This is a rare opportunity to shape Dietetic practice at a Trust-wide level within a progressive mental health and learning disability organisation. You will have the opportunity to influence strategy, lead change, and contribute meaningfully to improving outcomes for service users, while maintaining expert clinical practice.
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Dietetic Consultant and Trust-wide Lead
to provide strategic, professional and clinical leadership for Dietetics across
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust .
This senior role will lead the development, quality, safety and innovation of Dietetic practice across mental health and learning disability services, ensuring consistent, evidence-based and high-quality care. The postholder will work closely with the
Director of Allied Health Professions (AHPs), senior clinical leaders, operational managers, and external partners to shape Dietetic services aligned with Trust priorities and national standards.
The role includes a
strategic leadership remit
alongside a
specialist clinical caseload, contributing expert opinion to highly complex cases, service development, research, and quality improvement.
This is a
part-time (0.6 WTE / 22.5 hours per week), permanent role at
Agenda for Change Band 8b .
Main duties of the job As
Dietetic Consultant and Trust-wide Lead, you will:
Provide
professional and clinical leadership
for Dietetic staff across the Trust, ensuring high standards of practice, governance, and professional accountability.
Lead the
strategic development and expansion of Dietetic services, working in partnership with operational leads and senior AHP colleagues.
Act as a
clinical expert, managing a specialist caseload and providing highly complex assessment, consultation, and intervention.
Lead and embed
evidence-based practice, research, audit, and quality improvement across Dietetic services.
Co‑chair and support delivery of the Trust‑wide
Food and Nutrition Plan, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
Take a senior role in
clinical governance, risk management, complaints, and patient safety investigations related to Dietetic practice.
Contribute as a key member of the
AHP Senior Leadership Team, leading agreed workstreams and influencing Trust strategy.
Support
workforce development, including recruitment, supervision, CPD, education, placements, and leadership development.
Represent Dietetics at
senior strategic and external forums, advocating for Dietetic and AHP contributions to service redesign and policy development.
About us Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
provides specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex for people of all ages.
We value compassionate leadership, collaboration, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practice. As a Trust, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, creating a supportive environment where staff are valued and can thrive.
You will join a strong and collaborative
AHP leadership community, working alongside professional leads and senior clinicians to shape services that make a real difference for service users, carers and communities.
Job responsibilities
Degree or postgraduate qualification in
Dietetics
HCPC registration
Substantial post-qualification experience as a
Dietitian, including advanced practice and specialism (mental health / learning disability or related field)
Demonstrated
clinical leadership experience
at a senior level
Expert knowledge of specialist Dietetic practice and evidence-based interventions
Experience of
service development, audit, research, and quality improvement
Strong communication skills with experience of
multidisciplinary and interagency working
Experience of supervising, developing and mentoring staff
Ability to manage complex clinical and organisational issues with sound judgement
Doctoral-level study or advanced postgraduate qualification
Management qualification or formal leadership training
Experience of managing budgets and contributing to workforce planning
Membership of the
British Dietetic Association (BDA)
Experience of working strategically at Trust or system level
Person Specification Qualifications
Evidence of post-qualification study at Doctoral/Masters level plus additional specialist clinical training
Registration with the HCPC
Practice Education training
Specialist training in the use of standardised Dietetic assessment tools
Knowledge/Experience
Extensive experience as a qualified Dietician in Mental Health / Learning Disabilities or related field with evidence of advanced training and specialism
Expert knowledge of specialty area
Experience of multi-disciplinary working
Experience of managing / supervising junior staff
Experience of designing and delivering training to multi-professional groups
Proven written and general communication skills within a multi-disciplinary setting
Experience in applying a range of assessment tools and a comprehensive knowledge of Physiotherapy clinical approaches used in mental health
Experience in clinical audit
Experience in a range of clinical settings
Experience in working collaboratively with other agencies
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.
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