We are pleased to announce exciting new opportunities for two Band 7 Blue light triage practitioners to work across Hastings, Eastbourne and surrounding areas. The Primary base will be in Hastings at Hastings police patrol centre.

It is an exciting time for Urgent care services in Sussex having received recent investment to enhance provision and ensure that individuals can access care when needed.

In 2013 Eastbourne was one of the first to pilot street triage, this service has developed modern ways of working which have rewarded the team with commendations. The service is now covering across both Eastbourne and Hastings and is operational to cover 7 days a week.

We are looking to develop a team of Blue light response practitioners, to offer assessment to individuals in Mental health crisis who have come into contact with emergency services.

Main duties of the job

It is a highly clinically skilled team who provide dynamic and comprehensive assessment, treatment and care to people in mental health crisis that come into contact with Sussex police and other emergency services.

As a blue light practitioner you will need to have the skills and qualities to be able to work autonomously as a senior mental health practitioner with an ability to assess peoples mental health/ complex presentations, presenting risks and be able to formulate effective plans and strategies to meet and manage the risk involving liaison with the service user, family and emergency colleagues. You will need to be able to give specialist mental health advice, be able to liaise with clinical services and relevant agencies as part of the Blue Light Service and contribute to service development. The environment is fast paced and very demanding. You will need to have a good understanding of mental health across all services (Primary, secondary, crisis care).

About us

The successful candidate will be given a two week induction programme and will be supported by the service in order to help your integration in to the team and work environment . You will also be expected to work shifts and some weekends .

The ability to travel across Eastbourne, Hastings and surrounding areas and Police vetting is a requirement for this role.

Further posts are expected as the service expands in the coming months.

We invite applications from those with a minimum of 3 years' experience of assessment and working with people who present with acute mental health issues.

This role is unique, and interested candidates are strongly encouraged to make contact for an informal chat.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please see documents attached to this vacancy for more details.

Feedback from colleagues about Police service:

The practitioners we work alongside provide a wealth of information and expert advice that makes our job easier every day. The collaboration helps ensure the right help goes to some of the most vulnerable people we deal with and I have found their contributions invaluable.



Since its introduction street triage has proved extremely successful and beneficial to Sussex Police. There are frequent occasions where by Sussex Police are called to a wide array of incidents involving mental health. Although mental health training is provided to Sussex Police the expertise of street triage is invaluable when dealing and assisting individuals. Street triage allow for information and advice to be sought in a timely manner which may provide critical when dealing with incidents. By working in collaboration with Street triage a far better service is provided to the community resulting in better care and support for those in contact. There have been many examples where Street Triage involvement has prevented a persons detention under S136 and more appropriate support provided.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Registered Nurse with current registration (mental health / LD/ Adult) appropriate to the job role
• Degree/diploma level supplemented by specialist qualification, training, experience, courses to masters level equivalent relevant to the care group
• Evidence of post registration training in relevant service area
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent

Experience/Knowledge Essential

• Extensive post qualifying experience in relevant service area
• Experience of supervising staff and students
• Able to manage a caseload of patients with complex mental health needs
• Comprehensive knowledge of interventions specific to service area
• Awareness of Trust policies and service specification

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

354-AE-20632-D