Mental Health Practitioner (Forensic)
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time
- Posted
- 02/09/2026
- Closes
- 10/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
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The advert didn't contain a clear role-specific sponsorship line, so HiveMind can't confirm eligibility. Verify with the recruiting manager or trust HR before you apply.
Role summary
This role involves providing specialist community mental health practitioner input to the Community Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. You will coordinate team input, assess individual care needs, and plan, implement, and review appropriate care and risk management. The team provides enhanced risk assessment and specialist treatment to individuals with mental disorders who pose a significant risk of harm to others. Treatment focuses on safe risk management and recovery.
Essential criteria
- Current professional registration with an approved professional body.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Desirable criteria
- Training relevant to Practice
- Post Graduate Diploma
- Specific training in family work or other psychological approaches.
- PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
- Significant previous experience of working with service users with acute psychiatric disorders and complex mental health needs.
- Experience of managing a caseload.
- Experience of supervising staff and providing mentorship.
- Experience of working with service users with Forensic histories.
- Experience of working with service users diagnosed with learning disability and or neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Experience of working in assertive outreach, crisis or home treatment services
- Lived experience of mental health challenges.
- SKILLS/ ABILITY
- Ability to undertake assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment plans.
- Ability to prioritise work demands and be flexible
- Proven skills in undertaking risk assessments and management plans.
- Effective communication skills both verbally and written, including IT literacy
- An understanding and commitment to the principles of Recovery and social inclusion
- An understanding of the role of health promotion and education with the client group.
- Ability to advocate for the service users who you are supporting.
- The ability to supervise and participate in providing teaching and training to other staff.
- In depth knowledge and skill related to a particular therapeutic intervention such as CBT, DBT, family work.
- Experience in group work
- Thorough understanding of care planning and the Care
- Programme Approach (CPA)
- Knowledge of physical healthcare needs.
- Commitment to and understanding of evidence- based practice.
- Knowledge of relevant NICE guidance.
- Understanding of the legislation relating to menta health care including - Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Act, Care Act, Children's Act, Equality Act 2010.
- Awareness of safeguarding issues and responsibilities under relevant legislation.
- Knowledge of the role of the MOJ and other criminal justice agencies..
- QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Current professional registration with an approved professional body.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Training relevant to Practice
- Post Graduate Diploma
- Specific training in family work or other psychological approaches.
- PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
- Significant previous experience of working with service users with acute psychiatric disorders and complex mental health needs.
- Experience of managing a caseload.
- Experience of supervising staff and providing mentorship.
- Experience of working with service users with Forensic histories.
- Experience of working with service users diagnosed with learning disability and or neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Experience of working in assertive outreach, crisis or home treatment services
- Lived experience of mental health challenges.
- SKILLS/ ABILITY
- Ability to undertake assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment plans.
- Ability to prioritise work demands and be flexible
- Proven skills in undertaking risk assessments and management plans.
- Effective communication skills both verbally and written, including IT literacy
- An understanding and commitment to the principles of Recovery and social inclusion
- An understanding of the role of health promotion and education with the client group.
- Ability to advocate for the service users who you are supporting.
- The ability to supervise and participate in providing teaching and training to other staff.
- In depth knowledge and skill related to a particular therapeutic intervention such as CBT, DBT, family work.
- Experience in group work
- Thorough understanding of care planning and the Care
- Programme Approach (CPA)
- Knowledge of physical healthcare needs.
- Commitment to and understanding of evidence- based practice.
- Knowledge of relevant NICE guidance.
- Understanding of the legislation relating to menta health care incl
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £41,957 – £50,387 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 5d ago · Closes in 4d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Mental Health Practitioner (Forensic)
The closing date is 10 September 2026
Job summary
To provide specialist community mental health practitioner input to the Community Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. This will include the provision of specialist knowledge regarding the management of complex cases.
To work in close liaison with the Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists and other members of the multi - disciplinary team to co - ordinate the input of the team and to act as a key professional in the full assessment of individual care needs and to plan, implement and review appropriate care and risk management.
The Community Forensic Team (CFT) provides enhanced risk assessment and provides specialist treatment to people with mental disorder in the community who pose or could pose a significant risk of causing serious harm (usually physical) to others. Most (but not all) individuals registered with the CFT have been convicted of serious violent offending. Treatment is geared towards the safe management of risk and recovery of the individual.
Main duties of the job
Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments (MSE, risk, formulation).
Identify and escalate risks related to self-harm, suicide, violence, vulnerability, absconding, and safeguarding.
Contribute to risk management plans and ensure they are fol
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