CAMHS Charge Nurse/Deputy Ward Manager | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Colchester is seeking a Deputy Ward Manager for their CAMHS General Adolescent Unit. The role involves leading a nursing team in providing care to young people with acute mental health needs, including overseeing care assessments and implementation of care plans. Candidates must possess a Band 5 nursing qualification and strong leadership and risk assessment skills. The position offers various benefits, including flexible working opportunities and professional development.

Benefits

Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent training facilities and opportunities

Buy and sell annual leave scheme

Salary sacrifice schemes available

Day One flexible employer

Qualifications

• Band 5 nurse with demonstrated experience of inpatient mental health care.
• Motivated, compassionate, enthusiastic, and highly motivated.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership of a nursing team in an acute setting.
• Implement and evaluate individual care plans.
• Support colleagues as a key worker.
• Maintain high standards of care and evaluate quality outcomes.
• Take charge of the unit in the absence of the person in continuing responsibility.
• Teach and supervise the team.

Skills

Risk assessment skills

Effective communication

Knowledge of Recovery Model approach

Leadership skills

Education

Band 5 nursing qualification

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Deputy Ward Manager to work on our CAMHS General Adolescent Unit at Longview Ward, St Aubyn Centre. The successful candidate will be a competent practitioner with a proven record of leadership skills as a Band 5 Nurse and will take responsibility for overseeing assessments of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for clients requiring treatment.

Unit Details

Longview Ward serves young people aged 13-18 years admitted for the assessment and treatment of acute mental health difficulties. We are committed to developing CAMHS specialist clinicians, with our staff CAMHS preceptorship programme and award‑winning DBT treatment offer.

Qualifications & Experience

• Band 5 Band 5 nurse with demonstrated experience of inpatient mental health care.
• Excellent risk assessment skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• High level of knowledge of the 6 C’s of care and the Recovery Model approach.
• Motivated, compassionate, enthusiastic and highly motivated.

Responsibilities

• Clinical leadership of a team of nurses in an acute setting.
• Assessment implementation and evaluation of individual care plans.
• Key worker supporting colleagues as required.
• Assist the Ward Manager in setting and maintaining high standards of care and evaluating quality outcomes.
• Take charge of the unit in the absence of the person with continuing responsibility, including the role of bed manager for the unit.
• Teach, supervise the team, including qualified, non‑qualified and learners.
• Maintain good communication, oral and written, in accordance with NMC guidelines.
• Report to the Team Manager or nominated deputy any circumstances affecting delivery of care and ward running.
• Ensure all staff adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures.

Benefits

• Season Ticket Loans
• NHS discounts for staff
• Excellent training facilities and opportunities
• Buy and sell annual leave scheme
• Opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
• Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Day One flexible employer

Flexible Working

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. You are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role and, if appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment.

Staff Bank

All permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank. If you are joining our Trust in a fixed‑term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank. We offer training and development, support through regular supervision and appraisal to assist you in setting realistic objectives.

Application Deadline

This advert closes on Friday 17 Oct 2025.