Ward Manager

Lead Our Newly Reopened CAMHS Inpatient Unit

We are recruiting a Ward Manager for our newly redesigned Children and Young People’s Mental Health Inpatient Unit, reopening in Autumn 2026.

Following extensive engagement, co-design and investment in our clinical model, workforce and environment, this is a unique opportunity to lead a modern, therapeutic CAMHS inpatient service where young people (aged 12-17) receive safe, purposeful and high-quality care.

About The Unit

Our refreshed CAMHS inpatient service is built around:

• Purposeful admissions with early review points
• A structured, therapeutic 7-day programme, including evenings and weekends
• Strong integration with crisis and community services, including COAST (Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team)
• Trauma-informed and autism-aware practice
• A clear focus on reducing restrictive practice and improving outcomes
• Strengthened MDT working, safe staffing and robust clinical governance
  
  

As Ward Manager, you will have overall responsibility for creating and sustaining a therapeutic, well-led and compassionate ward culture, ensuring excellent clinical standards and staff wellbeing.

• Provide overall leadership and management of the CAMHS inpatient ward
• Ensure delivery of high-quality, evidence-based, trauma-informed nursing care
• Lead and support a multidisciplinary workforce, promoting a positive and inclusive team culture
• Maintain safe staffing, effective rota management and workforce planning
• Ensure robust clinical governance, risk management and safeguarding practice
• Take responsibility for quality, safety, complaints and learning from incidents
• Support service development, innovation and implementation of new ways of working
• Manage the ward within agreed budgets and resources
• Work in partnership with families, carers and external agencies to support effective care and discharge pathways

Act as a visible clinical leader and role model for professional practice

You would work alongside a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist who would lead on Quality Improvement and developing and maintaining high quality nursing care standards. Jointly, and with support from the matron, you would hold accountability for quality, safety and culture on the ward

This is an exciting opportunity to develop a new team and to lead on ensuring compassion driven values and excellent ward processors around patient care, family and career involvement, team communication and staff supervision and development

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust delivers specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex.

This post sits within the Specialist Services Division, working alongside CAMHS, forensic services, perinatal services, Early Intervention in Psychosis and neurodevelopmental pathways.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to creating a supportive environment where staff feel valued, developed and able to deliver their best care.

What We Can Offer You

• Opportunity to work in a dynamic Acute CAMHS pathway
• Comprehensive induction programme prior to opening where all new staff train together and contribute to the team’s therapeutic approach
• Strong MDT working and supportive senior leadership
• High-quality supervision and reflective practice
• Opportunities for career development and progression
• Access to training, CPD and leadership development
• NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits
  
  

If you are an experienced nurse looking to develop your impact as a senior clinician and nurse leader and want to make a real difference to the lives of young people and families, we would love to hear from you.

Location

The role is based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, with on-site parking and excellent rail links to London (under 45 minutes), close proximity to Gatwick Airport, and easy access to both the Sussex coast and South Downs.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Nicola Chainey Job title: Head of Service Email address: Nicola.Chainey1@nhs.net Telephone number: 07391 415265

Kate Stammers (Divisional Director of Nursing and Quality).

Kate.Stammers2@nhs.net