Job summaryWe are seeking a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, with an interest in working I women's mental health, to join the Secure Services medical team.
This post has become vacant due to the current post-holder moving internally to take on a leadership role.
The post benefits from additional investment to increase the PA allocation and ensure a 25% SPA allocation.
The post holder will join a group of 16 consultants (12 WTE) working in the service. The inpatient medical team also includes 8 ward doctors (SAS and Trust Grade).
The service supports a number of core and advanced psychiatry trainee posts. The post holder will be Responsible Clinician for a caseload of 6 inpatients on Teign Ward. Teign is an integrated security ward for women.
There assessment and clinical leadership responsibilities associated with this role, as outlined in the Job Description. The service supports consultants to take additional leadership roles in medical education, management, quality improvement and research.
There are lots of opportunities for staff to be involved in service development work within AWP and SWPC. This includes the service's current cultural quality improvement project "Making Secure a Great Place to".
Interested candidates are encouraged to make contact with the Medical Lead to arrange a meeting and tour of the unit.
Interview Date : 22 October 2026
Main duties of the jobTo act as consultant and Responsible Clinician for a caseload of 6 inpatients. To fulfil the responsibilities associated with this role including those relating to the MHA, MCA, MAPPA and MoJ.
To provide forensic psychiatric and medico-legal expertise into the team. To support the development of multi-disciplinary formulations, assessments and treatment plans for patients on the caseload.
To provide clinical leadership into the team by overseeing clinical decisions, contributing to multi-disciplinary meetings and offering supervision and advice to colleagues. To attend referral and bed management meetings as appropriate.
To undertake access assessments and admission assessments for patients referred into the service. To provider senior clinical leadership into their link ward. To work closely with the ward manager and to contribute towards the management, governance and development of the ward.
To regularly attend team meetings and reflective practice. To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other teams and external stakeholders.
To work closely with other senior leaders within the medical team and wider service and contribute to quality improvement and service development projects.
To participate in the consultant on-call rota for secure services. To participate in teaching and educational initiatives, and to supervise trainee psychiatrists.
About usWe are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
Please note that Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is not currently a sponsor under the GMC Sponsorship Scheme. As a result, we regret to inform you that we are unable to consider applications from individuals who require GMC sponsorship
DetailsDate posted 17 September 2026
Pay scheme Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade Consultant
Salary £113,565 to £150,569 a year per annum pro rata
Contract Permanent
Working pattern Part-time
Reference number 324-RVN143-SSC-VT
Job locations Fromeside Secure Services, Blackberry Hill Hospital, Bristol, BS16 1EG, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesPlease refer to the accompanying job description for full details on the roles and responsibilities of this post.Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
Desirable- Relevant Higher Degree e.g MD,PHD,Msc or other additional clinical qualifications
- MRCPsych OR MRCPsych equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
EligibilityEssential- 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 of gaining CCT
- Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment
- Approved under S12 OR able to achieve with 3 months of appointment
Desirable- CCT in Forensic Psychiatry or CCT in General Adult Psychiatry with significant experience of working in the community
ExperienceEssential- Experience of assessing and treating patients in a inpatient setting.
- Knowledge and evidence of participation in CPD
- Evidence of effective multidisciplinary team involvement
Desirable- Experience of working in forensic psychiatry.
Personal SkillsEssential- To possess leadership skills and be able to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to manage own time, workload and prioritise clinical work
- Ability to appraise own performance as a Consultant.
- Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, in order to effectively work with patients, carers and staff.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Desirable- Evidence of specific achievements that demonstrate leadership skills
Clinical SkillsEssential- Ability to assess and treat adults of working age with complex mental health and risk issues.
Desirable- Previous experience of working with individuals in secure services.
KnowledgeEssential- Understanding of the management skills required to function successfully as a Consultant.
- Awareness of current issues in mental health service provision, policy and legislation.
Desirable- Knowledge of alternatives to inpatient admission care approaches
TeachingEssential- Commitment to and experience of undergraduate and postgraduate learning and teaching.
- Understand principles of teaching.
Desirable- Experience as an Educational Supervisor for trainees
Research and AuditEssential- Experience or involvement in a research project and publication.
- Experience of carrying out an audit project.
ManagementEssential- Evidence of management/leadership skills training.
Desirable- Previous management experience including that of other junior medical staff
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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).
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Address Fromeside Secure Services, Blackberry Hill Hospital, Bristol, BS16 1EG, United Kingdom
Employer's website http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact: Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Lead, Dr Victoria Thom, victoriathom@nhs.net
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.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). 
