Charge Nurse - Deputy Ward Manager

Job summary

Join Us as We Reopen Our New CAMHS Inpatient Unit

We are recruiting a Band 6 Charge Nurse / Deputy Ward Manager to join our newly redesigned Children and Young People's Mental Health Inpatient Unit, reopening in Autumn 2026.

Following extensive co-design with young people, families and staff, and significant investment in our workforce and therapeutic model, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of a modern, recovery-focused inpatient service delivering high-quality, purposeful care to young people (aged 12-up to 18th birthday) with acute mental health needs.

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

Main duties of the job

About the unit

Our refreshed clinical model includes purposeful admissions, structured care with early review points, strong links with COAST (Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team), and a 7-day therapeutic timetable including evenings and weekends.

You will work as part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, supporting young people, families and carers through assessment, treatment and discharge planning in a therapeutic inpatient environment.

This role is ideal for an experienced registered nurse ready to take the next step in leadership within CAMHS inpatient care.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive mental health and risk assessments for young people with complex needs
• Act as named nurse and care coordinator, contributing to care review processes and mental health tribunals
• Deliver and evaluate person-centred, trauma-informed nursing interventions
• Provide clinical leadership and act as a senior decision maker during shifts
• Regularly take charge of the ward, coordinating care delivery and staffing
• Support the Ward Manager with operational duties, including rota coordination, staff supervision and quality monitoring
• Supervise, mentor and support junior staff and students
• Work closely with families, carers and partner agencies to support effective discharge planning
• Contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement initiatives
• Maintain high standards of documentation, governance and safeguarding practice

About us

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust delivers specialist mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex. This post sits within our Specialist CAMHS Services, offering opportunities to work closely with acute, community and crisis pathway colleagues.

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

Incentives

If you are joining as a Band 6 Nurse, you would be eligible for up to £2,000 through our Golden Hello or Accommodation/Relocation Allowance (subject to terms and conditions).

Eligibility includes external candidates, those returning after 24 months, and candidates relocating 30+ miles closer to the work base.

What we can offer you

• A supportive leadership team and strong MDT culture
• High-quality clinical and managerial supervision
• Access to CPD, specialist CAMHS training and leadership development
• Career progression opportunities within inpatient and wider CAMHS services
• NHS Pension Scheme and Agenda for Change benefits

If you are looking for a leadership role where you can make a real difference to young people and their families, we would love to hear from you.

Job responsibilities

As a Band 6 Charge Nurse / Deputy Ward Manager, you will provide senior clinical leadership on shift and support the Ward Manager in the day-to-day operational management of the ward.

You will play a key role in ensuring safe, effective and person-centred care, supporting staff development, maintaining high standards of clinical practice, and contributing to service improvement and quality initiatives.

You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team, families and partner agencies to support positive outcomes for young people and ensure effective care planning and discharge processes.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Registered Mental Health Nurse with post-registration experience
• Experience working with children and young people in mental health settings
• Strong clinical skills and risk assessment capability
• Confidence in leading shifts and supporting junior staff
• A compassionate, recovery-focused and trauma-informed approach
• Commitment to high standards of care, safety and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional qualification ? Diploma in Mental Health Nursing
• Registered Nurse with current registration (mental health / LD/ Adult) appropriate to the job role.
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
• Evidence of continuous professional development

IT

Essential

• IT literate and willing to enhance skills ? Computer literate. Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and PowerPoint ? Ability to use clinical information systems

Physical

Essential

• Ability to carry out PMVA techniques ? Ability to administer IM medication as required. ? Ability to use manual handling techniques.

Knowledge

Essential

• Significant post qualifying experience relevant to the care group
• Experience of working alongside people with severe mental health problems particularly in their acute phase of illness
• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
• Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non statutory teams and agencies

Skills

Essential

• Excellent written and oral communication skills ? Ability to communicate in a clear and unambiguous way
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to develop effective professional relationships with others
• Establish and maintain communication with individuals and groups about difficult or complex matters overcoming any differences in communication
• Participate in partnership working with individuals, groups, communities and agencies

Analytical

Essential

• Skills of assessing and interpreting mental health service user conditions, communicating that with others and taking appropriate action.

Planning

Essential

• Organising and co-ordinating the activities of others within the ward environment ? Planning off duty rotas ? Co-ordinating ward meetings

Leadership

Essential

• Experience of handling patient property and valuables ? Experience of acting as authorised signatory for staff timesheets ? Ordering stock and equipment as and when required

Approach and Values

Essential

• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required
• Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust ? I ? Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of Human Rights in the delivery of this role

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.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).