Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced mental health professional to take on a Clinical Team Leader post within our established multi-disciplinary Mental Health Liaison Team (MHLT) based at Ipswich Hospital.

The NSFT East Suffolk Mental Health Liaison Service is an age-inclusive service, responding to referrals for people of all ages within the acute hospital.

This is a key leadership role within a fast-paced environment, providing oversight of specialist mental health assessment, risk management and short-term intervention for individuals presenting with a wide range of mental health needs. The service offers a single point of access for referrals from Ipswich Hospital, operating 24/7 and playing a vital role in supporting the acute hospital to deliver timely, person-centred care.

You will work closely with the existing leadership team to ensure high-quality service delivery, effective operational management, and strong collaborative relationships with acute hospital colleagues.

Main duties of the job
As Clinical Team Leader, you will:

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership to the Mental Health Liaison Team, ensuring safe, effective and compassionate care.
• Support and guide staff in managing complex mental and physical health presentations within the acute hospital.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues across Ipswich Hospital to ensure a proactive and seamless interface between mental health and physical healthcare.
• Lead on reviewing team performance, activity data and KPIs, reporting into the wider care group and contributing to service development.
• Oversee and support high-quality clinical documentation, safeguarding processes, and adherence to Trust policies.
• Provide leadership presence across the service, supporting staff with decision-making, risk management and escalation.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and promote shared clinical decision-making.
• Support timely discharge planning and ensure mental health input into complex cases.
• Offer guidance and education to acute hospital colleagues to enhance understanding and management of mental health presentations.
• Participate in recruitment, HR processes, supervision, and staff development.
• Promote a positive, flexible, "can-do" culture within the team.

This role requires confidence in managing competing demands, prioritising effectively, and supporting staff in a high-pressure environment.

About us
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you'll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We're an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.

Job responsibilities
We are seeking a highly motivated, forwardthinking leader who thrives in a stimulating, fastpaced and wellsupported environment. You will play a central role in:

• Ensuring efficient delivery of the liaison service across a 24/7 rota.
• Improving response times and management of referrals.
• Enhancing knowledge and understanding of mental health within the acute hospital.
• Supporting the team to meet key performance indicators.
• Developing and strengthening partnerships and pathways to improve patient outcomes.
• Leading service improvements and contributing to ongoing transformation work.
• Supporting staff wellbeing, professional development and reflective practice.
• Upholding a culture of honesty, involvement and shared ownership of patient care and job satisfaction.

The service operates 24/7, and leadership presence across the rota is required. A full induction will be provided, and we are committed to ongoing training and development, with shared opportunities across NSFT and ESNEFT.

Full UK driving licence is required for this post

Qualifications
Essential

• Nursing degree or equivalent, Dip SW or Dip OT or equivalent, or HCPC registered

Desirable

• ILM certificate in management or equivalent
• Ongoing professional development working towards degree level
• Higher degree or post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice - Post basic teaching qualification

Experience
Essential

• Able to demonstrate experience at a senior clinical level including staff management/supervision experience.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Evidence of providing leadership in an acute care environment including service development

Other
Essential

• Ability to travel

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.

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.

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