Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist/Practitioner MPAC – Ash Ward(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Automotive Jobs, Health and Care
Uk
December 30, 2025
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

Role Overview

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a forward-thinking, committed, and collaborative Consultant Psychiatrist to join our Forensic Mental Health Service, based on Ash Ward, a low secure inpatient unit in Bridgwater.

This is a substantive, full-time (1.0 WTE) post for a clinician who is Mental Health Act (MHA) Approved and has experience or training in forensic mental health services. You will play a key leadership role in delivering high-quality, safe, and recovery-focused care to individuals involved with, or at risk of entering, the criminal justice system.

Expressions of interest are also welcomed from Consultant Psychologists, Nurses, Social Workers, and Occupational Therapists who are Approved Clinicians with relevant forensic experience. A tailored job description for non-medical applicants is available on request.

About Ash Ward and Forensic Services

Ash Ward forms part of Somerset’s integrated Forensic Mental Health Service, supporting individuals who present with complex mental health needs and significant risks.

The service includes:

  • Community Forensic Team – providing specialist forensic consultation to community and inpatient teams
  • Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) – gatekeeping for secure admissions and supporting patients placed in secure settings across the South West
  • Liaison and Diversion Service (ASCC) – operating in police custody suites and courts
  • Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway – delivered jointly with probation services

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership and Care

  • Provide clinical leadership to the Ash Ward multidisciplinary team
  • Hold Approved Clinician (AC) and Responsible Clinician (RC) responsibilities where appropriate
  • Ensure care is well-coordinated, legally compliant, and patient-centred
  • Act as liaison with the Ministry of Justice for restricted patients when required
  • Lead on risk assessment, management, and patient/public safety
  • Promote a culture of learning, openness, and reflective practice

Team Working and Communication

  • Work closely with senior clinicians to ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability
  • Foster effective communication across services and agencies
  • Support shared decision-making within the multidisciplinary team
  • Ensure patients and carers know who to contact regarding care concerns

Service Development

  • Contribute to service planning, quality improvement, and innovation
  • Support accurate and timely clinical data recording
  • Develop specialist interests aligned with service needs through job planning

Job Planning and Flexibility

  • Direct Clinical Care (DCC): 7.5 PAs
  • Supporting Professional Activities (SPA): 1.5 PAs
  • Additional SPA time negotiable for leadership, education, or research roles

The Trust actively supports:

  • Four-day full-time working patterns
  • Partial remote working, where appropriate
  • A strong emphasis on consultant wellbeing and work–life balance
  • Out-of-Hours On-Call (Optional)
  • Participation in the senior on-call rota is optional and subject to availability.
  • 1 in 10 rota
  • Covers senior medical and RC duties across adult, older adult, PICU, rehabilitation, and forensic wards
  • Includes Section 12 MHA assessments in hospitals, custody suites, and the community

On-call remuneration includes:

  • 1.25 PA payment for S12 duties
  • 3% salary enhancement for RC cover
  • Additional section fees (excluding Trust inpatients)

Essential Requirements

Medical Applicants

  • MBBS (or equivalent)
  • MRCPsych
  • Approved Clinician / Section 12 approved
  • Entry on (or eligibility for) the GMC Specialist Register
  • Evidence of competencies required for consultant forensic psychiatry practice

Non-Medical Applicants

  • Recognised professional qualification (e.g. Nursing, Psychology, OT, Social Work)
  • Current HCPC or NMC registration
  • Trained and registered as an Approved Clinician

Desirable Attributes

  • Experience supervising or training junior staff
  • Formal forensic psychiatry qualifications or endorsements
  • Dual accreditation (for medical applicants)
  • Advanced qualifications in leadership, physical health, prescribing, or psychological therapies

Pay and Benefits

  • Salary: £109,725 – £145,478 per annum
  • NHS Pension Scheme
  • Generous annual leave
  • Blue Light Card discounts
  • Ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities

Visa Sponsorship and Safeguarding

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available. Applicants must meet UK immigration and criminal record requirements as outlined by UK Visas and Immigration:
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers an exceptional quality of life, combining beautiful countryside and coastline with easy access to Bristol, Bath, Exeter, and London. Affordable housing, excellent schools, and a supportive professional community make it an ideal place to live and work.

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