Working in CAMHS at Sussex Partnership means being part of a collaborative, clinically led service where your expertise, ideas and leadership genuinely shape how care is delivered for children, young people and families. Whether you are an experienced Consultant, SAS doctor or planning your first Consultant role after CCT, you will be supported to build a career that blends clinical practice with teaching, research, transformation, or service leadership – while living and working in one of the most beautiful regions in the UK.
Here, psychiatry isn’t just part of the service, it helps lead it.
Why choose Sussex Partnership?
You will be joining a clinically led, well-connected CAMHS service where psychiatry plays a central role in shaping how care is delivered. Consultants and SAS doctors are actively involved in pathway development, service transformation and multidisciplinary collaboration. Our culture is one of shared learning, trust, inclusion and professional respect.
What sets us apart:
👥 Collaborative MDT culture and visible medical leadership
🔄 Flexible job planning and genuine portfolio career options
⏱ Protected SPA time for teaching, research and QI
🏡 Relocation support and Recruitment Retention Payments
🌿 Live and work in beautiful coastal and countryside Sussex
❤️ Inclusive, values-led organisation with strong wellbeing support
This is a place where your clinical voice, expertise and leadership genuinely influence how services evolve.
What makes CAMHS at SPFT different
CAMHS at Sussex Partnership offers a range of specialist and innovative services not commonly found elsewhere:
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COAST (Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team) – a 7-day home treatment service providing intensive support as an alternative to hospital admission
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Spring Tide Eating Disorder Day Programme – one of the few CAMHS day treatment programmes in the South East
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i-Rock youth hubs – open-access support for 14–25 year-olds covering mental health, housing, education and employment, without referral
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Strong involvement of lived experience participation workers and co-production in service design
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Family Ambassadors embedded in CAMHS providing navigation and support for parents and carers
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Regional collaboration through the CAMHS Provider Collaborative, supporting innovation and pathway development across Sussex, Kent and Hampshire
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Research, Quality Improvement and digital innovation are embedded into service planning and medical leadership
These specialist services create opportunities for leadership, clinical innovation, research, academic development and new models of care.
Career Opportunities in CAMHS Psychiatry
CAMHS psychiatry at Sussex Partnership offers a range of career pathways across community, crisis, eating disorder and specialist services. Roles can be shaped to reflect your interests in clinical leadership, research, education, innovation or portfolio practice, with flexible job planning and protected time to support development.
Whether you are an experienced Consultant, SAS doctor or moving into your first Consultant post after CCT, you will find a supportive environment that values expertise, encourages progression and enables you to lead.
Depending on your experience and interests, you may want to explore:
Consultant psychiatrists at Sussex Partnership play a central role in how CAMHS services are designed, developed and delivered. You will have clinical autonomy, strong MDT support and protected time for leadership, supervision, QI, teaching or research.
Consultant roles are available in community CAMHS, eating disorder services, crisis and home treatment teams, neurodevelopmental pathways, paediatric liaison and specialist programmes such as the Spring Tide Day Programme.
Job planning is flexible and supports portfolio careers, academic interests, service transformation and leadership roles. Consultants are encouraged to influence service direction and lead on new ways of working.
SAS doctors are fully integrated within our CAMHS services and are supported to develop through leadership, education, transformation and specialist practice. You will have access to protected SPA time, mentorship and leadership development programmes, with clear routes for career progression.
SAS colleagues can lead on clinical supervision, safeguarding, service redesign, QI or innovative care pathways. We support CESR progression and Specialist Grade development where relevant.
Your expertise is valued, your clinical voice is heard, and your progression is actively supported.
We offer structured opportunities to develop as an educator, researcher or clinical leader through our CAMHS Clinical Academic Group, university partnerships and regional collaborations.
Opportunities include:
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Teaching medical students, trainees and wider MDT professionals
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Supervision of ACPs, psychologists and medical trainees
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Quality improvement, audit and service evaluation projects
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Research, academic partnership work and publication
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Clinical leadership roles and transformation programmes
Portfolio job plans and protected SPA time support development in these areas.
If you are moving into your first Consultant post after CCT, we offer a supported transition with structured induction, reduced caseload and access to mentorship and peer support.
Support includes:
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Named consultant mentor and peer groups
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Protected time for learning, development and supervision
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Gradual introduction to leadership and management responsibilities
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Tailored job planning during your first year
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Access to leadership programmes and development forums
We want new Consultants to feel prepared, supported and confident – not just appointed.
What it’s like to work in CAMHS Psychiatry
Working in CAMHS at Sussex Partnership means being part of a clinically led, supportive and highly collaborative service. You will work closely with psychologists, nurses, family therapists, social workers, participation workers and local education and social care partners to provide holistic, person-centred care for children and young people.
Psychiatrists are actively involved in service development, pathway improvement and multidisciplinary leadership. There is protected time for supervision, reflection and professional development, and you will be part of a network of peers with shared learning, mentoring and leadership opportunities.
We encourage open discussion, collaboration and innovation, with space to develop your own professional interests and shape how care is delivered.
Hear from our CAMHS Psychiatrists
“I joined Sussex Partnership after CCT and was supported to shape my first Consultant post around my interests in leadership and service development. The transition was structured, gradual and supportive, which helped me grow into the role with confidence.”— Consultant Psychiatrist, CAMHS
“As an SAS doctor, I have been able to lead on quality improvement, safeguarding and supervision without needing to become a Consultant first. My contribution is recognised, and there is genuine flexibility to develop a portfolio career.”— SAS Doctor, CAMHS
“What stands out here is how collaborative the culture is across psychiatry, psychology, nursing, family therapy and education. You never feel isolated. There is a strong sense of shared purpose and compassionate leadership.”— Consultant Psychiatrist, East Sussex CAMHS
“I combine clinical work with digital innovation, research and supervision of trainees. Protected SPA time is not just theoretical — it is supported and encouraged.”— Consultant Psychiatrist, CAMHS Provider Collaborative
🌍 Where you can work
We recruit to CAMHS psychiatry roles across Brighton & Hove, West Sussex and East Sussex, with opportunities in community CAMHS, crisis services, eating disorder care, neurodevelopmental pathways, paediatric liaison, day treatment and specialist roles.
🌊 Brighton & Hove
Community CAMHS, paediatric liaison, eating disorder services, neurodevelopmental pathways, Youth Advice Centre and i-Rock hubs.
Vibrant coastal city with culture, academic links, LGBT+ inclusivity and strong teaching partnerships.
🌿 West Sussex (Worthing, Crawley, Horsham and surrounding areas)
Crisis and home treatment (COAST), autism and ADHD services, community CAMHS, i-Rock youth hubs and youth wellbeing clinics.
Family-friendly mix of coastline, countryside, towns and excellent transport links to London and Gatwick.
🏞 East Sussex (Hastings, Eastbourne, Uckfield and Bexhill)
Spring Tide Eating Disorder Day Programme, crisis and home treatment, CAMHS LD pathways and specialist paediatric liaison.
Beautiful coastal and rural settings, lower housing costs and strong community mental health partnerships.
We are happy to explore roles across more than one area, or shape a job plan that blends clinical, academic, leadership or transformation responsibilities — where service needs and job planning allow.
Living and working in Sussex
Sussex offers a rare mix of coast, countryside and vibrant town and city life, making it an attractive place to live, work and raise a family. Whether you prefer seafront living, historic towns, rural villages or the South Downs, there are excellent options for every lifestyle.
The region combines wellbeing, culture and convenience — with good schools, green spaces, thriving arts and food scenes, and strong community networks. Brighton brings city life, diversity and culture, while West and East Sussex offer beautiful coastlines, family-friendly communities and easier access to space, nature and affordable housing.
Transport links make commuting and wider travel easy. London is under an hour by train from many areas, Gatwick is nearby for national and international travel, and road links connect easily across the South East.
Living in Sussex means access to:
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Coastal living, countryside walks and outdoor wellbeing
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High-performing schools and universities
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Excellent rail links to London and Gatwick
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Inclusive, diverse and welcoming communities
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A strong focus on wellbeing, nature and work-life balance
It is a place where you can build a rewarding professional career — while also enjoying the lifestyle, space and environment to thrive personally.
We recognise that moving roles — and in some cases relocating — is a major decision for you and your family. That’s why we offer tailored relocation and incentive packages to help make your transition as smooth and supported as possible.
Most of our Consultant CAMHS Psychiatry roles, and some SAS roles, are eligible for a Recruitment and Retention Package, which may include:
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Recruitment and Retention Payment (up to £45,000 over three years)
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Relocation support (up to £8,000, depending on circumstances)
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Assistance with settling into the local area and schools
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Pastoral and onboarding support through Medical Workforce and HR
Payments are typically offered in staged instalments, aligned to start date and length of service. The total amount and payment schedule will depend on the role, posting and future service commitment.
👉 Full terms for each post are included in individual job adverts, and can also be discussed with our Medical Staffing team.
📧 Medical Staffing: spft.medicalstaffing@nhs.net
Our relocation support can help with:
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Removal and travel costs
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Temporary accommodation or rental deposit assistance
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Housing and school guidance
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Overseas settlement and registration support
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Spousal employment / pastoral support
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Introduction to local professional networks
Important note: Incentive and relocation offers may vary based on location, contract type, service need and whether the role is full-time, part-time, or split across clinical and academic commitments. You can check eligibility in each vacancy listing, or contact us if you'd like an informal discussion before applying.
📩 Ready to explore your future in CAMHS Psychiatry?
Whether you're considering your next career move, looking for a portfolio role, relocating to Sussex or simply interested in an informal conversation, we’d be happy to help.
View current CAMHS vacancies: Here
If you'd like an informal discussion or have questions about available roles, eligibility or incentives, please contact our Medical Staffing team. They will connect you with the right clinical lead or recruiter.
📧 spft.medicalstaffing@nhs.net
We welcome contact from Consultant Psychiatrists, SAS doctors, specialty trainees approaching CCT and psychiatrists interested in research, education, portfolio and leadership development.
