Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disabilities £45k RRP: Sponsorship Available

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

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.

Desirable

• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management
• MRCPsych
• Additional clinical qualifications

Eligibility

Essential

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months.
• Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment

Desirable

• In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice

Transport

Essential

• Holds and will use valid UK driving licence OR provides evidence of proposed alternative.

Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Excellent knowledge in specialty
• Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty
• Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others
• Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA

Desirable

• Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service

ACADEMIC SKILLS & LIFELONG LEARNING

Essential

• Ability to work in and lead team
• Demonstrate commitment to shared leadership & collaborative working to deliver improvement.
• Participated in continuous professional development
• Participated in research or service evaluation
• Able to use and appraise clinical evidence.
• Has actively participated in clinical audit and quality improvement programmes
• Ability to work in a participatory way so that shared decision making and conversations around formulation/diagnosis and ongoing care are a collaborative endeavour with the people who access our service.

Desirable

• Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post
• Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken
• Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation.
• Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: SL awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
• Has led clinical audits leading to service change or improved outcomes to patients

Closing Date: 26 October 2026