Mental Health Practitioner

Integrated Care System; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity at HMP Woodhill for two Band 6 Mental Health Team Leaders within the Integrated Mental Health Team. The role involves assessing and managing the mental health needs of prisoners, providing interventions, and facilitating referrals. Candidates should be registered nurses with experience in a multi-disciplinary team and possess skills in risk assessment and effective communication.

Benefits

MyTrustBenefits discounts portal

Opportunity for professional development

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with evidence of professional development.
• Experience of working in community or forensic settings is preferred.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage a caseload.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage the mental health needs of prisoners.
• Function within a multi-disciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care.
• Provide effective case management and pre-release care planning.

Skills

Expert in engaging with people with mental health problems

Risk assessment and management skills

Excellent communication skills

Effective time management

Education

Registered Nurse (RMN)

Post registration qualification (CBT, DBT, etc.)

Job description

Go back Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 03 August 2025

An exciting opportunity is available within the CNWL Health and Justice Service.

In order to focus on the high risk 'Early Days in Custody', we are delighted to be recruiting Two more team members to join our growing Mental Health Team at HMP Woodhill.

We are looking to recruit two Band 6 Mental Health Team Leaders to work within the multi-disciplinary Integrated Mental Health Team at HMP Woodhill. If you thrive on new challenges, being in an environment where no two days are the same and feel passionate about Health and Justice then you may be the very person that we are looking for to join our developing team.

By joining our Prisons Health Care Team, you will not only look after the healthcare needs of our patients residing in secure environments, but who also have the opportunity to have a real impact on promoting health and well-being. Our healthcare services work to a7 day week working model, to ensure our patient's healthcare is managed and maintained to the highest of standards at all times.

Why not see what our staff say about working within our award winning teams:https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/health-and-justice/find-out-what-its-work-health-and-justice

Main duties of the job

You will have a key role in the exciting multi-agency, multi-disciplinary focus on early days in custody, assessing and managing risk alongside prison colleagues.

You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team; and be involved in assessing the mental health needs of prisoners, provide appropriate interventions and facilitate referrals; this will be delivered through outpatient clinics, inpatient clinical assessment unit and across the prison wings giving you the opportunity to work within the diverse fields of primary, secondary and forensic mental health.

You will be expected to work autonomously as well as part of the wider mental health team, to a standard equitable to that found within the community, managing a caseload and responding to emergency referrals. Working alongside the Primary Care team affords us the benefit of being able to work in a truly holistic manner, responding to the needs of both physical and mental well-being in partnership.

About us

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.

The trust also values its staff and you are entitled to become a member of MyTrustBenefits. MyTrustBenefits is an online portal for all CNWL staff, as well as their family and friends. It offers over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on your weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays, travel and entertainment. You can also access free online courses on a variety of topics, professional and personal, ranging from business management, languages, law and teaching.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Job responsibilities

• To play a key role in the important Early Days in Custody of prisoners, working closely with other departments to ensure that all risks are assessed and managed.
• To function fully within the Integrated Mental Health Team, assessing and treating patients through their journey in prison.
• To accept referrals and triage patients with the team.
• To undertake comprehensive assessments alone or with colleagues and feedback to the Multi-disciplinary Team, ensuring that planned care is individual and appropriate to the needs of the patient.
• To provide effective case management to a defined caseload in accordance with the Care Programme Approach, in conjunction with the team, appropriate prison departments and external health, social care and probation services.
• To ensure effective pre-release care planning.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RMN)
• Evidence of professional development since registration
• Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc

Previous Experience

• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of mentoring or supervising students
• Experience of care co-ordinating within CPA framework
• Experience of working in community setting
• Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment

Skills and knowledge

• Expert in engaging with people with mental health problems, assessing their needs, designing and delivering appropriate interventions and evaluating the effectiveness of the process.
• Risk assessment and management skills.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently as appropriate.
• To use supervision positively and effectively
• Proven ability to work patients to increase their level of self-determination and resilience.
• Effective time management
• Knowledge of the needs and rights of patients
• Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks
• Problem solving, stress management & conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to engage in evidence based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance).
• Knowledge of current challenges / developments in Prison health.
• Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service
• Compassionate & non-judgmental approach.
• Flexible

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.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearper annum (pro rata if P/T)