Job summary
We are seeking a Band 7 to join us as a Clinical Lead working across Chichester and Bognor
The role will be based in the Chichester and Bognor Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams and will facilitate the smooth and consistent transfer of clients between acute and community services and between other care groups.

• To attend all acute/community meetings such as Crisis Team MDT meeting, ward risk huddles/bed meetings, ward rounds, discharge planning meetings, zoning meetings.
• Be allocated as Lead Practitioner to all new admissions to SPFT Acute Hospitals and ECR beds who are not known to the service and be actively involved in care from admission to discharge and for 4 - 6 weeks after discharge, then to either discharge to primary care, signpost to other agencies, refer to Pathfinders or request allocation from the team. To liaise effectively with carers and families and link in with Acute Day Services, Havens, Staying well service.
• To link in with Lead Practitioners in teams who have clients in hospital and to facilitate liaison with ward where required. Liaison with discharge co-ordinators, clinical bed managers
• Attend transition meetings with CAMHS and Perinatal services and make decisions on whether referrals are appropriate
• Carry out a number of complex priority assessments for the team each week
• Liaise with other organisations
• Be part of the leadership team and provide a supervisory role for junior staff

Main duties of the job
As a Clinical Lead you will be responsible for providing clinical and managerial leadership to colleagues in our Neighbourhood Mental Team. You will have oversight of all patients identified with complex needs, ensuring that the discharge planning and pathways are being robustly and proactively managed for these individuals.

As a senior and experienced clinician, you will play a key role in supporting our inpatient services in achieving timely discharges, supporting our aspiration to offer care and treatment for all patients within the most appropriate environments.

In line with our Trust value of 'People First', evidence shows that people who are treated nearer home and in the least restrictive manner, have better outcomes. You will work collaboratively with our multidisciplinary team and our Adult and Older Adult Services, to help us provide this opportunity for the people of Sussex

About us
Over the next five years, community mental health services are going to be undergoing a real transformation, and you could be part of these exciting developments. Our community mental health teams will become part of amuch more integrated network of services and our mental health clinicians will be central in driving the changes, in close partnership with our primary and third sector colleagues.

We recognise that working in mental health can be stressful so we prioritise staff welfare, providing regular supervision, reflective practice, mentoring, and any other support that our clinicians need to ensure their wellbeing.

What you will receive from us:

• Regular Line Management Clinical and Professional supervision
• Access to a wide range of Training and CPD opportunities
• Varied leadership development opportunities

We encourage flexible working. We know that a positive work/ life balance brings about huge health-related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, home-working, part time hours, flexible start/ finish times or anything else. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

Details
Closing date: 16 August 2026
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year
Per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number: 354-AC-21317
Job locations: Chichester Neighbourhood Mental Health Team, Chapel Street Clinic, Chapel Street, Chichester, PO19 1BX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Effective communication and leadership skills, a sound clinical knowledge base, and a commitment to caring for patients in the community must be demonstrated. You must be enthusiastic, self-motivated, flexible and able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

REQUIREMENTS
In order to be a successful Band 7 Clinical Lead in our team you will be:

• A qualified and registered Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or Mental Health Nurse
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced and varied role
• Experienced working within a mental health setting
• Organised and be able to stick to deadlines

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to minimum diploma level with a relevant qualification or equivalent experience
• Evidence of CPD

Knowledge/Experience
Essential

• Significant experience of and demonstrable achievement in relevant clinical practice
• Experience of providing professional support/supervision and motivation of staff
• Understanding of Health and Social Care Governance
• Experience of managing staff

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: Chichester Neighbourhood Mental Health Team, Chapel Street Clinic, Chapel Street, Chichester, PO19 1BX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Service Manager, Marylinda Gororo, marylinda.gororo@spft.nhs.uk, 03003040400