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 Assistant Practitioner to join our forward thinking, friendly and expanding Health & Justice team at HMP Feltham B.
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 can 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 always managed and maintained to the highest of standards.
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.
Person Specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Either minimum NVQ level 3 supplemented by additional training equivalent to diploma level or ability to demonstrate significant relevant prior experience and on the job training working in a therapeutic environment equivalent to diploma level
- Holds an active NMC Nursing associate Pin Number
Desirable
- Honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, or other subject relevant to professional discipline.
- Training in delivering brief therapeutic interventions
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, Occupational therapy, speech, language & communication therapy or mental health practice
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health difficulty
- Demonstrates high standards in written communication
- Able to write clear reports and letters
- An ability to empathise with people with Mental Health Problems and treat them with dignity and respect
- Ability to work on own and use initiative
- Able to manage time effectively
- Ability to develop working relationships with both staff and clients
Desirable
- Experience of working in primary care services
- Experience of working in secondary care services
- Experience of working in a secure/prison environment
- Experience of managing own caseload and time
- Some knowledge of psychotherapeutic approaches and issues for working with people with mental health problems in prison
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential
- Excellent IT skills, verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
- To be able to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times
- To be able to provide and receive complex sensitive or contentious information in a potentially highly emotive atmosphere. To be able to work with resistance to ideas
Desirable
- Received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
- Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding ‘being in prison’ and the impact it can have on mental and physical health
- Knowledge of trauma informed care and how it relates to people in prison
- Knowledge of CPA, Mental Health Act, MAPPA, legislation and policies relevant to prison mental health.
- Knowledge of the New Model of Care in prison settings
Attitudes, aptitudes personal characteristics
Essential
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
- Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Ability to work under pressure
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
- Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
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
