KENT PRISONS (Forensic & Prisons Directorate, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust)

MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER (core mental health training)

Since April 2010 Oxleas have provided mental health care to the nine Kent prisons. These new posts are part of an exciting expansion within the Eastern & Coastal Kent prison cluster - the Isle of Sheppey, Canterbury and Dover prisons. The existing multi-disciplinary team provide a range of primary and secondary mental health interventions, as well as an innovative day centre programme at HMP Rochester.

This new service provides an opportunity to develop an integrated team offering more specialist provision, including individual and groupwork as well as an assertive outreach model. We are looking for mental health practitioners with a core mental health background (Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy and Psychology) with demonstrable experience and training in working with complex needs. We are particularly interested in applicants who can bring specialist skills in the areas of Learning Disability, Personality Disorder, Dual Diagnosis and Psychological Therapies.

Potential postholders should be able to demonstrate a capacity for excellent communication skills, creative and flexible working, and a willingness to work in a challenging and multi-agency environment. The posts are based at HMP Elmley and Swaleside, but postholders must be prepared to travel around Kent as required.

There is an opportunity - for those who partially meet the Person Specification - to be appointed to a band 5 developmental post, with a view to progression, on review, after 12 months.

The service forms part of the Forensic & Prisons Directorate - based at the Bracton Centre - in Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. The Bracton is a large medium secure unit providing a range of services to mentally disordered offenders in Kent and South East London. We have an excellent reputation for the delivery of high quality services to mentally ill, personality disordered and challenging behaviour clients.

Interested applicants can contact Fananidzai Hove, Prison and Community Team Manager on 01795 802408 for further information.

Oxleas is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We recognise our responsibility to ensure that safe working systems are in place for staff working with children, adults and families in their care.

Please note that for some occupations we receive a high amount of applications and where this is evident the post will be closed and we will put a limit on the number of applications that we are able to receive.

If you do not hear anything within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume you have not been shortlisted.

Please note all communication will be via e-mail so please can you ensure that you regularly check your e-mails. There is a possibility that if you have set filters on your incoming messages that this message could be delivered to your junk mail. It would be helpful if you could enable your settings so that messages sent are directly received to your inbox.

Unfortunately the Trust will not be responsible for any correspondence which has not been received/read in light of the above.

The Trust is committed to equal opportunities promoting diversity, developing supporting policies and operates a variety of flexible working arrangements.
NHS Jobs - 12 months ago