New CAMHS Inpatient Unit (previously Chalkhill) | Haywards Heath
Help shape a newly redesigned CAMHS inpatient service and play a key role in supporting young people’s recovery, independence and day‑to‑day wellbeing.
We are recruiting a Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join our newly redeveloped Children and Young People’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit reopening in Autumn 2026.
Following extensive co‑design with young people, families and staff — alongside significant investment in the environment, workforce and therapeutic approach — this is an exciting opportunity to join a modern, recovery‑focused inpatient service delivering purposeful, high‑quality care to young people with acute mental health needs.
Why this role stands out
* Opportunity to join a newly reopened CAMHS inpatient service from the beginning
* Help shape and embed the occupational therapy offer within a redesigned model of care
* Strong focus on trauma‑informed, relational and strengths‑based practice
* Work within a highly skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team
* Extensive induction and team development programme before the unit opens
* Opportunities to contribute to service development, quality improvement and pathway design
Who can apply
* HCPC Registered Occupational Therapists with experience working within mental health services and an interest or background in CAMHS, inpatient or acute care settings.
You’ll ideally have
* Experience completing complex assessments and care planning
* Confidence managing risk and working within MDT environments
* Experience delivering both group and individual interventions
* An interest in trauma‑informed and recovery‑focused practice
The role
As a Band 7 Occupational Therapist, you’ll play a key role within the inpatient MDT, supporting young people with complex mental health needs through assessment, intervention and recovery‑focused care planning.
You’ll use advanced clinical reasoning to help create a safe, therapeutic and structured ward environment where young people can develop skills, confidence, independence and meaningful routines.
You will
* Deliver specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions
* Support formulation‑led and recovery‑focused care planning
* Contribute to admissions, reviews and discharge planning
* Deliver individual and group‑based therapeutic interventions
* Support positive risk management and therapeutic engagement
* Work closely with families, carers and community services
* Supervise and support occupational therapy staff and students
* Contribute to quality improvement, evaluation and service development activity
* Champion trauma‑informed and strengths‑based approaches across the ward
This is an opportunity to have genuine influence within a newly developing service and to help embed occupational therapy at the centre of inpatient care.
About the service
The redesigned CAMHS inpatient model includes:
* Purposeful admissions with early review points
* A structured 7‑day therapeutic programme including evenings and weekends
* Strong links with the COAST Crisis Outreach Team
* Enhanced MDT working and safe staffing
* Trauma‑informed and autism‑aware approaches
* Focus on reducing restrictive practice and improving outcomes
* Lived experience roles embedded within the pathway
The aim is to create a therapeutic environment where young people feel safe, connected and supported in their recovery.
Location
Based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex:
* Under 45 minutes to London by train
* Easy access to Brighton, the Sussex coast and the South Downs
* On‑site parking available
What we offer
* Opportunity to be part of a newly reopened CAMHS inpatient unit
* Comprehensive pre‑opening induction and team development programme
* Strong clinical leadership and MDT support
* High‑quality supervision and reflective practice
* Access to CAMHS‑specific training and ongoing CPD
* Career progression and leadership development opportunities
* NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits
Why join this team?
This is an opportunity to help build something new and meaningful from the ground up.
You’ll join a service focused on:
* Compassionate and relational care
* Creativity and therapeutic engagement
* Staff wellbeing and development
* Strong multidisciplinary collaboration
* Improving inpatient experiences and outcomes for young people and families
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