Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a keen and enthusiastic band 6 Practitioner to join the Forensic Community Mental Health Team (FCMHT). FCMHT is part of the Forensic Community Service within the Specialist Services Network. FCMHT is based at The Parlick Centre at Guild Loge in Whittingham, Preston. However, the role will require travelling within the areas of Lancashire and South Cumbria.

FCMHT is a specialist mental health team, providing care designed to support and supervise service users who have a diagnosis of severe mental disorder with a risk to others who have previously received inpatient treatment at low, medium, or high security settings. The FCMHT provides an accessible, responsive and adaptable service, prioritising the needs of service users with complex needs, to maintain the safety of service users, families, carers and the public.

The post of Practitioner sits within a multi-disciplinary team made up of nurses, social workers, doctors, occupational therapists, clinical and forensic psychologists and support workers.

The post holder will support all aspects of the service delivery, in particular supporting the delivery of the clinical model, case holding, engaging in supervision, assessing the needs of those referred, developing collaborative formulations, undertaking specialist risk assessments with the wider MDT. Being part of the 24hour on call provision of the service.

Main duties of the job
For all posts which require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check please be aware of the Disclosure & Barring Service Code of Practice, a copy of which is available by logging on to www.gov.uk/dbs. If the post is subject to DBS disclosure, a charge will be made to the successful candidate(s).

Please note that this vacancy will be closed once sufficient applications have been received.

The successful applicant will be working as part of a dynamic and enthusiastic team providing person-centred care to adults over 18 who present with forensic risk and mental health conditions.

You will support people referred to the service to access primary and secondary health care as appropriate.

You will be responsible for the maintenance of high levels of evidence-based clinical practice, contributing to and facilitating Care Processes and Pathways.

Providing consultation as part of Forensic Outreach Service.

You will manage and supervise the work of others, and act as a mentor and preceptor.

The ability to work independently as well as within a team will also be required.

Candidates will need to be IT literate and have experience using digital clinical records, as well as the desire to explore new ways of engaging with stakeholders using technology.

The candidate will also be required to work with multiple agencies and service providers across Lancashire & South Cumbria which will require excellent communication skills.

About us
LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well

Details
Date posted: 21 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year subject to confirmation
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 351-BAY1062-TG
Job locations: Forensic Community Service, Guild Lodge, Whittingham, Preston, PR3 2JH, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• Share information effectively and concisely for a range of situations and contexts to ensure safety and continuity of care
• Member of the multi-disciplinary team and active participation in team meetings.
• To undertake mental health assessments including Risk assessments within a multi-disciplinary assessment team
• Have a key role in working with a wide range of health professionals and other partners and agencies to reduce health inequalities and promote access to mainstream health services
• Work as partners with individuals and their families, providing advice and support, anticipating health needs, promoting self-care and enabling people to be as independent and involved as possible
• Represent the service and or individual service users at multi-disciplinary meetings, taking a lead role where appropriate
• Communicate often complex information effectively to service users and carers, using alternative methods of communication where appropriate, to maximise treatment potential, whilst ensuring an understanding of risk and benefits of assessment and treatment / interventions.
• Communicate effectively with individuals who may display extreme levels of agitation, including aggression and violence
• Communicating sensitive information to staff, service users and carers.
• Contribute to the communication of complex information at all levels
• Provide advice and teaching to service users, their family and carers, health professionals within the team and LSCFT AND the wider health community, public, voluntary and private agencies.

Further details about the role can be found in the job description and person specification.

All posts are subject to the nationally agreed Agenda for Change terms and conditions.

Please ensure that you read the Person Specification attached below as your application will be measured against this document.

If you would like further information about this post please do not hesitate to contact: Ian Holbourn (Team Manager) Ian.holbourn@lscft.nhs.uk / 01772 406642 or Fiona Andrews (Clinical Lead) Fiona.andrews@lscft.nhs.uk / 01772 406642.

Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) or Registered Nurse, Learning Disability
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice.

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of diagnostic criteria and current theories and evidence base of mental illness and personality disorder aetiology, treatment and recovery etc
• Knowledge of effective clinical interventions in relation to high risk and more complex needs and presentations
• Knowledge and understanding of team dynamics and cultural issues affecting delivery of care in inpatient settings
• Demonstrates current knowledge and desire to expand knowledge on current evidence / research pertaining to general mental health and specifically to challenging behaviour
• Demonstrate leadership skills within mental health, learning disability or liaison and diversion services
• Knowledge of a range of psychiatric inpatient settings and systems, community mental health services and criminal justice system

Personal
Essential

• Able to demonstrate initiative and are creative in finding solutions to problems and reasoning.
• A critical understanding of detailed theoretical and practical knowledge and actively integrates theory and practice
• Ability to analyse problems, gather relevant information and exercise sound judgement in reaching the most appropriate conclusions
• Ability to deal with difficult issues sensitively and diplomatically
• Ability to cover the Forensic Community on-call out of hour's service.

Other
Essential

• Ability to travel to different locations across the LSCFT footprint

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Forensic Community Service, Guild Lodge, Whittingham, Preston, PR3 2JH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Recruiting Manager, Ian Holborn, Ian.holbourn@lscft.nhs.uk, 01772406642

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.