Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disabilities £45k RRP

Job summary

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a substantive Consultant Psychiatrist to an exciting all-age community learning disability post based in East Sussex. The role combines adult learning disability psychiatry within the Hastings & Rother Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities (CTLD) with specialist psychiatric input to East Sussex CAMHS Learning Disability services.

The successful applicant will provide clinical leadership across these services, working within well-established multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, person-centred care for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities. The post offers the opportunity to contribute to service development, clinical innovation and the ongoing improvement of outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, while supporting seamless transitions across the lifespan.

This job attracts aRecruitment and Retention payment of £45,000structured over a three-year period as follows:o£15,000 payable upon successful recruitmento£10,000 payable at 12 months' serviceo£10,000 payable at 24 months' serviceo£10,000 payable at 36 months' service

The RRP is pro rata for LTFT position. For full terms and conditions of the RRP, please contact (apply through the link on this page)

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide medical leadership and specialist psychiatric care across an all-age learning disability service, supporting children, young people and adults with learning disabilities who present with complex mental health needs, autism, behaviours that challenge, dementia and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The role combines consultant responsibility within the Hastings & Rother Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities (CTLD) and specialist psychiatric input to the East Sussex CAMHS Learning Disability Family Intensive Support Service (LDFISS), supporting effective transition between children's and adult services.

The Consultant Psychiatrist will undertake specialist psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management, including risk assessment, psychopharmacological interventions and Mental Health Act work where required. They will provide clinical leadership to multidisciplinary teams, working with service users, families, carers, primary care and partner agencies to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

The post holder will contribute to specialist clinical interventions, crisis support, consultation to families and care providers, service development and support for reasonable adjustments within mainstream services. They will also contribute to clinical governance, quality improvement, teaching and supervision, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-based care across the pathway.

About us

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across Sussex, caring for a population of over 1.7 million people. We are committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality care and creating an inclusive environment where staff feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive. As a teaching Trust with strong links to academic and research partners, we offer excellent opportunities for professional development, leadership and innovation. Joining Sussex Partnership means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation that is dedicated to improving lives, reducing health inequalities, and helping people achieve the best possible outcomes through collaborative, person-centred care.

Job responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity for a Consultant Psychiatrist to work within an innovative all-age Learning Disability Service across East Sussex. The post combines specialist adult learning disability psychiatry within the Hastings & Rother Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities (CTLD) with psychiatric input to the Learning Disability Family Intensive Support Service (LDFISS).

The post holder will provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities who present with complex mental health needs, autism and behaviours that challenge. Working as part of established multidisciplinary teams, the successful applicant will provide clinical leadership, support positive outcomes and promote high-quality, person-centred care.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing specialist psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing clinical management.
• Offering medical leadership and expert advice within multidisciplinary teams.
• Supporting effective transitions between children's and adult services.
• Contributing to crisis support, risk assessment, safeguarding and care planning.
• Supporting implementation of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and associated legislation.
• Working collaboratively with families, carers, primary care, social care and partner agencies.
• Supporting mainstream services to make reasonable adjustments for people with learning disabilities.
• Helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and supporting timely discharge planning.
• Participating in service development, quality improvement and clinical governance activities.
• Supervising junior medical staff and contributing to teaching and professional development.

The successful applicant will be expected to hold, or be willing to work towards, Approved Clinician and Responsible Clinician status and will play a key role in shaping and developing learning disability services across Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.