Join Us as We Reopen Our New CAMHS Inpatient Unit
We are excited to be recruiting to our newly redesigned Children & Young People’s Inpatient Mental Health Unit (Haywards Heath, West Sussex), reopening in Autumn 2026. Following extensive engagement, co‑design, and investment in our clinical model, workforce, and environment, we are creating a modern therapeutic service where young people receive purposeful, high‑quality care. We are recruiting to a wide range of MDT roles. You would be joining us at the start of an exciting journey.
About the Unit
Following extensive co-design with young people, families and staff, and significant investment in our workforce and therapeutic approach, this is an exciting opportunity to work in a modern, recovery-focused inpatient service delivering high-quality, purposeful care to young people with acute mental health needs. Listen to our EBE podcast here:
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Our refreshed clinical model has been developed in partnership with service users and parents/carers. It includes purposeful admissions, structured care with early review points, strong links with COAST (Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team), and a 7‑day therapeutic timetable including evenings and weekends. The team will include strengthened MDT working, safe staffing, duty doctor cover, trauma‑informed and autism‑aware practice, and lived‑experience roles.
We are looking for an experienced Mental Health Nurse Leader who is forward thinking, energetic and creative, and committed to lead on providing excellent acute care for young people and their families. In this varied, dynamic role you would be responsible for managing, developing and supporting our acute and crisis services in Sussex CAMHS. This includes our new 12 bedded inpatient unit, our COAST team (Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team) and our PMHLT (Paediatric Mental Health Liaison Teams) based in General Hospitals.
This is a senior clinical leadership role. You will have overall responsibility for quality, safety, culture and standards across the inpatient and crisis pathway. This is an active role requiring visible leadership on safety, safeguarding, reducing restrictive practice, physical health care and partnership working.
This role is central in joining up inpatient care, COAST and liaison teams, and working closely with community services and the provider collaborative, in line with CYPIMHS requirements.
As a senior clinical and operational leader, you would be working closely with the Consultant psychiatrist to influence and lead a skilled multi-disciplinary team. Key to this will be setting a cohesive culture and developing skills and capability.
The post will report to both the CAMHS, LD and ND Head of Nursing and Quality and the acute care General Manager. You will also work closely with the senior acute care MDT and operational managers.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust delivers specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex.
This post sits within our Specialist CAMHS Services, providing opportunities to gain experience across acute, crisis and community pathways as part of your career development.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a compassionate and supportive working environment where staff feel valued, developed and able to thrive.
What we can offer you
The opportunity to be part of a newly reopened CAMHS inpatient unit
Comprehensive induction programme prior to opening where all new staff train together and contribute to the team’s therapeutic approach
A welcoming and supportive team culture with strong clinical leadership
Structured preceptorship (where applicable) and high-quality clinical supervision
Access to CAMHS-specific training and ongoing CPD
Clear development and progression pathways into senior nursing roles
NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits
Location
The unit is based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, with on-site parking and good transport links to London and across Sussex, and close proximity to Gatwick Airport.
If you are looking to start or develop your career in CAMHS inpatient nursing and want to make a meaningful difference to young people and their families, we would love to hear from you.
Person specification
Essential Qualifications
Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse.
Degree‑level education and Master’s‑level study.
Mentorship/ENB qualification.
Meets NMC revalidation requirements.
Experience
Extensive experience as a Ward Manager or equivalent.
Strong background in relevant clinical area (e.g., MH, LD).
Experience managing staff, performance and supervision.
Skilled in risk assessment and governance.
Knowledge of key legislation (MHA, MCA, Safeguarding).
Skills
Strong leadership and ability to influence at senior level.
Able to analyse complex clinical, financial and performance data.
High‑level communication skills.
Competent with Microsoft Office.
Effective teamworking, motivation and project management.
Values & Approach
Committed to equality, diversity, dignity and respect.
Challenges discrimination and promotes inclusive practice.
