Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist - Woodhill (YC72) - Health and Justice Services - Central and [...]

CNWL; London; On-site; GBP 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

CNWL seeks a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist for a leading role at HMP Woodhill. This position involves managing mental health care for complex cases within a high-performing prison environment. Candidates will work in a multidisciplinary team to innovate and improve psychiatric services and ensure high-quality care delivery.

Benefits

Relocation allowance up to £8000

Leadership development opportunities

Access to study leave

Interest-free loans for season tickets

Salary sacrifice schemes

Competitive Bank Rates

Qualifications

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise.
• Experience in mental health service improvement.
• Track record of leading a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and risk evaluations for mental health in prisons.
• Liaise with statutory and non-statutory agencies regarding mental health care management.
• Provide clinical leadership to mental health teams.

Skills

Clinical Leadership

Communication

Conflict Management

Team Collaboration

Education

GMC Registration

Primary Medical Degree

Higher Degree (Msc, LLM, MD or PhD)

Management and Leadership Qualification

Job description

Search here to find a new job, a new career, an opportunity
to up skill or to simply change your career direction.

Become part of our team.
We care for you as much as you care for others.

There’s a place for you at CNWL.

We’re passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient’s own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do.

Providing top quality care depends on our ability to employ the best people.
We’re always looking to recruit outstanding people who will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee we’re hoping to find our future leaders and we’ll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career.

With a diverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more – whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.

Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist - Woodhill

YC72

Main area Health and Justice Services Grade YC72 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

10 sessions per week Job ref 333-D-HJ-C-0002-A

Site HMP Woodhill Town Milton Keynes Salary £105,504 - £139,882 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 20/07/2025 23:59 Interview date 06/08/2025

Job overview

10 PAs Substantive Post AAC 06/08/2025

Lead innovation. Inspire change. Shape future care in one of the UK’s most complex and fascinating secure settings.

We’re looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking Consultant Psychiatrist to lead our experienced mental health team at HMP Woodhill – a high-performing Category B prison with Category A functions and one of the few sites nationally hosting a Close Supervision Centre.

This is an exceptional opportunity to deliver trauma-informed, high-quality psychiatric care to a population with complex forensic and clinical needs.

Why Woodhill?

• Home to a national CSC unit – a unique environment offering some of the most challenging yet rewarding work in forensic psychiatry.
• A prison that’s nationally recognised for its innovation, with a skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team.
• Located in Milton Keynes, with strong transport links to London and Oxford

Main duties of the job

• Conduct assessments, including risk assessments, treatment, care planning, and multiagency liaison for individuals with mental health problems in the prisons.
• Undertake Mental Capacity Assessments.
• Contribute to planned emergency interventions.
• Liaise with prisons, courts, statutory and non-statutory agencies concerning all aspects of mental health care management for men with mental health problems in the prisons.
• Collaborate closely with the Manager, Psychologists, and other lead professionals to provide clinical leadership and ensure safe, supportive care.
• Work closely with other medical, clinical, and managerial staff to provide high-quality care pathways.
• Participate in the ACCT (self-harm/suicide prevention) processes when relevant.
• Practice in accordance with NICE and other relevant Guidelines and CNWL Trust policy.
• Maintain accurate record-keeping according to Trust and professional guidelines (data protection legislation and information governance standards).
• Apply the Mental Health Act, including sections 48/49 and 47/49.

Working for our organisation

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest trusts in the UK, caring for people with a wide range of physical and mental health needs. We have approximately 7,000 staff that provide healthcare to a third of London's population and across wider geographical areas, including Milton Keynes, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire.

As a Foundation Trust we involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run and our future development. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Foundation Trust please visit our website.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.

We can offer full access to a wide range of staff Benefits Discounts :

• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Sponsorship for International candidates
• Access to leadership development, study leave, and a wide range of staff wellbeing and financial benefit
• Relocation allowance up to £8000 subject to policy requirement
• Study discounts for staff
• Interest free loans season tickets and car parking
• Competitive Bank Rates

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Why this role?

• Academic and research opportunities: Strong links with UCL and potential for an honorary academic appointment, particularly for those interested in research in the CSC or wider forensic mental health.
• Clinical innovation: Get involved in quality improvement, digital transformation, and AI in secure healthcare.
• Leadership: Provide senior clinical leadership, service development, and mentorship within a well-supported governance structure.
• Flexible pathways: Option to gain experience in court diversion, outreach, or management roles.
• Inclusive and values-led: Work in a trust deeply committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a focus on culturally competent, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed care.

Person specification

PPREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• ► Track record of improving quality in a service
• ► Experience of job planning
• ► Experience of resolving conflict and complex performance management issues

Qualifications

• ► 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
• ► Primary Medical Degree
• ► Management and leadership course/qualification
• ► Higher degree (Msc, LLM, MD or PhD)

CLINICIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE

• ► Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho- social perspective and wide medical knowledge
• ► Excellent knowledge in specialty
• ► Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• ► Ability to manage Clinical Complicity
• ► Ability to manage conflict and difficult conversations
• ► Ability to make decision based on evidence and experience including the contribution of other
• ► Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
• ► Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to the post within NHS or comparable service
• ► Experience of Quality Improvement
• ► Membership of committee/relevant regulatory body CQC preparation

ACADEMIC SKILLS & LIFELONG LEARNING

• ► Participated in continuous professional development
• ► Able to use and appraise clinical evidence
• ► Ability to work constructively within MDT environments without complaints / concerns
• ► Has actively participated in clinical audit
• ►Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to equality & diversity
• ► Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in working pattern
• ► Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm & initiative in pursuing innovation and the highest standards for patients, juniors, others, colleagues & the organisation.
• ►Demonstrable ability to cope under pressure
• ►Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
• ►Has led clinical audits leading to service change

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond. We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare. We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles. For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.

If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Dr Mellisha Padayatchi Job title Clinical Director Health and Justice Services Email address [e-mail] Additional information

Applicants are encouraged to contact the following key people to discuss the post in detail and if possible arrange an informal visit:

Dr Mellisha Padayatchi (Clinical Director) [e-mail]

Dr Simon Edwards (Medical Director) [e-mail]

Mr Patrick Gillespie (Service Director) [e-mail]

For any research related questions please contact

Dr Binta Sultan [e-mail]