Prison Mental Health / Learning Disability Nurse

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust; York; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in York seeks a Registered Mental Health / LD Nurse / Social Worker / Occupational Therapist to deliver comprehensive mental health services in a prison setting. The role involves clinical assessments, supportive care plans, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. Candidates should have 18 months of post-qualifying experience. The position offers growth opportunities and a commitment to patient-centered care.

Benefits

Professional development activities

Sponsorship for Health and Care Worker visa

Bespoke induction and competency frameworks

Qualifications

• At least 18 months of post-qualifying experience.
• Sign-off of preceptorship or competency frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Deliver clinical assessments and interventions for complex patients.
• Support a whole-prison approach to mental health.
• Initiate supportive care plans and communicate treatment options.

Skills

Mental health assessment

Communication skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Relevant nursing or therapy qualification

Job description

You will be a Registered Mental Health / LD Nurse / Social Worker / Occupational Therapist. The team will be multi-disciplinary, and the successful candidate will work collectively with senior clinical staff to provide a comprehensive mental health service within a prison environment. Your responsibilities will include delivering clinical assessments and interventions for complex patients, supporting a whole-prison approach, and carrying out comprehensive assessments with confident communication of treatment options. You will initiate supportive care plans and provide evidence-based interventions alongside a multidisciplinary team.

We seek professionals committed to a person-centered approach, capable of prioritizing and working flexibly. The role offers opportunities to develop clinical skills and participate in a wide range of training and professional development activities. Candidates must have at least 18 months of post-qualifying experience, including sign-off of preceptorship or competency frameworks.

We offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to eligibility. This position is based at HMP Millsike, a new Category C men's prison near York, with an operational capacity of 1500 inmates. Working in prison healthcare is challenging yet rewarding, providing opportunities to develop psychiatric skills and interventions while delivering urgent and planned care to the prison population.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, which recently secured the mental health service contract starting April 2025, is committed to staff and patient safety, operating a no-smoking policy across all premises. The Trust serves County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York, and Selby, focusing on education, prevention, crisis, and specialist care. We emphasize partnership, community engagement, and continuous improvement to ensure accessible, effective mental health care for all in our region.

Our values include co-creating positive experiences for patients, carers, families, and colleagues, and fostering strong partnerships. We support clinical development through bespoke induction, competency frameworks, regional career opportunities, and support from the wider team. We also offer pathways into specialist roles, such as psychological therapies, non-medical prescribing, leadership, and advocacy.

Join us to make a difference in mental health care within a dynamic and supportive environment. We welcome applications from qualified professionals eager to develop their skills and contribute to our mission.