Band 6 Charge Nurse / Deputy Ward Manager

Our refreshed clinical model 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. You will work as part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, supporting young people, families and carers through assessment, treatment and discharge planning in a therapeutic inpatient environment. This role is ideal for an experienced registered nurse ready to take the next step in leadership within CAMHS inpatient care. Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive mental health and risk assessments for young people with complex needs
• Act as named nurse and care coordinator, contributing to care review processes and mental health tribunals
• Deliver and evaluate person-centred, trauma-informed nursing interventions
• Provide clinical leadership and act as a senior decision maker during shifts
• Regularly take charge of the ward, coordinating care delivery and staffing
• Support the Ward Manager with operational duties, including rota coordination, staff supervision and quality monitoring
• Supervise, mentor and support junior staff and students
• Work closely with families, carers and partner agencies to support effective discharge planning
• Contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement initiatives
• Maintain high standards of documentation, governance and safeguarding practice
Working for our organisation Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust delivers specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex. This post sits within our Specialist CAMHS Services, offering opportunities to work closely with acute, community and crisis pathway colleagues. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a compassionate, supportive working environment where staff feel valued, developed and able to deliver their best care., As a Band 6 Charge Nurse / Deputy Ward Manager, you will provide senior clinical leadership on shift and support the Ward Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the ward. You will play a key role in ensuring safe, effective and person-centred care, supporting staff development, maintaining high standards of clinical practice, and contributing to service improvement and quality initiatives. You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team, families and partner agencies to support positive outcomes for young people and ensure effective care planning and discharge processes.


• Registered Mental Health Nurse with post-registration experience
• Experience working with children and young people in mental health settings
• Strong clinical skills and risk assessment capability
• Confidence in leading shifts and supporting junior staff
• A compassionate, recovery-focused and trauma-informed approach
• Commitment to high standards of care, safety and continuous improvement, Professional qualification Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
• Registered Nurse with current registration (mental health / LD/ Adult) appropriate to the job role.
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
• Evidence of continuous professional development, IT literate and willing to enhance skills Computer literate. Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and PowerPoint Ability to use clinical information systems, Ability to carry out PMVA techniques Ability to administer IM medication as required. Ability to use manual handling techniques., Significant post qualifying experience relevant to the care group
• Experience of working alongside people with severe mental health problems particularly in their acute phase of illness
• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
• Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non statutory teams and agencies, Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to communicate in a clear and unambiguous way
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to develop effective professional relationships with others
• Establish and maintain communication with individuals and groups about difficult or complex matters overcoming any differences in communication
• Participate in partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and agencies
AnalyticalEssential criteria
• Skills of assessing and interpreting mental health service user conditions, communicating that with others and taking appropriate action., Organising and co-ordinating the activities of others within the ward environment Planning off duty rotas Co-ordinating ward meetings, Experience of handling patient property and valuables Experience of acting as authorised signatory for staff timesheets Ordering stock and equipment as and when required, Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required
• Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust I Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of Human Rights in the delivery of this role, Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced., You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
  
  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 tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn't based on your real experience. Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we'll explore your examples further at interview, so it's important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page. 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.

Eligibility includes external candidates, those returning after 24 months, and candidates relocating 30+ miles closer to the work base. What we can offer you
• · A supportive leadership team and strong MDT culture
• High-quality clinical and managerial supervision
• Access to CPD, specialist CAMHS training and leadership development
• Career progression opportunities within inpatient and wider CAMHS services
• NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits
If you are looking for a leadership role where you can make a real difference to young people and their families, we would love to hear from you.