Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Nurse - Paediatric Mental Health

The closing date is 20 November 2026

Job summary
The Band 6 Specialist Nurse for Children and Young Peoples Mental Health and Eating Disorders supports young people and their families within the acute paediatric setting. The role involves specialist assessment, care planning and coordination, working closely with ward staff, CAMHS and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide safe, compassionate and individualised care. The post holder also provides clinical advice, education and support to staff, helping to improve patient experience and reduce restrictive practice.

Main duties of the job
For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 185-117979-14684
Job locations: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role
Below workload to be shared between the postholder and an additional 0.6WTE Specialist Nurse, currently in post.

Ward Team - inpatient care

• To attend MDT weekly meetings
• To be key named nurse for specific inpatients attending relevant MDTs
• To support ward team in the delivery of the current standard eating disorder (ED) care plans for eating disorder patients admitted to the ward
• To support ward team with the creation and delivery of individualised, comprehensive, robust plans of care for the more complex and / or atypical ED patients admitted to the ward
• To support ward team in the formation and delivery of emotional regulation plans and behaviour support plans for CYP admitted to the ward with additional MH need
• To support ward team in the creation and delivery of individualised, comprehensive, robust plans of care for CYP admitted to the ward with a more complex additional MH need
• To act as a positive role model, providing support to other team members and students, as appropriate.
• To teach CYP and their parents/ carers basic emotional regulation techniques to help reduce the anxiety and support their mental wellbeing both during ward admissions and on discharge home
• To support some meals and snacks of all ED (both typical and atypical) inpatients to gain insight into support strategies so this can be shared with ED team, ward staff and parents/ carers
• To support ward team in care planning around use of nasogastric (NG) tube feeding, with or without clinical holding, working collaboratively with the on-site security team
• To provide parents and carers with training in relation to supporting their child/ young person to manage their meal plans whilst on the ward so that this can be more easily continued at discharge, helping to reduce the number of repeat admissions in the future
• To provide staff training on the care and management of Children and Young People with an Eating Disorder including shadow shifts so staff feel confident and competent in caring for this patient group.
• To provide staff training on mental health, eating disorders, emotional regulation techniques and emotional safety care planning for CYP with an additional MH need
• To provide education to other hospital-based staff e.g. play team/ security team where appropriate
• To attend service development meetings as appropriate working collaboratively with North Devon team and other regional and national hospital trusts
• To keep updated with ED/ MH knowledge and skills through attending relevant courses and training.
• To ensure own mental health and well-being is protected through regular clinical supervision and patient specific debriefs
• To provide feedback, support and debriefs to ward staff as the service demands
• Service development under guidance of the senior specialist nurse.
• To engage in local and national networks to ensure evidence based best practice.
• To apply a flexible approach to the role, meeting the changing needs of the service, including some occasional evening and weekend working as appropriate to service need Eating Disorder Service

Eating Disorder Service

• To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), providing a range of ED interventions determined by integrated specialist pathways to children and young people (CYP) and their parents/ carers.
• To participate in weekly MDT meetings
• To attend regular ED team meetings
• To attend occasional CAMHS clinics as workload allows

MDT Clinics (Tuesdays 9am - 4pm)

• To attend MDT ED Clinics as part of the MDT, reviewing patients as part of the team, under the guidance of the lead Paediatricians and with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) input.
• Clinic time to include teaching basic emotional regulation techniques.
• Clinic time may also include meal/snack support as an interim intervention for that CYP so that parents are better able to support them at home and so that they are medically stable to return home, avoiding unnecessary ward admissions.
• To clearly explain ward admissions to CYP and their parents/ carers both by way of an incentive to get well and to ensure admissions are well planned and more effective if they are necessary

Nurse Led Clinics (Monday evenings 5pm to 8pm)

• To support and eventually lead Nurse Led Clinics, under the guidance of the lead Paediatricians and the band 7 Specialist Nurse with CAMHS input, offering support and regular monitoring for lower risk ED patients, providing early psycho-ed to CYP and their families alongside strategies of how to manage an ED, including use of basic emotional regulation techniques.

Working Pattern: 15 hours a week. To be worked as 2 x 7.5 hour shifts. Preferred Thursday and Friday, however flexibility is available.
Interview Date: To be confirmed
For further information please contact: Abbigail Phillips, Senior Specialist Nurse abbigail.phillips1@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.
You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential: See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
Desirable: See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Recruiter, Royal Devon NHS Recruitment Team, rduh.recruitment@nhs.net, 01392403642

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice