East Sussex CAMHS Lead Nurse

Sussex Partnership Nhs Foundation Trust; Hailsham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Sussex is seeking an experienced Lead Nurse for Community CAMHS to deliver high-quality mental health care for young people. You will provide clinical expertise, lead nursing staff, and engage in service improvement initiatives within a supportive team environment. The role requires proven leadership skills and a commitment to trauma-informed care. This is an excellent opportunity to shape mental health service delivery while working in a progressive setting.

Qualifications

• Experience with children and young people in mental health settings.
• Ability to provide clinical supervision and team leadership.
• Commitment to evidence-based care and service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality care across community CAMHS.
• Lead complex case discussions and support clinical decision-making.
• Collaborate with leadership to improve service delivery.
• Oversight of clinical standards and professional development.

Skills

Clinical expertise in mental health

Leadership

Team collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Job description

Job Title: Lead Nurse - Community CAMHS, East Sussex

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead Nurse to join our East Sussex Community CAMHS on a full-time basis. This role, offered as a secondment or fixed-term contract until 30th June 2026, is a key part of the service's leadership team, providing clinical and professional leadership across the CAMHS nursing team.

The successful applicant will bring a high level of clinical expertise, particularly in working with children and young people with moderate to severe mental health needs. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing high standards of care, offering professional and clinical supervision to nursing staff, contributing to service development, and working directly with young people experiencing high levels of complexity and acuity.

You will be a visible, compassionate leader, supporting staff through a collaborative and trauma-informed approach, while ensuring safe and effective care pathways. This is a unique opportunity to influence and shape high-quality service delivery in a progressive and supportive team environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care across community CAMHS pathways.
2. Lead complex case discussions, contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, and support clinical decision-making for young people with high risk, acuity, or diagnostic complexity.
3. Collaborate with the Consultant Nurse, General Manager, and wider leadership team to contribute to service improvement initiatives.
4. Embed clinical standards, governance processes, and best practice models across the service.
5. Oversee professional development and clinical supervision for nursing staff, promoting continuous learning, reflective practice, and professional accountability.
6. Support key priorities such as reducing waiting times, improving care, and strengthening risk management processes.
7. Foster a supportive and inclusive team environment where staff are empowered and young people receive safe, effective, and compassionate care.

About Our Organisation:

We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people, and adults across Sussex. Our location offers a blend of picturesque villages, seaside towns, and city life with easy access to Brighton, London, Gatwick, and Heathrow.

We are rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the Care Quality Commission. 82% of staff in our recent survey recognize that care for patients is our top priority.