Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Lead Nurse to join our East Sussex Community CAMHS on a full-time basis. This exciting role, offered as a secondment or fixed-term contract until 30th June 2026, will form 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 presenting with moderate to severe mental health needs, and will play a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing high standards of care.
As Lead Nurse, you will offer professional and clinical supervision to nursing staff, contribute to service development, and work 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.
Main duties of the job
The Lead Nurse will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care across the community CAMHS pathways. You will lead on complex case discussions, contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings, and support clinical decision-making for young people presenting with high risk, acuity, or diagnostic complexity. Working closely with the Consultant Nurse, General Manager, and wider leadership team, you will contribute to service improvement initiatives and help embed clinical standards, governance processes, and best practice models across the service.
In addition to direct clinical work, the role includes oversight of professional development and clinical supervision for nursing staff, promoting a culture of continuous learning, reflective practice, and professional accountability. You will support the implementation of key priorities across CAMHS, such as reducing waiting times, improving care, and strengthening risk management processes. Your leadership will help foster a supportive and inclusive team environment where staff are empowered and young people receive safe, effective, and compassionate care.
About us
We provide mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex.
Working in Sussex:
- Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there's always new experiences to be enjoyed
- Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
- With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure
We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.
Job description
Job responsibilities
REQUIREMENTS
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Significant experience of practice in CAMHS setting at band 7 or equivalent.
- Proven record of innovation and evidence based practice development.
- Experience of service development.
- Wide knowledge of local and national policy
- Up to date clinical knowledge and skills.
- Evidence of advanced clinical skills
MAIN DUTIES
- To provide professional and clinical nursing leadership across the service; to contribute to the development and review of the CAMHS Nursing Strategy and to lead on its delivery and review within the locality area.
- To develop and deliver specialist training, education and development opportunities for nursing staff and, as agreed, others.
- To lead within the service on promoting clinical innovation and delivering continual development of nursing practice based upon evidence and relevant research. To ensure excellence in nursing practice and that service delivery is based on NICE guidelines and other relevant documents and guidance.
- To provide clinical leadership of CAMHS nurses.
See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
REQUIREMENTS
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Significant experience of practice in CAMHS setting at band 7 or equivalent.
- Proven record of innovation and evidence based practice development.
- Experience of service development.
- Wide knowledge of local and national policy
- Up to date clinical knowledge and skills.
- Evidence of advanced clinical skills
MAIN DUTIES
- To provide professional and clinical nursing leadership across the service; to contribute to the development and review of the CAMHS Nursing Strategy and to lead on its delivery and review within the locality area.
- To develop and deliver specialist training, education and development opportunities for nursing staff and, as agreed, others.
- To lead within the service on promoting clinical innovation and delivering continual development of nursing practice based upon evidence and relevant research. To ensure excellence in nursing practice and that service delivery is based on NICE guidelines and other relevant documents and guidance.
- To provide clinical leadership of CAMHS nurses.
See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing e.g. RMN or equivalent
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Appropriate leadership qualification or equivalent vocational experience
- Educated to master's degree level or willingness to undertake appropriate training
Desirable
- Teaching qualification e.g. ENB 998
Knowledge
Essential
- Significant experience of practice in CAMHS setting at Band 7 or equivalent
- Proven record of innovation and evidence based practice development
- Up to date clinical knowledge and advanced skills
Desirable
- Experience of using the THRIVE model
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, able to negotiate, professional compassionate and well-mannered
- Skills for analysis of service, patient/client, organisational and staffing issues
- Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities, formulate or adjust plans or strategies
- IT literate
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised professional qualification in Mental Health Nursing e.g. RMN or equivalent
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Appropriate leadership qualification or equivalent vocational experience
- Educated to master's degree level or willingness to undertake appropriate training
Desirable
- Teaching qualification e.g. ENB 998
Knowledge
Essential
- Significant experience of practice in CAMHS setting at Band 7 or equivalent
- Proven record of innovation and evidence based practice development
- Up to date clinical knowledge and advanced skills
Desirable
- Experience of using the THRIVE model
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, able to negotiate, professional compassionate and well-mannered
- Skills for analysis of service, patient/client, organisational and staffing issues
- Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities, formulate or adjust plans or strategies
- IT literate
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
