Job summaryAn exciting opportunity to join us as a Clinical Nurse Specialist within our Forensic Inpatient Service, you will play a pivotal role in delivering expert, evidence-based care to individuals with complex mental health needs. Working alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, you will provide advanced clinical leadership, support service development, and champion best practice to ensure safe, therapeutic, and recovery-focused care, working closely with the Clinical Matron.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence patient outcomes, mentor and develop staff, lead quality improvement initiatives, and help shape a compassionate, least restrictive, and person-centred service. If you are passionate about clinical excellence, innovation, and making a meaningful difference within forensic mental health, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the jobAs a Clinical Nurse Specialist within our Forensic Inpatient Service, you will play a pivotal role in delivering expert, evidence-based care to individuals with complex mental health needs. Working alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, you will provide advanced clinical leadership, support service development, and champion best practice to ensure safe, therapeutic, and recovery-focused care, working closely with the Clinical Matron.
This post will be based at the Chichester Low secure inpatient male service. As part of the role you will be expected to work in the ward numbers on a long day once per week
This is an exciting opportunity to influence patient outcomes, mentor and develop staff, lead quality improvement initiatives, and help shape a compassionate, least restrictive, and person-centred service. If you are passionate about clinical excellence, innovation, and making a meaningful difference within forensic mental health, we would love to hear from you.
About usSussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPNFT) was formed in April 2006 and provides mental health, learning disability and substance misuse services to the people of Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex and parts of Hampshire. The trust published its latest clinical strategy in 2017 ('Our 2020 Vision') that sets out its vision for services. Apply through our website SPNFT was rated as 'Good' by the CQC in its most recent inspection report Apply through our website
Sussex is a beautiful county with good access to National Parks, spectacular countryside, pristine beaches and vibrant cities. London is easily accessible by train from most parts of Sussex.
DetailsDate posted: 14 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 354-FH-20646
Job locations: The Chichester Centre, Graylingwell Drive, Chichester, PO19 6GS, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities- To take a lead on clinical matters and policy development relating to nursing practice.
- To provide direct clinical nurse leadership.
- To be part of recruitment and selection process of staff.
- To be aware of Acute Mental Health Services, Rehabilitation Services and the Forensic Healthcare Service in accordance with Trust policies and protocols within nursing and nursing strategies.
- To develop and participate in the delivery of a supervision structure for team members.
- To monitor the caseload and practice of nursing staff and others in the team.
- To be part of a senior nursing group for ongoing support and development.
- To ensure nursing staff within service area are compliant with NMC regulations.
- To ensure staff are undertaking mandatory training as indicated.
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- Registered Nurse with current registration appropriate to the job role
- Degree/diploma level supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, courses to masters level equivalent relevant to the care group
- Evidence of post registration training in relevant service area
- Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
Knowledge/ExperienceEssential- Extensive post qualifying experience in relevant service area
- Experience of supervising staff and students
- Able to manage a caseload of patients with complex mental health needs
- Comprehensive knowledge of interventions specific to service area
- Awareness of Trust policies and service specification
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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 (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).Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 
