Closing date: 01 November 2026

Job summary
We are looking for an experienced SMHL Team Lead (Band 7) at our Crisis Line/111MH Option service. The service is a 24/7 mental health crisis line for anyone who may be in crisis and in urgent need of help with their mental health.

To be successful in this role you will share our passion, desire and empathetic approach to supporting people of all ages with complex mental health needs.

• Be experienced in risk assessment and management
• Be comfortable in a fast-paced and varied role
• Have ability to work autonomously

This role is suitable for Registered Mental Health Nurses, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers who are registered with their relevant professional body (NMC/HCPC/Social Work England).

We have a new office base in Worthing and there will be a requirement to be office based as a part of this role.

You will be required to supervise and support an evolving and growing team who are taking calls and supporting callers in self-defined crises across Sussex.

For this role you will be required to work a mixture of shifts, over the seven-day period. However, we do our best to fulfil our service requirement and ensure our team work the hours that suit their home life where we can. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

Our current shift patterns are Early (07:00-15:00), L1 (13:00-21:00), L4 (16:00-00:00), Night (20:45-07:15).

More information can be found on the attached Job Description.

Main duties of the job

• Provide clinical and managerial leadership to monitor and develop the practice of SMHL staff.
• Develop and participate in the delivery of a supervision structure for team members, ensuring staff are compliant with professional regulations.
• Take a lead on quality audits within the team and provide regular feedback to staff.
• Run a training programme for substantive and bank staff and ensure all mandatory training is undertaken.
• Maintain feedback loops with the organisation through team brief and other communication routes within the care group.
• Participate in working groups or service development forums to develop policies, protocols or guidelines for the multidisciplinary clinical team.
• Produce, monitor and review quantitative and qualitative data measures with the team, ensuring staff involvement.
• Lead on designated projects as required.

Key Benefits

• Excellent NHS Pension
• Generous holiday entitlement (starting at 27 days + 8 bank holidays)
• Access to NHS discount schemes (Blue Light Card, Health Service discounts, discounted petrol etc.)
• Free parking on-site
• Access to full psychological support via our internal wellbeing team

Qualifications (Essential)

• Registered RMN or Allied Health Professional with current registration and relevant mental health experience.
• Educated to minimum diploma level with a relevant qualification or equivalent experience.
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent.
• Evidence of CPD/post registration training in relevant service area.

Knowledge/Experience (Essential)

• Significant experience of and demonstrable achievement in clinical practice.
• Experience of providing professional support/supervision and motivation of staff.
• Understanding of Health and Social Care Governance.
• Experience of managing staff.
• Awareness of Trust policies and service specification.

Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year, per annum / pro rata for part time
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change, Band 7
Reference number: 354-AB-21135-1

Employer: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Contact: Lynda Mullins, Service Manager NHS 111/MHO, lynda.mullins@spft.nhs.uk, 07388227959

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.