Matron

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.

• Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse.
• Degree-level education and Master's-level study.
• Mentorship/ENB qualification.
• Meets NMC revalidation requirements., 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., Registered Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse.
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent)
• Post qualification study to Master's level (or equivalent)
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
• Meet NMC requirement for maintenance of registration, Extensive experience as Ward Manager or equivalent in the community
• Extensive previous experience in relevant setting
• Demonstration of personal development
• Experience working with people with serious mental health problems or learning disability (LD) as appropriate to area
• Experience of staff management and supervision
• Demonstrable working knowledge of Health and Social Care governance, Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence at a senior level across the Trust and externally.
• Ability to use Microsoft office (including Word and Excel).
• High level of written and oral communication skill.
• Ability to analyse highly complex information (including financial and performance data) which may be conflicting.
• Demonstrable leadership skills Organisational skills including project planning/Management.
• Ability to lead individuals to improve practice.
• Ability to engage and motivate staff., 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.


• 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