Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Child & Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist -Inpatient

The closing date is 22 December 2025

Job summary

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist to play a key role in the future development of Tier 4 inpatient CAMHS in Sussex. Chalkhill, our 12-bed General Adolescent Unit in Haywards Heath (15 minutes from Brighton / 45 minutes from London), is entering an important phase of strengthening, innovation and service redesign.

You will join an established, well-supported multidisciplinary team and have the opportunity to help shape how the inpatient pathway evolves, drawing on best practice, national standards and collaboration across CAMHS. We are open to bespoke job planning and flexible working arrangements, including exploring a shared post model across Chalkhill and the COAST CAMHS Acute service, where this supports continuity, service quality and candidate preference.

This post offers a £45,000 Recruitment & Retention Package, bespoke job planning, relocation support (where applicable) and opportunities to shape a service with momentum and leadership visibility.

If you are seeking a Consultant role where you can make a meaningful impact and help define the next chapter of inpatient CAMHS in Sussex, we would be delighted to hear from you. Informal conversations and visits are warmly welcomed.

Main duties of the job

As Consultant Psychiatrist for Chalkhill, you will:o Provide clinical leadership for a skilled and compassionate MDT caring for young people aged 13-18 with complex needso Lead on formulation, risk management and treatment planning, working closely with families and partner agencieso Supervise junior doctors and trainees, and contribute to teaching, audit and quality improvemento Work within a supportive leadership group with strong operational and clinical management backingo Participate in the CAMHS Consultant on-call rota (1:9, with allowance for compensatory rest)

Permanent, full-time (10 PAs), based at Chalkhill, Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.

About us

About Chalkhill and Sussex PartnershipChalkhill is one of the country's leading Tier 4 CAMHS inpatient units, working closely with community CAMHS and COAST to deliver safe, integrated pathways for young people. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is rated Good overall and Outstanding for caring by the CQC, with strong links to Brighton & Sussex Medical School and active peer support networks.

Consultants benefit from:o Flexible job planning and opportunities for hybrid workingo 30 days' study leave over 3 years, with fundingo Wellbeing initiatives, occupational health and staff networks

Living and Working in Sussexo A mix of coastline, countryside and vibrant cities (including Brighton & Hove)o Excellent links to London and Gatwick Airporto South Downs walking and cycling routes

Recruitment & Retention Package (£45,000 over 3 years):o £15,000 on appointmento £10,000 after 12 monthso £10,000 after 24 monthso £10,000 after 36 months(Pro-rata for part-time employees)Contact: spft.medicalhr@nhs.net for full terms and conditions of this package

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-CS-21616-D

Job locations

Chalkhill Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath, West Sussex

RH16 4NQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Full details of the role can be found in the attached job description but If youd like to know more or arrange an informal visit, please contact: Dr Saam Idelji-Tehrani saam.idelji-tehrani1@nhs.net Nicola Chainey nicola.chainey1@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

Full details of the role can be found in the attached job description but If youd like to know more or arrange an informal visit, please contact: Dr Saam Idelji-Tehrani saam.idelji-tehrani1@nhs.net Nicola Chainey nicola.chainey1@nhs.net

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
  • Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
  • Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months.
  • In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice

Eligibility

Essential

  • Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment

Transport

Essential

  • Holds and will use valid UK driving licence OR provides evidence of proposed alternative.

Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Excellent knowledge in specialty
  • Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Desirable

  • Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service

Academic Skills & Lifelong Learning

Essential

  • Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training
  • Ability to work in and lead team
  • Demonstrate commitment to shared leadership & collaborative working to deliver improvement.
  • Participated in continuous professional development
  • Participated in research or service evaluation.
  • Able to use and appraise clinical evidence.
  • Has actively participated in clinical audit and quality improvement programmes
  • Ability to work in a participatory way so that shared decision making and conversations around formulation/diagnosis and ongoing care are a collaborative endeavour with the people who access our service.

Desirable

  • Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post
  • Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken
  • Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation
  • Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
  • Has led clinical audits leading to service change or improved outcomes to patients
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
  • Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
  • Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months.
  • In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice

Eligibility

Essential

  • Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment

Transport

Essential

  • Holds and will use valid UK driving licence OR provides evidence of proposed alternative.

Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Excellent knowledge in specialty
  • Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Desirable

  • Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service

Academic Skills & Lifelong Learning

Essential

  • Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training
  • Ability to work in and lead team
  • Demonstrate commitment to shared leadership & collaborative working to deliver improvement.
  • Participated in continuous professional development
  • Participated in research or service evaluation.
  • Able to use and appraise clinical evidence.
  • Has actively participated in clinical audit and quality improvement programmes
  • Ability to work in a participatory way so that shared decision making and conversations around formulation/diagnosis and ongoing care are a collaborative endeavour with the people who access our service.

Desirable

  • Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post
  • Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken
  • Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation
  • Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
  • Has led clinical audits leading to service change or improved outcomes to patients

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 (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.

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 (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).

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chalkhill Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath, West Sussex

RH16 4NQ


Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chalkhill Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath, West Sussex

RH16 4NQ


Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Director for Specialist Services

Dr Jane McCarthy

jane.mccarthy9@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

11 December 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-CS-21616-D

Job locations

Chalkhill Princess Royal Hospital

Lewes Road

Haywards Heath, West Sussex

RH16 4NQ


Supporting documents

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