Come and join us We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day. At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development. We actively promote f lexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role. We recognise that tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn’t based on your real experience. Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we’ll explore your examples further at interview, so it’s important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page. We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you. Job overview The Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS) based Hailsham is looking for a full-time social worker or occupational therapist to join the team in a new band 5 to band 6 development post. This post is ideal for a newly qualified professional, or a professional already working at a band 5 level looking to develop to a band 6 lead practitioner within EIPS. We will offer you a bespoke programme and a supportive and creative approach to guide you from a band 5 to band 6 lead practitioner. We will provide regular supervision, mentoring, team support, preceptorship, protected caseload and clear objectives (linked to the EIPS development pathway Competencies Framework) in order for you to meet your goals. With the support of Professional Leads, Team Leaders, Senior Mental Health Practitioners and the wider EIPS MDT, we can take you on a developmental journey from band 5 to band 6 EIPS lead practitioner. Advert The service has a strong ethos of hope and is dedicated to and passionate about supporting people aged 14 - 65 who are experiencing a First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) or people aged 14 - 35 with an At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) to meet their mental health needs, achieve personal recovery and enable people to get back on track with their lives and achieve their goals. We support their recovery and the development of skills and strategies to help them maintain or rediscover their wellbeing. The service works to a whole team approach and you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, peer workers, support time and recovery workers, individual placement and support workers and administration staff. The post holder will provide specialist interventions and act in the role of Lead Practitioner for a defined caseload of clients. The work is varied and interesting and all team members are involved with the full range of best practice assessments and interventions. Working for our organisation The Hailsham EIPS team covers a wide area including Hailsham, Eastbourne, Lewes and Havens and surrounding towns and villages. Therefore is essential that the successful applicant has a full driver's licence and access to a car throughout the working week. The team is one of six Early Intervention in Psychosis teams provided by the Trust. The teams have a single, service-wide governance group which oversees and leads on the delivery of care. You will be supported by the team leader and the wider MDT via clinical supervision, managerial supervision, and professional supervision with our EIP Professional leads. We also have regular MDT zoning meetings and risk discussions, team learning spaces and case formulation meetings. As a service we offer a real commitment to support your continuing professional development through a variety of internal and external training opportunities and university accredited courses. The base for this post is Highmore, however the team regularly works flexibly and remotely using a range of digital solutions for meetings. Detailed job description and main responsibilities The role of Lead Practitioners is to work in partnership with service users with complex health and social care needs, developing their care and recovery plans to enable them to lead fulfilling lives, using NICE recommended interventions and an assertive outreach approach. The successful applicants will demonstrate an understanding of interventions relevant to clients with Psychosis, working closely with carers, families and partner agencies to facilitate this. The post holder will work at all times to promote the safety and the well-being of service users and their families/carers. They will be involved in the triaging and assessment of referrals to the services, as well as assess, plan and implement care, provide specialist advice and carry out specialist assessments. For more details, please see Job Description and Person Specification. SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented. Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced. SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. However, we’ll always do our best to keep you informed as we know how much time and care goes into applying for a role. In the event of a high number of applications, we may close this vacancy early.