Consultant Practitioner Psychologist- Acute Camhs

Sussex Partnership Nhs Foundation Trust; Haywards Heath; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regular supervision

CPD opportunities

Career development

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion

Service development opportunities

Leadership programmes

Job summary

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Haywards Heath invites an experienced Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical or Forensic) to provide professional leadership to the Psychological Professions during a period of transformation across the Acute CAMHS Care Service.

The Consultant Practitioner Psychologist and Lead for Psychological Professions will oversee targeted assessments and effective psychological interventions for children and young people.

Qualifications

• Doctoral level training in applied psychology, with expertise in psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and at least two psychological therapies.
• Registered with HCPC and eligible for UK registration.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional and clinical leadership across CAMHS COAST and inpatient services.
• Lead assessment, consultation and psychological interventions.
• Supervise other psychology staff and contribute to professional development.
• Represent Psychology Professions in local and regional policy discussions.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical leadership

Risk management

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication

Education

Doctoral level training in Applied Psychology

HCPC registration

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit an experienced and creative Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical or Forensic) to provide Professional Leadership to the Psychological Professions (PP) during a phase of significant transformation across the Acute CAMHS Care Service.

The role provides an opportunity to provide strategic leadership within a service which is dedicated to ensuring that children and young people living in Sussex receive timely, integrated and high-quality care to meet their clinical needs. As the Consultant Practitioner Psychologist and Lead for Psychological Professions, you will ensure that young people and their families receive targeted assessments and effective psychological interventions.

As well as influencing the way in which care is delivered across the inpatient services, the role also offers the opportunity to work clinically with young people and their families, while providing clinical leadership within the enhanced seven-day Crisis and Home Treatment Service (COAST). This service offers an alternative to inpatient admission for children and young people (12-18 years) experiencing acute mental health difficulties and has been established for just over a year. You will work closely alongside colleagues from psychology, nursing, psychiatry, occupational therapy, family therapy, social work and mental health practitioner backgrounds to deliver truly integrated care.

Main duties of the job

Working clinically alongside the Leadership Team as part of the Sussex CAMHS COAST team, you will provide professional and clinical leadership across the service, leading the delivery of assessment, consultation and psychological interventions.

You will be joining a team which currently includes a Senior Practitioner Psychologist, a Principal Family and Systemic Therapist, and an Assistant Psychologist. A part of the Inpatient service expansion, there will be an additional Senior Psychological Practitioner role, a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist and an Assistant Psychologist in post. You will also provide supervision to the Principal Psychological Professional at the Lansdowne Children's Service.

This is a Band 8c, full-time post covering Sussex-wide. We would consider flexible working patterns and job sharing opportunities for the ideal candidate(s).

You will receive monthly supervision from the CAMHS PP Professional Lead for CAMHS and join monthly PP Leads meeting alongside the Consultant PP Leads across CAMHS. You will have opportunities to network with Psychological Professions colleagues across CAMHS, the wider SPFT NHS Trust, and join National Networks for professionals working in inpatient CAMHS.

About us

SPFT provides mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex. The Trust is rated 'Good' overall and 'Outstanding' for Caring by the CQC.

SPFT encourages flexible working because we know that a positive work-life balance benefits both our staff and the care we provide. If it works for you and the service, we'll do our best to make it happen.

You will receive regular professional and clinical supervision from the CAMHS Psychology Professions Professional Lead and have opportunities to network with Psychological Professions colleagues across CAMHS, Perinatal and Early Intervention Services, as well as across the wider Trust.

We offer:

• Regular Professional and Clinical Supervision with a focus on wellbeing.
• Good links with other Consultant Psychological Professions and opportunities to work collaboratively across CAMHS and Adult Services within the Trust.
• A Specialist Division that prioritises Career Development through the Divisional Shadowing offer.
• A strong commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights.
• Opportunities to contribute to quality improvement, service innovation and service development.
• Access to extensive CPD opportunities through Psychological Professions Practice Networks and Leadership Programmes.
• Quarterly Senior Leadership Forums across CAMHS, FCAMHS, Early Intervention and Perinatal Services.

Details

• Date posted: 23 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8c
• Salary: £79,504 to £91,609 a year P/A
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: 354-CS-21961-2
• Location: Harbour, Princess Royal Site, Haywards Heath, RH16 4NQ

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role.

• Registered with HCPC.
• Experienced in risk management.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and varied role.
• Able to communicate effectively in complex and challenging circumstances to support professional decision-making.
• Adaptable, organised, compassionate and a team player.
• Experienced in working within a multidisciplinary environment.
• Experienced in supporting children, young people and families experiencing significant mental health difficulties.

It would also be advantageous if you have your own car, as the role will involve direct work with young people and their families in their homes and communities across Sussex.

We actively encourage informal discussions prior to application. Please contact Kylee Brennan (SPFT CAMHS Acute General Manager; [e-mail]) to discuss the wider service, or Louisa Bravery, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Professional Lead for Psychological Professions, CAMHS, Early Intervention and Perinatal Services, [e-mail] to discuss the role and opportunities within the Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology as approved by the HCPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology. See Appendix A for exceptions.
• Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
• Accredited / registered with professional body / regulator as detailed above.

Knowledge/Experience (Essential)

• Doctoral level knowledge of applied psychology and psychological therapy with advanced knowledge of lifespan developmental psychology, models of psychopathology and research design/methodology, reflecting consultant-level competence.
• Extensive, post-qualification experience as a registered practitioner psychologist within the relevant care group/service, demonstrating expert clinical and professional judgment
• Comprehensive knowledge, formal training, and substantial experience in leading and managing multidisciplinary mental health services.
• In-depth knowledge of national policy frameworks, initiatives, and the mental health economy within which Trust services operate
• Highly developed expertise in the theory and practice of specialised psychological interventions
• Advanced clinical skills in highly specialised psychological practice and clinical risk management consistent with a consultant-level practitioner.
• Significant experience representing the psychological professions and/or services in local or regional policy forums or equivalent strategic settings.
• Expertise in applying psychology and psychological therapies within diverse cultural contexts and multicultural frameworks, demonstrating advanced cultural competence.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Employer's website: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Louisa Bravery, [e-mail]

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