Job summary
Permanent | Full Time (10 PAs) | No On-Call Commitment

We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Consultant Psychiatrist to lead our Forensic Low Secure Service on Ash Ward and work in partnership with our Specialist Community Forensic Service.

Ash Ward has been a member of the Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services since its inception and is part of the South West Provider Collaborative, providing access to shared bed stock, peer networks, forums, and training opportunities.

The ward is co-located with the Specialist Community Forensic Team and benefits from a fully staffed, stable multidisciplinary team, resulting in excellent relational security as demonstrated through regular external Quality Walkthrough Reviews (QWWs).

The post is supported by a shared Specialty Doctor and will include a full-time Core Trainee once a substantive consultant is appointed.

As Consultant Psychiatrist, you will provide clinical leadership, manage a diverse caseload, contribute to service development, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

Flexible working arrangements are available, including opportunities for remote working and the potential for a four-day working week.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established service with strong professional support, outstanding multidisciplinary working, and a commitment to delivering high-quality forensic mental health care.

Main duties of the job
Please see job description for full details of this position and the person specification required to undertake this role.

We encourage and promote flexible timetables which can be agreed through job planning with the Clinical Director/Service Lead. The role includes a minimum of 7.5 Programmed Activities (PAs) for Direct Clinical Care, alongside 1.5 SPA for core professional activities (an additional 1.0 SPA for leadership, service development and other activities is negotiable).

Your job plan will be reviewed within 3 months of appointment and is subject to annual review.

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details
Date posted: 21 August 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 184-OL-MED-FAM-2240
Job locations: Broadway House, Broadway Park, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5LX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Clinical

• Provide consultant leadership to and provision of care for the Ash Ward patient population
• Undertake access assessments as part of the South-West Provider Collaborative at HMP Bristol and Exeter with recommendations for care
• Maintain professional registration with the AC/RC responsibilities for patients under the Mental Health Act.
• Collaborate with system partners to ensure patient flow between prison, secure mental health services and the community
• Undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients in a timely and accurate fashion, including liaison with the Ministry of Justice.

Managerial

• Contribute to service development, clinical governance, and strategic planning.
• Promote open communication and teamwork across a variety of services and professional networks.
• Participate in annual appraisal for consultants. and job plan review, ensuring the role evolves with service changes and modernisation.
• Follow Trust policies and procedures, contribute to financial management, and support the medical director and managers in service planning.

Academic:

• Participate in teaching, research, and supervision of junior doctors
• Be involved in clinical audits, champion quality improvement projects and play a role in ongoing research.
• Attend and participate in the academic programme of the Trust, including a bespoke Mental Health CPD programme

Career development opportunities:
You will be supported to become an advanced trainer and will be encouraged to teach post graduates as well as medical students from Bristol and Plymouth universities. You will be supported in opportunities to develop more formal roles e.g. academic tutor, placement coordinator, honorary lecturer, appraisal and deanery roles.

You will be encouraged to join our thriving network of clinicians interested in mental health research. There are opportunities to develop research interests, supervise service improvements, and support national studies, informally or as local Principal Investigator.

Additional opportunities in medical management exist including formal leadership roles (such as clinical lead/clinical director), governance roles, incident reviews, service development and specialist oversight roles.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• MRCPsych
• GMC Specialist Register (or within 6 months of CCT)
• Approved Clinician / Section 12 approval

Experience
Essential

• Experience in forensic psychiatry
• Evidence of leadership, teaching, and clinical governance involvement

Additional Criteria
Essential

• Please see job description for full details of essential person specifications required for both position

Desirable

• Postgraduate thesis or research experience
• Dual accreditation (for medical applicants)
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in service development or strategic planning
• Valid UK driving licence or access to transport

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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).

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

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).

Employer details
Employer name: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Broadway House, Broadway Park, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5LX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Hiring Manager
Michelle Butterworth
michelle.butterworth@SomersetFT.nhs.uk

Details
Date posted: 21 August 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 184-OL-MED-FAM-2240
Job locations: Broadway House, Broadway Park, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5LX, United Kingdom

Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)