Job summary
- Main area
- Mental Health
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- FTC/secondment until August 2026
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Shift work)
- Job ref
- 354-CS-21707
- Employer
- Sussex Partnership NHS FoundationTrust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Chalkhill Hospital
- Town
- Haywards Heath
- Salary
- £46,148 - £52,809 pa
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Ward Manager
NHS AfC: Band 7
Come and join us
We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
We are looking for an experienced nurse to join the leadership team on Chalkhill Ward as the ward manager. We encourage you to apply if you are an experienced B6 nurse or a current B7 nurse.
We are looking for someone who leads a team with passion, clinical expertise and great communication.
We need you to help us sustain high standards and to help us to continue to develop further. You will be expected to have a good understanding of professional boundaries and ensure you uphold the NMC code of conduct.
We are passionate at Chalkhill about providing the highest standards of care and ensuring to implement least restrictive practice.
You will be supported by a Matron and you will be working alongside an established and experienced multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
Main duties of the job
Chalkhill is a 12 bedded, General Acute Unit for Children and Young People based on the Princess Royal Hospital Site in Haywards Heath.
The purpose of your role as Ward Manager is to be responsible for and provide effective leadership for a clinical team providing a high-quality service.
We have developed a culture where patients and staff's ideas and concerns are listened and we would encourage you to apply if you share these values.
Working for our organisation
You will be part of a team that is resilient, thoughtful in its approach and most of all, supportive to the patients they care for and the colleagues they work alongside.
You would be provided with on-going support via regular supervision
I’d welcome you to give me a call or drop me an email to discuss the role if you are interested. I would also be more than happy to show you around the hospital
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The key responsibilities are:
- To be responsible for the management and leadership of a team of health professionals providing care over a 24-hour period including responsibility for assessment planning, implementation and evaluation of care for the patients within their sphere of responsibility
- To provide effective leadership and management to staff which promotes high performance standards both individually and as a team
- To deliver a service within the agreed budgets and resources ensuring maximum value in terms of clinical and cost effectiveness
- Ensure that a culture of effective risk management is present in the team
- To act as role model and knowledge resource to the nursing team
- To represent the clinical area in all relevant forums and meetings
In order to be a successful Ward Manager Chalkhill, you will be:
- An experienced leader in a band 6 or 7 role
- A Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)
- Passionate about patient care
See attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of responsibilities
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to degree/ diploma level with a relevant qualification or equivalent experience
- Registered Nurse with current registration (mental health / LD/ Adult) appropriate to the job role
- Evidence of CPD
- Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive experience of acute care in the care group and demonstrable achievement in clinical practice
- Experience of providing professional support/supervision and motivation of staff
- Experience of managing staff
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience in similar role
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to provide and receive complex and emotive information with staff, service users, carers and other stakeholders
- An open and facilitative style of leadership which can be adapted when necessary to ensure delivery of objectives
- Able to hold professionals and peers to account
Approach/Values
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust
- Can use constructive criticism and openly seeks to review and reflect on own style and presentation
- Resilient and motivated with drive and vision that is able to work on own initiative and manage a range of priorities across competing agendas
- Empathy towards the needs of people using mental health and related services, and a vision of how services can make step changes for improvement
- Commitment to the aims and values of the NHS combined with high personal integrity
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Kat Wailes
- Job title
- Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01444 441805
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