaries. Ability to use good judgement skills when dealing with enquiries and problems
Planning Essential
Ability to be able to plan workload, manage diaries, organise appointments, planning workload associated with key meeting dates Planning, organising and facilitating meetings and minute taking Ability to work on own initiative and prioritise own workload Ability to work to tight deadlines and deal with conflicting demands
IT Essential
Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook
Effort Essential
Ability to be able to deal with conflicting demands ? Ability to deal with multiple deadlines
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).
Employer details Employer name Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address New CAMHS inpatient site (previously Chalkhill)
Lewes Road,
Haywards Heath,
RH16 4EX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)