Help shape a newly redesigned CAMHS inpatient service from the very beginning.
This is an opportunity to join the reopening of Sussex Partnership’s Children and Young People’s Inpatient Mental Health Unit in Autumn 2026, following significant investment in the environment, workforce and clinical model.
We are building a modern, therapeutic and trauma-informed inpatient service for young people aged 12–18, with a strong focus on purposeful admissions, structured care, family involvement and meaningful outcomes.
Why this role stands out
* Opportunity to help shape a newly redesigned CAMHS inpatient service
* Senior clinical role combining leadership, specialist practice and service development
* Work within a strengthened multidisciplinary team with safe staffing and enhanced therapeutic provision
* Extensive induction and team development programme before the unit opens
* Strong focus on trauma-informed, autism-aware and relational practice
* Real opportunity to influence culture, standards and clinical quality from day one
Who can apply
We’re looking for experienced:
with significant experience working with children and young people within acute, inpatient or crisis mental health services.
You’ll ideally have experience in:
* Clinical leadership and supervision
* Complex risk assessment and care planning
* Supporting junior staff and students
* Trauma-informed and person-centred practice
* Service improvement or quality initiatives
The role
As a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist / Senior Nurse Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in developing and embedding high-quality nursing practice across the inpatient pathway.
This is a senior clinical role combining:
* Advanced clinical work
* Leadership and supervision
* Quality improvement
Working closely with the Ward Manager and wider MDT, you will help create a compassionate, safe and therapeutic culture for young people, families and staff.
You will:
* Deliver specialist mental health assessments and evidence-based interventions
* Manage complex clinical presentations and provide senior clinical decision-making
* Support risk assessment, safeguarding and care planning
* Provide supervision, mentorship and active learning support to staff and students
* Contribute to service development, governance and reducing restrictive practice
* Work collaboratively with families, carers and external agencies
* Lead or contribute to audits, quality improvement and pathway development
You will also work clinically on the ward, including:
* At least one clinical shift per week
* Approximately two night shifts per month
This is an important part of supporting visible leadership, team development and hands-on clinical support.
About the service
The redesigned CAMHS inpatient model includes:
* Purposeful admissions with early review points
* Strong links with the COAST Crisis Outreach Team
* A 7-day therapeutic programme including evenings and weekends
* Enhanced MDT working and duty doctor provision
* Trauma-informed and autism-aware approaches
* Lived experience roles embedded within the service
The focus is on delivering structured, relational and evidence-based care that supports recovery and reduces restrictive practice.
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
* Comprehensive pre-opening induction and team development programme
* Strong senior leadership and MDT support
* High-quality supervision and reflective practice
* Leadership and career development opportunities
* Access to specialist CAMHS and acute care training
* NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits
* Enhanced pay for evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays
Why join this team?
This is more than joining an existing ward — it’s an opportunity to help build a new culture and model of care from the ground up.
You’ll join a service focused on:
* Compassionate and relational care
* Staff wellbeing and development
* Clinical quality and innovation
* Partnership working with families and communities
* Creating better inpatient experiences for young people in crisis
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