Come and join us

We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.

At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.

We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.

We recognise that tools like AI are becoming part of everyday life and you may choose to use them when preparing your application. We welcome this, as long as what you submit reflects your own experience, skills and voice. AI can be helpful for structuring or refining your answers, but it should not replace your own examples or create content that isn’t based on your real experience.

Our recruitment process is designed to get to know you, and we’ll explore your examples further at interview, so it’s important your application genuinely represents what you bring. You can read more about using AI in applications and interviews on our recruitment process page.

We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.

Job overview

Op Courage Veterans Mental Health Service

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Are you passionate about supporting veterans, transitioning military personnel and reservists experiencing substance misuse, addictive behaviours, and mental health difficulties?

Op Courage - South East offers support to Veterans and Reservists within the geographical regions of Kent, Surrey and Sussex. A veteran is an individual who has service one or more days in the British Military, and it is this group of people that Op Courage works with on a holistic level.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated practitioner to lead on substance misuse within the Op Courage Veterans Mental Health Service. This is an exciting chance to join a specialist multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of those who have served in the Armed Forces.





This post offers the Trust's £2,000 Golden Hello or Relocation Incentive for Band 6 Nurses & Practitioners, (pro rata and subject to terms and conditions; please see attached Protocol Document for full details).

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About the Role

As the Specialist Substance Misuse Practitioner, you will provide expert assessment, formulation, and psychosocial interventions for veterans presenting with substance misuse and addictive behaviours alongside complex mental health and social care needs.

You will act as the service lead for substance misuse, supporting colleagues through consultation, training, and the development of best practice across the team. Working autonomously and collaboratively, you will manage a defined caseload, undertake comprehensive assessments, formulate risk management plans, and deliver evidence-based interventions tailored to individual needs.

You will work closely with families, carers, statutory services, and third-sector organisations to ensure veterans receive holistic, person-centred care and support throughout their recovery journey.

Working for our organisation

We are an expanding and exciting specialist service within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, working regionally in the south east and nationally as part of the NHS Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

Detailed and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

- Lead on substance misuse and addictive behaviour interventions across Op Courage.
- Complete comprehensive mental health, substance misuse, risk, and social care assessments.
- Develop and review person-centred care and recovery plans.
- Deliver specialist psychosocial interventions, including individual and group work.
- Provide consultation, advice, and training to multidisciplinary colleagues.
- Assess and manage clinical risk, including safeguarding concerns.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to coordinate care and support.
- Support service development, quality improvement, audit, and clinical governance activities.
- Provide supervision, mentorship, and support to junior staff and students.
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical records and outcome measures.

Person Specification

We are looking for an enthusiastic clinician who:

- Is a Registered Mental Health Nurse (NMC).




- Has significant experience working with individuals experiencing substance misuse and co-occurring mental health difficulties.
- Demonstrates strong assessment, formulation, and risk management skills.
- Has experience delivering evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
- Is confident working autonomously while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Is passionate about improving outcomes for veterans and military communities.
- Evidence of supervising staff. 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK Professional Registration.

Employer Details

This post will be based in Sussex, however there will be an expectation to travel across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.

Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous NHS experience in a similar role can be evidenced.

SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role.

If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. However, we’ll always do our best to keep you informed as we know how much time and care goes into applying for a role.

In the event of a high number of applications, we may close this vacancy early.

Protect Yourself from Recruitment Fraud

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust does not charge any fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements or employment offers.

All vacancies, applications and recruitment communications are managed through the Trust's official careers website and published contact details.

These are the only authorised channels for applying for roles, receiving recruitment communications and verifying job offers.

Further information relating to our vacancies and recruitment process can be found at - https://careers.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/.

📌 Community Nurse Dual Practitioner (Surrey)
🏢 Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
📍 Surrey