Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Senior Staff Nurse

The closing date is 17 October 2025

Job summary

Are you someone looking for a career in one of the UK's most respected mental health and learning disability trusts?
Would you like to be part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference to peoples lives to enjoy a better future?

An exciting opportunity to join the team at the new Regional Learning Disability and Autism Unit in Dawlish (The Brook).

The new regional service based in Dawlish offers inpatient support to both adults with a learning disability and autistic adults. The building and environment is state of the art and the service aims to become a centre of excellence.

The job offers a challenging yet rewarding environment with opportunities to consistently learn.

We are committed to the ongoing training and development of all our staff and offer a range of opportunities for career progression.

Main duties of the job

The registered nurse will be responsible for the leadership and management of the inpatient unit, nursing, students, administrative and ancillary staff over a span of duty, assisting in the management and clinical supervision of the nurse team, and manage the unit in the absence of the service manager. Work a 24 hour flexible rota.

Work within NICE and NMC Guidelines and Standards, to be aware of and work within all relevant Trust Policies and Procedures. To work in line with agreed safeguarding protocols at all times. To be a proactive, skilled member of the ward Multi-Disciplinary team To demonstrate a working knowledge of the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 (including 2007 updates), Mental Capacity Act 2005 (to include Deprivation of Liberty safeguards), Care Programme Approach, and National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.

To assist the Service Manager in setting up standards, promoting change and developing nursing practice, supervision and audit.

Deputise for the service manager in their absence.

To ensure the delivery of high standards of nursing care to all patients, in accordance with evidence based professional practice and trust policies.

Work within the multi-disciplinary team, with carers, relatives, other services and agencies to promote mental health and wellbeing, independence and community inclusion for all individuals.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

03 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-25-0766

Job locations

The Brook, Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) Unit

Exeter Road

Dawlish

Devon

EX7 0NR

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

To have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Work in partnership with all health, social care professionals and other stakeholders, maintaining effective communication that benefits the patients wellbeing.

Liaise with carers, families and advocacy groups and representatives.

Ability to understand complex facts or situations, requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of a range of options and data.

Identifying trends / themes from data to inform care plans, positive proactive support plans and inform MDT decision-making.

Coordinate and lead shifts.

Deputise for the service manager in their absence.

Lead and supervise others, undertake annual career conversations and manage absence.

Assist with the development and delivery and evaluation of evidence based treatments / interventions.

Participate in training and development of junior staff within the clinical environment.

Monitoring of clinical work.

To develop the team to maximise skills.

To ensure the appropriate delegation of tasks, taking into consideration the skills and Banding of staff members.

Produce staffing rotas, taking into consideration budgetary requirements, skill/gender mix to meet clinical need and ensure safe staffing ratios in line with Trust policy.

Support the team to implement the Positive Behavioural Support Model and the active support element.

Facilitate the core teams to drive the delivery of care.

Ensure that plans of care are implemented and reviewed as part of on-going assessment.

Ensure that robust, up to date risk assessments are carried out by the relevant staff.

Ensure standards of care are maintained to the highest level.

Adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and other professional guidelines and National legislation / guidance.

To work with the service Manager to review, update and implement standards and policies for use in adult inpatient settings as appropriate.

Participate in on-going training and education.

Keep up to date on relevant Government and local policy and guidance in relation to best practice for learning disability and complex distressed behaviour.

Promote service changes with a positive and professional attitude.

Explore innovative ways of delivering and improving patient care.

Establish an efficient working environment, making the most effective use of staff, supplies, equipment and services.

To demonstrate effective risk management.

Provide supervision and career conversations for Registered Nursing staff.

Provide direct management of identified junior staff (taking account of HR policies, including staff welfare, capability and maximising attendance).

Demonstrate effective leadership / management skills.

Participate in the role of Practice Assessor / Supervisor to students.

Participate in audits / quality improvement projects.

Develop and empower junior staff within the team.

To ensure accurate clinical documentation, both written and electronic are in line with Trust policy and professional requirements (NMC).

Use necessary electronic patient records required for administration.

Undertake surveys or audits as required.

Contribute to research projects when appropriate.

To contribute to the provision of a safe therapeutic environment for individuals, staff and visitors to the unit.

To take on responsibility for duties assigned by Line Manager.

The post holder should ensure their fitness to undertake the post and demonstrate they have completed the level of general training and personal safety training appropriate to their role and work area, and keep this training up-to-date.

If the ability to perform Physical Intervention Techniques or Conflict Management is a requirement of the role, the post holder must declare physical fitness to undertake such a role.

The post holder should act quickly to protect the safety of individuals if they have reason to believe that they or a colleague may not be fit to undertake the duties within their job role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

To have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Work in partnership with all health, social care professionals and other stakeholders, maintaining effective communication that benefits the patients wellbeing.

Liaise with carers, families and advocacy groups and representatives.

Ability to understand complex facts or situations, requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of a range of options and data.

Identifying trends / themes from data to inform care plans, positive proactive support plans and inform MDT decision-making.

Coordinate and lead shifts.

Deputise for the service manager in their absence.

Lead and supervise others, undertake annual career conversations and manage absence.

Assist with the development and delivery and evaluation of evidence based treatments / interventions.

Participate in training and development of junior staff within the clinical environment.

Monitoring of clinical work.

To develop the team to maximise skills.

To ensure the appropriate delegation of tasks, taking into consideration the skills and Banding of staff members.

Produce staffing rotas, taking into consideration budgetary requirements, skill/gender mix to meet clinical need and ensure safe staffing ratios in line with Trust policy.

Support the team to implement the Positive Behavioural Support Model and the active support element.

Facilitate the core teams to drive the delivery of care.

Ensure that plans of care are implemented and reviewed as part of on-going assessment.

Ensure that robust, up to date risk assessments are carried out by the relevant staff.

Ensure standards of care are maintained to the highest level.

Adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and other professional guidelines and National legislation / guidance.

To work with the service Manager to review, update and implement standards and policies for use in adult inpatient settings as appropriate.

Participate in on-going training and education.

Keep up to date on relevant Government and local policy and guidance in relation to best practice for learning disability and complex distressed behaviour.

Promote service changes with a positive and professional attitude.

Explore innovative ways of delivering and improving patient care.

Establish an efficient working environment, making the most effective use of staff, supplies, equipment and services.

To demonstrate effective risk management.

Provide supervision and career conversations for Registered Nursing staff.

Provide direct management of identified junior staff (taking account of HR policies, including staff welfare, capability and maximising attendance).

Demonstrate effective leadership / management skills.

Participate in the role of Practice Assessor / Supervisor to students.

Participate in audits / quality improvement projects.

Develop and empower junior staff within the team.

To ensure accurate clinical documentation, both written and electronic are in line with Trust policy and professional requirements (NMC).

Use necessary electronic patient records required for administration.

Undertake surveys or audits as required.

Contribute to research projects when appropriate.

To contribute to the provision of a safe therapeutic environment for individuals, staff and visitors to the unit.

To take on responsibility for duties assigned by Line Manager.

If the ability to perform Physical Intervention Techniques or Conflict Management is a requirement of the role, the post holder must declare physical fitness to undertake such a role.

The post holder should act quickly to protect the safety of individuals if they have reason to believe that they or a colleague may not be fit to undertake the duties within their job role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

A professional degree level Mental Health / RNLD Nursing qualification and registration with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Desirable

Practice Assessor / Supervisor Training undertaken.

Experience

Essential

Substantial post registration experience.
Experience of working with people with a learning disability / autistic people.
Experience as a Band 5 in an acute inpatient setting.
Experience working within an MDT.
Clinical Supervision and Practice Assessor / Supervisor Experience. Experience of managing staff / have undertaken management and leadership course (or willingness to work towards).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills and use of mobile technology (iPad).
Able to provide and receive complex sensitive information in relation to staff, patients, families and carers.
Able to problem solve and assist others in this process.
Effectively manage admission / discharges.
Ability to assess and manage risk effectively.
Lead and supervise staff to provide a high quality, effective service. Good liaison skills and ability to manage difficult and complex situations.
Effectively able to manage own time and that of the team.
Ability to work flexibly.
Able to undertake nursing procedures e.g. manual handling, physical restraint.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

A professional degree level Mental Health / RNLD Nursing qualification and registration with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Desirable

Practice Assessor / Supervisor Training undertaken.

Experience

Essential

Substantial post registration experience.
Experience of working with people with a learning disability / autistic people.
Experience as a Band 5 in an acute inpatient setting.
Experience working within an MDT.
Clinical Supervision and Practice Assessor / Supervisor Experience. Experience of managing staff / have undertaken management and leadership course (or willingness to work towards).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills and use of mobile technology (iPad).
Able to provide and receive complex sensitive information in relation to staff, patients, families and carers.
Able to problem solve and assist others in this process.
Effectively manage admission / discharges.
Ability to assess and manage risk effectively.
Lead and supervise staff to provide a high quality, effective service. Good liaison skills and ability to manage difficult and complex situations.
Effectively able to manage own time and that of the team.
Ability to work flexibly.
Able to undertake nursing procedures e.g. manual handling, physical restraint.

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.