Prison Mental Health Nurse – Development Post(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Step into a career that develops your specialist mental health skills

This is an exciting development opportunity for a Registered Nurse (Band 5) with at least 12 months post-qualification experience and completed preceptorship. The role is designed to support your progression into a Band 6 position once you meet the required competencies within Health & Justice services.
Working within a prison setting, you will provide vital mental health care to individuals with complex needs, helping to deliver structured, recovery-focused support in a secure environment.

About the role

At HMP Millsike, you will be part of a multidisciplinary team delivering mental health services within a stepped care model. Your work will involve both planned and urgent care, supporting individuals throughout their care journey.
You will be responsible for assessing patients referred into mental health services, developing care plans, and supporting ongoing treatment in collaboration with other professionals.
This is a highly rewarding role that allows you to build advanced clinical and forensic mental health skills in a structured, supportive environment.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Carry out comprehensive mental health assessments
• Manage a defined caseload of service users
• Develop and implement personalised care plans
• Provide evidence-based interventions and therapeutic support
• Communicate treatment options clearly with patients and colleagues
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies
• Support both urgent and planned mental health interventions
• Contribute to safe, coordinated discharge and care planning

Working environment

HMP Millsike is a modern prison with a capacity of around 1,500 individuals, focusing on rehabilitation, education, and reducing reoffending. Mental health services are delivered in partnership with Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, supporting a structured and recovery-focused approach to care.
You will work in a fast-paced but highly supported environment, alongside experienced clinicians and partner organisations.

Who we are looking for

This role is ideal for a nurse who is:

• Registered with the NMC (UK professional registration required)
• Experienced in working with individuals with mental health needs
• Confident working both independently and within a team
• Able to manage time, workload, and clinical priorities effectively
• Comfortable working in a challenging but structured environment

Desirable experience includes:

• Forensic or prison healthcare settings
• Community or inpatient mental health services
• Working with multidisciplinary teams and partner agencies
• Supporting patients and families in complex care situations

Skills and competencies

You will be expected to demonstrate:

• Strong communication skills for sensitive and complex situations
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Competence in care coordination and caseload management
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills
• Willingness to undertake training and clinical supervision roles
• Ability to support teaching and mentoring where appropriate
• Use of approved safety and breakaway techniques (training provided)

Career development

This is a structured development post with a clear pathway to Band 6, supported by:

• Comprehensive induction programme
• Ongoing clinical supervision
• Access to training and professional development opportunities
• Competency-based progression framework

What you’ll receive

 Work-life balance

• NHS annual leave entitlement
• Flexible and supportive working arrangements where possible

 Financial security

• NHS Pension Scheme
• Agenda for Change Band 5–6 progression opportunity

 Professional growth

• Continuous professional development support
• Structured training pathways within forensic mental health

 Additional support

• Access to supervision and multidisciplinary learning
• Opportunities to work with specialist partner services

Important information

Background checks

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check due to working within a secure prison environment.
UK registration
Applicants must hold current UK professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Visa sponsorship

Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available and applications from international candidates are welcomed.

If you are applying from outside the UK or need guidance on requirements.

https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Final thoughts

This is a unique opportunity to build specialist experience in forensic and prison mental health nursing while progressing your career within a structured NHS development pathway. You’ll be supported to grow your confidence, expand your skills, and make a meaningful difference in a highly impactful setting.