Job summary
This is a key role in developing and maintaining high standards of care for women and birthing people who are developing, or at risk of developing mental health problems in pregnancy and the early post natal period. You will be joining a well-established service and you will be expected to work with the multidisplinary team within in the Perinatal Mental Health (PNMH) clinics.

You will have a high level of relevant expert knowledge and skills which you will use to manage, develop and lead care and care pathways and for pregnant and new mothers/birthing people with current or historic mental health needs. The role will be responsible for case loading women with identified mental health diagnosis.

This role includes participation in the Manager on Call rota.

This role includes cross site working between the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Main duties of the job

• Support, assist and advise women with, or at risk of, perinatal mental illness and their families to supplement the care provided by their midwives.
• Develop individual care plans and make referrals to additional specialist support where required.
• Act as an advocate for women to ensure they get the specialist mental health care.
• Liaise with specialist perinatal mental health service (SPMHS), and other services and partner agencies to ensure that women with severe mental illness are receiving active and effective support

About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Job responsibilities
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

• Support, assist and advise women with, or at risk of, perinatal mental illness and their families to supplement the care provided by their midwives.
• Develop individual care plans and make referrals to additional specialist support where required.
• Act as an advocate for women to ensure they get the specialist mental health care.
• Liaise with specialist perinatal mental health service (SPMHS), and other services and partner agencies to ensure that women with severe mental illness are receiving active and effective support
• Managing the professional expectations of multidisciplinary teams
• Act as a role model to other members of the team, demonstrating professional behaviours and exemplary conduct.
• Deal with and manage conflict in the first instance within the clinical area & escalate where appropriate.
• Provide clear feedback to staff members in a way that is conducive to maintaining and improving performance.
• Performance manage staff in line with Trust policy with support from the HR department
• Able to communicate highly complex and highly sensitive information to patients & other departments (both internal and external) regarding care and treatment using effective communication skills both verbal and non-verbal
• Through effective communication overcome barriers to understanding & act as the patients advocate supporting the decision of women
• Demonstrates kindness and compassion by being non-judgemental; treating all staff equally; being honest and giving timely and constructive feedback
• Communicate highly contentious information to patients, family members or health care professionals with regards to diagnosis and treatment.
• Using negotiating, persuasive and reassurance skills to overcome barriers to acceptance of information, advice and knowledge.

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Person Specification
Essential and Desirable
Essential

• NMC Registered Midwife
• Experience managing own caseload of patients
• Knowledge of data protection, confidentiality etc.
• Significant post reg experience

Desirable

• Effective teaching and presentation skills
• Post grad qualification or equivalent experience in related field
• Management/leadership experience/working towards
• Experience of working with complex service users

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

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.

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
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address
Royal Sussex County Hospital / Princess Royal Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Named Safeguarding Lead Midwife
Sarah Barwick
sarahbarwick@nhs.net
01243788122

Details
Date posted
15 September 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
Part-time

Reference number
279-8273046-SEP26

Job locations
Royal Sussex County Hospital / Princess Royal Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
United Kingdom