Mental Health Practitioner
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 02/09/2026
- Closes
- 16/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“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.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role involves working as a Mental Health Practitioner within an Integrated Mental Health Team in a prison setting. Key duties include assessing and treating patients, undertaking comprehensive assessments, and providing effective case management under the Care Programme Approach. The practitioner will also be involved in pre-release care planning and promoting the well-being of prisoners.
Key responsibilities
- Play a key role in the 'Early Days in Custody' of prisoners, assessing and managing risks.
- Function fully within the Integrated Mental Health Team, assessing and treating patients throughout their prison journey.
- Undertake comprehensive assessments and provide effective case management for a defined caseload.
- Ensure effective pre-release care planning for patients.
- Have an active presence and act as a resource for staff and prisoners in specific units.
- Offer a range of evidence-based interventions and proactive risk management approaches.
Essential criteria
- Registered Nurse (RMN)
- Mentorship or supervisor qualification
- Evidence of professional development since registration
Desirable criteria
- Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.
- Previous Experience
- 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
- Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment
- Skills and knowledge
- 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 characteristics
- Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service
- Able to ask for support where required.
- Compassionate & non-judgmental approach.
- Education and Qualifications
- Registered Nurse (RMN)
- Mentorship or supervisor qualification
- Evidence of professional development since registration
- Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.
- Previous Experience
- 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
- Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment
- Skills and knowledge
- 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 characteristics
- Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service
- Able to ask for support where required.
- Compassionate & non-judgmental approach.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 5d ago · Closes in 10d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Mental Health Practitioner
The closing date is 16 September 2026
Job summary
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.
o To function fully within the Integrated Mental Health Team, assessing and treating patients through their journey in prison.
o To accept referrals and triage patients with the team.
o To undertake comprehensive assessments alone or with colleagues andfeedback to the Multi-disciplinary Team, ensuring that planned care is individual and appropriate to the needs of the patient.
o 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.
o To ensure effective pre-release care planning
Main duties of the job
Promote 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 Heal
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