The closing date is 02 November 2026Job summaryPrevious applicants need not apply unless there has been a substantial change in their experience or suitability for the role.
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, providing a presence, with other team members.
- 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
Main duties of the jobPromote the health and well-being of patients and maintain a safe, caring and therapeutic environment based on an individualised approach. Working with the Mental Health Nurse Lead to provide an environment that promotes training and development among the workforce.
To work under the direction of the Deputy Head of Healthcare (Mental Health Lead) and Mental Health Nurse Lead to ensure that clinical priorities are clearly understood and met to an agreed standard.
- To assess health and social care needs and negotiate care plans with Patients and staff teams.
- To undertake risk assessments including the formulation of a comprehensive plans developed jointly with the Patients and staff teams.
- To work within the Prison Service safer custody framework for managing Suicide and self-harm (SASH procedures) to support Patients requiring this.
- To provide a service sensitive to age, culture, ethnicity and gender, sexuality and disability.
- To contribute to the effective multi-disciplinary team working within the team and the rest of the Prison.
- To participate in the reception/induction process, and any other model that the local team adopts, in order to identify individuals with mental health problems at the earliest opportunity.
About usWe're passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic, in the patient's own home or in a Prison. 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, Health and Justice and more - whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.
DetailsDate posted: 20 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year, per annum (pro rata if P/T)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 333-D-HJ-2037-C
Job locations: HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities- To have an active presence and act as a resource for all staff and prisoners, in addition to those patients under your care, in the Segregation unit and Clinical Assessment Unit.
- To work with the agreed Core Assessment Tool within all relevant Prison Departments
- To carry out duties in accordance with Prison / NOMS policies.
- To undertake comprehensive assessment of individuals: to include all areas of need and information gathering from all relevant Prison Departments and external agencies.
- To case manage an identified caseload of clients, in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team and relevant agencies and carers. To include the planning and implementation of effective care plans, regular review meetings, timely referral to external agencies, within the framework of the CPA, to ensure effective pre-release planning.
- To communicate effectively with all relevant internal departments and external agencies regarding clients, within the restrictions of a prison environment.
- To work closely with the MDT and identify and facilitate an effective range of therapeutic interventions for this particular client group.
- To respond to urgent referrals and to assess whether input from the team is indicated/appropriate.
- To offer a range of evidence based interventions and proactive risk management approaches to help the patient reduce and manage symptoms, high risk behaviour and other disabling effects of their conditions and enable, as far as possible, full and sustained recovery.
- To ensure that both CNWL Safeguarding Adults and Children Guidelines and procedures are fully understood and to ensure the safety needs of adults and children involved are met at all times and take appropriate action when either the adult or/and child is felt to be at risk or in need.
Person SpecificationEducation and QualificationsEssential- Registered Nurse (RMN)
- Mentorship or supervisor qualification
- Evidence of professional development since registration
Desirable- Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.
Previous ExperienceEssential- Substantial post registration experience
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Experience of care co-ordinating within CPA framework
- Experience of working in community setting
- Experience of mentoring or supervising students
Desirable- Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment
Skills and knowledgeEssential- Risk assessment and management skills
- Ability to engage in evidence based practice, with an understanding of care quality (clinical governance).
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently as appropriate
- Expert in engaging with people with mental health problems, assessing their needs, designing and delivering appropriate interventions and evaluating the effectiveness of the process.
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
- Proven ability to work patients to increase their level of self-determination and resilience.
- Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health.
- Knowledge of current challenges / developments in Prison health.
- Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks
Attitudes, aptitudes, personal characteristicsEssential- Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service
- Able to ask for support where required.
- Compassionate and non-judgmental approach.
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.
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.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.
Employer detailsEmployer name: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes, MK4 4DA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work
For questions about the job, contact:Deputy Head of Healthcare and Mental Health Lead, Shalom Mutizwa, shalom.mutizwa@nhs.net
© Crown copyright 