Community Forensic Mental Health Professional

Somerset Nhs Foundation Trust; Wedmore; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension scheme

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is hiring a Band 6 mental health professional for the Specialist Community Forensic Team. The role oversees a small, complex forensic caseload, delivering specialist assessment and case management with MDT support.

You will use evidence-based psychosocial interventions, integrate substance misuse care, and collaborate with partner organisations while supporting carers and skills development.

Qualifications

• RMN or Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy or Social Work, or equivalent.
• Ongoing CPD in forensic mental health; mentorship training desirable.
• Experience in community and inpatient settings with complex caseloads.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Caseload management

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Risk assessment

Education

RMN or allied degree

CPD in forensic mental health

Mentorship training

Job description

Job summary

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.

You'll 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.

We welcome informal conversations prior to application and look forward to your call!

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.

Job responsibilities

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Qualifications

Essential

• 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 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

Essential

• 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).