Community Forensic Mental Health Professional

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension

Flexible working

Blue Light Card

Career development

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Band 6 mental health professional for the Specialist Community Forensic Team. The post involves managing a small, complex caseload with MDT support and providing specialist forensic consultation to colleagues across the South West region.

You will work from the Bridgwater office with travel across Somerset and SWPC area, including visits to Langdon Hospital, Fromeside Hospital, and Wellesley Hospital.

Qualifications

• RMN or Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy or Social Work.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD in forensic mental health or willingness to pursue.
• Commitment to mentorship training or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Jointly manage a specific, complex forensic caseload (up to 15 patients).
• Provide specialist forensic assessment and case management.
• Apply evidence-based psychosocial interventions in care.
• Integrate substance misuse support.
• Collaborate with partner organisations (statutory and non-statutory).
• Work effectively with carers and support education, employment and daily living skills.

Skills

Forensic mental health

Caseload management

MDT collaboration

Education

RMN or allied health degree

CPD in forensic mental health

Mentorship training

Job description

Community Forensic Mental Health Professional

Are you a skilled mental health professional, looking for a new challenge?

The Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) is an expanding service that provides support and intervention to patients transitioning from secure care to the community, working inline with the South West Provider Collaborative (SWPC).

We are looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated and experienced Band 6 mental health professional. This is an exciting post in an innovative developing service and we are aiming to develop a highly skilled team.

The team are responsible for overseeing the care of Somerset patients who are currently detained to a secure hospital within the South West region. We also offer specialist advice and guidance to mental health and other relevant services.

Youll care coordinate a small caseload with support from an expert MDT. You will also be able to develop your skills and expertise in providing specialist advice and consultation to other professionals.

The team office will be in Bridgwater, however there will be an expected element of reimbursed travel across the County of Somerset and the South West Provider Collaborative region. This is likely to include travel to Langdon hospital (Devon) and Fromeside hospital (Bristol) as well as Wellesley hospital in Wellington, Somerset.

Main duties of the job

• Jointly manage a specific, complex forensic caseload (caseload of no more than 15 patients given the intensity and complexity of the work).
• Specialist forensic assessment and case management.
• Use of evidence based psychosocial interventions known to support forensic patients.
• Integration of substance misuse support.
• Working alongside partner organisations both statutory and non-statutory.
• Working effectively and supportively with Carers.
• Supporting education, employment and daily living skills.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Qualifications

• RMN OR Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy OR Social Work; OR other relevant health or social care professional qualification.
• Evidence of ongoing Commitment to Continuing Professional Development
• CPD in the field of forensic mental health - Or willingness to pursue
• Mentorship Training - (willingness to obtain qualifications in this area)

Experience

• Experience of working with clients in the community and inpatient settings
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment
• Experience of working with a forensic cohort
• Experience of managing a caseload of clients with a range of complex mental health problems

Additional Criteria

• Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health
• Good working knowledge of health legislation and current practice and risk assessment
• Understanding of formal risk management pathways including MAPPA, MoJ, probation

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.