Job Summary
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is a Top Employer Award Winner and works in partnership to provide responsive and dependable primary care, mental health, intellectual disability and substance misuse services to the diverse and culturally rich communities we serve.
In our quest to deliver patient-focused quality care we are looking to recruit a highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic Mental Health Practitioner/Care Co-Ordinator to join our forward thinking, friendly and expanding Health & Justice team at HMP Coldingley. By joining our Prisons Health Care Team, you will not only look after the healthcare needs of our patients residing in secure environments, but who also have the opportunity to have a real impact on promoting health and well-being. Our healthcare services work to a 7 day week working model, to ensure our patient’s healthcare is managed and maintained to the highest of standards at all times.
Our motto is “Caring NOT Judging” so by working in partnership with the criminal justice system and other agencies, we provide responsive, dependable and high-quality primary care and mental health services to those who may have offended and those at risk of offending in the communities we serve, to improve their health status and to encourage social inclusion.
Main duties of the job
- To function fully within the Mental Health In-reach Team, assessing and treating patients through their journey in prison.
- To accept referrals and triage patients with the team.
- To undertake Early Days In Custody (EDIC) assessments. To ensure all new arrivals to receive a brief assessment of individual presentation and need, referring patients on to other services (GP, SMS, chaplaincy, psychology etc) and book further assessment if indicated.
- To participant in Care and Separation (Segregation) Unit (CSU) rounds with a GP and primary care nurse.
- To undertake comprehensive assessments alone or with colleagues and feedback to the Multi-disciplinary Team, ensuring that planned care is individual and appropriate to the needs of the patient.
- 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.
- To ensure effective pre-release care planning.
Person Specification
EDUCATION and QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Registered Practitioner (Mental Health Nurse NMC, OT, Social Worker)
- Evidence of professional development since registration
- Mentorship or supervisor qualification
Desirable
- Post registration qualification that enhances clinical work: CBT, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, etc.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE Paid/unpaid relevant to job
Essential
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of care co-ordinating within CPA framework
- Experience of working in community setting
- Experience of mentoring or supervising students
Desirable
- Experience of working in a Prison or forensic environment
ATTITUDES, APTITUDES, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Essential
- Motivated to maintain the highest standards possible in the service.
- Able to accept constructive feedback.
- Able to ask for support where required
- Compassionate & non-judgmental approach
- Flexible
OTHER
Essential
- The post holder must have the ability to understand and implement the equal opportunities policy at a level appropriate to the job
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential
- Expert in engaging with people with mental health problems, assessing their needs, designing and delivering appropriate interventions and evaluating the effectiveness of the process.
- Risk assessment and management skills.
- Excellent IT skills.
- Proven ability to work with patients to increase their level of self-determination and resilience.
- Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks
- Problem solving, stress management & conflict resolution 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
- To use supervision positively and effectively.
- Effective time management
- Knowledge of the needs and rights of patients
Desirable
- Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 28 June 2026
