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 flexible 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 AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.
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 Single Point of Advice (SPOA) is the front door of all children's services within East Sussex. Their purpose is to assess children and young people being referred to ascertain the most appropriate service to meet their needs.
The post supports the development of significant clinical and organisational skills. You will be responsible for coordinating the intake of referrals into East Sussex CAMHS, carrying out telephone triages, and brief interventions with children aged 0-18 years and their families.
This role does not involve working with a caseload but some rotation into the wider Access team to undertake initial assessments will be encouraged.
We are seeking Either an experienced Mental Health Practitioner or an individual who wishes to develop their clinical skills / return to practice or gain significant triage and assessment experience within mental health.
We welcome applications from a wide range of professional backgrounds and disciplines including: - Social Work, Occupational Therapy and Nursing including newly qualified practitioners.
Advert
The role involves triage and assessment of new mental health referrals, consultation with other professionals and clinicians; working across an integrated service.
Successful applicants will work alongside established CAMHS colleagues in the SPOA and will rotate regularly into our Community CAMHS Team as a Mental Health Practitioner.
The role involves the triage of cases to ensure that service delivery is appropriate to the needs of the individual following a Stepped approach.
All practitioners will have a commitment to the development, modelling, and delivery of high quality, compassionate, person centred service for children and young people with emotional, behavioural and mental health needs and their families.
Working for our organisation
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provide Mental Health and Learning Disability Services to adults, children and young people across East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and children's services in Hampshire. We have been awarded an overall rating of 'good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and assessed 'outstanding' for being caring.
As a Trust we make a positive difference to thousands of people's lives across Sussex, providing support so that they can fulfil their potential and enjoy healthy lives. We believe that staff who feel valued by the Trust and are truly engaged in the organisation deliver better outcomes for our patients and we are always looking for people with the right core values to join our team. The Trust is clinician-led, and provides the highest possible level of clinical expertise throughout its services.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We encourage flexible working and would consider part time hours. We know that a positive work/ life balance brings about huge health-related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, home-working, part time hours, flexible start/ finish times or anything else. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.
Please see attached 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.