About this role
Job summary
This is an opportunity to join Dementia and Older People Mental Health Service (DOPMHS) South as a Team Leader, providing clinical and operational leadership to a well established multidisciplinary team supporting older adults with mental health needs.
The role sits within Specialist Older Adult Mental Health Services and focuses on delivering safe, timely and person centred care to a complex client group, including people living with dementia, frailty and co existing mental health needs.
You will lead the day to day running of the team, ensuring referrals are managed effectively, risk is responded to promptly and staff feel supported in delivering high quality care. The role also involves working closely with wider services, including DAS, NMHTs and partner organisations, to ensure continuity and joined up care.
This is a key leadership role within the service, maintaining oversight of performance, patient flow and clinical standards while supporting the wellbeing and development of staff.
* Previous Management experience is essential to the role.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide leadership to the DOPMHS South team, supporting both clinical practice and operational delivery.
This will include oversight of referrals, triage and allocation to ensure patients are seen in a timely way and care is delivered safely. You will support staff with complex decision making, risk management and safeguarding, particularly where there are high levels of need or uncertainty.
You will provide line management and supervision to staff, ensuring they are well supported and able to carry out their roles effectively. This includes managing performance, supporting development and ensuring there is clear communication across the team.
The role also involves close working with the DAS Team Leader and other local services to maintain consistent cover arrangements. This ensures there is always leadership support available, particularly during periods of leave or absence, and that patient care is not disrupted.
You will contribute to service improvement, monitoring demand, activity and waiting times, and taking action where needed to maintain safe and effective delivery.
About us
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist mental health services across Sussex, supporting a wide range of communities.
DOPMHS South sits within Specialist Older Adult Mental Health Services, providing assessment, treatment and ongoing support for older adults with mental health needs, including dementia. The team works closely with primary care, social care, voluntary sector organisations and wider mental health services.
You will be joining a supportive and experienced team that values openness, kindness and a practical approach to problem solving. There is a strong focus on getting the basics right for patients while continuing to improve how services are delivered.
The service works alongside Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams, contributing to shared pathways while maintaining a clear focus on older adult needs. This gives opportunities to work across services while still developing expertise within a specialist area.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder is responsible for providing leadership to the DOPMHS South multidisciplinary team, ensuring safe, effective and well organised care is delivered.
This includes managing referrals, overseeing triage and allocation, and maintaining oversight of patient flow to reduce delays in assessment and intervention. You will support clinical staff with complex cases, providing guidance around risk, safeguarding and care planning.
You will hold responsibility for line management, including supervision, appraisal and performance management. A key part of the role is making sure staff feel supported, have clear direction, and are able to manage the demands of the service.
The Team Leader will also ensure that the team works in line with Trust policies and governance requirements, including managing incidents, responding to complaints and embedding learning across the team.
An important part of the role is maintaining effective cross cover arrangements with DAS and other local teams. This includes providing leadership support where needed, ensuring there is always a visible and responsive management presence, and supporting staff and patient care during periods of reduced capacity.
The role requires close working with NMHTs and partner agencies. You will contribute to joint working arrangements, supporting integrated care while ensuring that the needs of older adults, including those with dementia and complex presentations, remain central.
You will also contribute to service development, using data and feedback to support improvements in quality, performance and patient experience.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist qualification Up to date Registration (NMC/HCPC/SWE) Evidence of CPD Post Basic Courses / relevant Study Days
Knowledge/Experience Essential
Significant experience of and demonstrable achievement in clinical practice Experience of providing professional support/supervision and motivation of staff Understanding of Health and Social Care Governance Experience of managing staff
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 Dementia and Older Persons Mental Health Team South ,Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Swandean Building, Arundel Road
Worthing,West Sussex
BN13 3EP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)