Job summary
Are you interested in improving care for people with a diagnosis, or traits of, personality disorder/Complex Emotional Difficulties (CED)?

Are you a registered mental health clinician?

Do you like to innovate and lead on new developments?

Do you believe in working in partnership with people with Lived Experience?

If so, come and join this exciting service.

KMMH is growing its community services for people with CED. The Service User Network (SUN) provides groups, in person and online, facilitated in partnership with people with Lived Experience.

The groups aim to help those who experience CED and are a new addition to this care pathway.

The service model promotes open access and inclusivity, and is embedded in local communities. It is an innovative and exciting development in local mental health care, with an enthusiastic, creative and supportive team. Please do get in touch for a conversation to find out more if you are interested.

We are seeking a band 6 practitioner to join the team.

A professional qualification is required for the role, such as Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Associate Psychologist, Social Work, or other mental health profession e.g. Arts Therapist, Psychotherapist, or Counselling Psychologist.

This is a full-time post but applications to work part time are also welcomed.

Main duties of the job

• The provision of SUN groups co-facilitated with SUN lived Experience facilitators across Kent, both in person and online including evening sessions.
• Lead on production of RASP plans, manage safe clinically effective care
• Support the development of a group culture that is in keeping with SUN and Therapeutic Community ethos of support, inclusion, safety, and responsibility.
• Support management and supervision of Lived Experience
• Work in collaboration with other colleagues and service in the pathway providing services to people who are experiencing complex mental health problems including escalation for additional intervention if required.
• You will also have experience of, and interest in, group facilitation.

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

About us
We are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway.

Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD.

Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve.

Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.

Join us if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's working well together.

Details
Date posted: 15 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 380-WK0427
Closing date: 29 October 2026

Job responsibilities

• Work in partnership with the MDT, CRHT, and Acute Inpatient Services, other community teams, and Primary Care to provide support and treatment to service users to attend SUN groups and facilitate the safe management of their needs within a community setting.
• Provide a prompt response to requests for information and advice in line with agreed response times.
• Deliver education and training that better support the SUN groups in the recovery of people with CED.
• To participate in the formal evaluation of the SUN service in liaison with the Band 7 Team Lead and the Clinical Lead of the service.
• Maintain awareness of current research within own area of specialist practice and demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice

Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification.

Person Specification
Essential:

• Professional Qualification in Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Associate Psychologist, Social Work or other mental health profession e.g. Arts therapist, Psychotherapist, counselling psychologist.
• Experience of working with people with a diagnosis of personality disorder or traits of this that impact their daily functioning
• Experience of facilitating groups within a mental health setting
• Experience of risk assessment and management of people with personality disorder
• Experience of team working
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Evidence of recent professional / personal development
• Assessment, risk management and care planning skills
• Able to prioritise workload effectively
• Knowledge of psychosocial interventions

Desirable:

• Group work skills training
• Experience of working in a voluntary sector organisation
• Experience of reflective practice
• An understanding of national and local policies and research relevant to this service

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Address: The Brenchley Unit, 22 Oakapple Lane, Maidstone, ME16 9NW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Lead, Service User Network (SUN), Jonny Brough, jonny.brough@nhs.net, 07760478972

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