Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and confident advanced clinical practitioner to join our Trust and Provider Collaborative secure and forensic patient flow and bed management team. Working across Sussex, Kent and Surrey, and closely with prison healthcare services, this role will support the effective identification, clinical review and timely admission of men requiring transfer from prison to secure inpatient care. Based within secure services and working into the male prison estate, including HMP Lewes, HMP Wandsworth and HMP Elmley, the post holder will provide expert clinical advice, oversight and support to prison mental health teams and secure inpatient services. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to safe, coordinated pathways for men with complex mental health needs while working collaboratively across a specialist regional network.

Main duties of the job
Based within the Forensic Healthcare Services and providing clinical support to teams in prison healthcare within male prisons and secure inpatient teams this post provides expert advanced level clinical expertise and support to men awaiting transfer to secure services from prison and the clinical teams responsible for their care. This requires the post holder to assess and review patients using advanced level clinical skills whilst in prison and in secure services in an unpredictable environment. The post holder does not provide treatment directly but provides expertise to prison based mental health services.

About us
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health, learning disability and neurodevelopmental services across diverse coastal, rural and urban communities, with strong links to partners across health, social care, probation and criminal justice. Within Forensic Health Services, you will be joining committed multidisciplinary teams and senior leaders who want the psychological professions to be visible, valued and influential in improving care. Together, we are working to strengthen reflective, compassionate and inclusive approaches for people who may present with complex mental health needs, offending histories, trauma and risk.

Details
Date posted: 15 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 354-FH-20660-1

Job responsibilities

• Provide advanced clinical assessment and expert advice for men referred from prison to secure mental health services.
• Coordinate timely referrals, assessments, admissions and remissions, ensuring safe transitions and compliance with the Mental Health Act.
• Maintain clinical oversight and manage risk for patients awaiting transfer, including developing crisis and behavioural support plans.
• Work collaboratively across prison healthcare, secure services and patient-flow teams throughout Kent, Surrey and Sussex to support effective care pathways and bed management.
• Lead clinical improvement and workforce development through supervision, training, audit, evaluation and the implementation of consistent standards and protocols.

Person Specification
Qualifications (Essential)

• Registered Nurse mental health, Registered Nurse Learning Disability Level 1 OR Registered allied health professional or social worker
• Registration with relevant professional body, NMC, HCPC or SWE
• Evidence of significant relevant professional development

Experience (Essential)

• Substantial evidence of recent relevant clinical Practice in Forensic Mental Health or prison healthcare
• Advanced level expert knowledge of clinical practice and multidisciplinary team working in mental health
• Experience of working with trauma informed principles of practice
• Experience of working in specialist forensic or prison mental healthcare
• Advanced decision-making skills that reflect a patient/ carer focus
• Evidence of inter-professional collaboration

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Associate Clinical Director, Rosalind Green, rosalind.green2@nhs.net, 07341737674

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