About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, with an interest in working within the male medium secure pathway, to join the Secure Services medical team.
This is a new post following investment into the medical workforce to support an improved SPA allocation for consultant staff.
The post holder will join a group of 16 consultants (12 WTE) working in the service.
The inpatient medical team also includes 8 ward doctors (SAS and Trust Grade). The service supports a number of core and advanced psychiatry trainee posts.
The post holder will be Responsible Clinician for a caseload of approximately 10 inpatients. They will work across Wellow and Kennet wards with approximately 5 enhanced care patients and 5 continuing care patients. They will also have access to beds on Bradley Brook (Forensic PICU) ward if required.
There assessment and clinical leadership responsibilities associated with this role, as outlined in the Job Description. The service supports consultants to take additional leadership roles in medical education, management, quality improvement and research.
There are lots of opportunities for staff to be involved in service development work within AWP and SWPC.
This includes the service's current cultural quality improvement project "Making Secure a Great Place to".
Interested candidates are encouraged to make contact with the Medical Lead to arrange a meeting and tour of the unit.
Interview Date: 22 October 2026
Main duties of the job
To act as consultant and Responsible Clinician for a caseload of 10 inpatients.
To fulfil the responsibilities associated with this role including those relating to the MHA, MCA, MAPPA and MoJ.
To provide forensic psychiatric and medico-legal expertise into the team. To support the development of multi-disciplinary formulations, assessments and treatment plans for patients on the caseload.
To provide clinical leadership into the team by overseeing clinical decisions, contributing to multi-disciplinary meetings and offering supervision and advice to colleagues.
To attend referral and bed management meetings as appropriate. To undertake access assessments and admission assessments for patients referred into the service.
To provider senior clinical leadership into their link ward. To work closely with the ward manager and to contribute towards the management, governance and development of the ward.
To regularly attend team meetings and reflective practice. To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other teams and external stakeholders.
To work closely with other senior leaders within the medical team and wider service and contribute to quality improvement and service development projects.
To participate in the consultant on-call rota for secure services. To participate in teaching and educational initiatives, and to supervise trainee psychiatrists.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
Please note that Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is not currently a sponsor under the GMC Sponsorship Scheme. As a result, we regret to inform you that we are unable to consider applications from individuals who require GMC sponsorship
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to the accompanying job description for full details on the roles and responsibilities of this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
Desirable
Relevant Higher Degree e.g MD,PHD,Msc or other additional clinical qualifications MRCPsych OR MRCPsych equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Eligibility Essential
Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months of gaining CCT Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment Approved under S12 OR able to achieve with 3 months of appointment
Desirable
CCT in Forensic Psychiatry or CCT in General Adult Psychiatry with significant experience of working in the community
Experience Essential
Experience of assessing and treating patients in a inpatient setting. Knowledge and evidence of participation in CPD Evidence of effective multidisciplinary team involvement
Desirable
Experience of working in forensic psychiatry.
Personal Skills Essential
To possess leadership skills and be able to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. Ability to manage own time, workload and prioritise clinical work Ability to appraise own performance as a Consultant. Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, in order to effectively work with patients, carers and staff. Excellent written and oral communication skills
Desirable
Evidence of specific achievements that demonstrate leadership skills
Clinical Skills Essential
Ability to assess and treat adults of working age with complex mental health and risk issues.
Desirable
Previous experience of working with individuals in secure services.
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of the management skills required to function successfully as a Consultant. Awareness of current issues in mental health service provision, policy and legislation.
Desirable
Knowledge of alternatives to inpatient admission care approaches
Teaching Essential
Commitment to and experience of undergraduate and postgraduate learning and teaching. Understand principles of teaching.
Desirable
Experience as an Educational Supervisor for trainees
Research and Audit Essential
Experience or involvement in a research project and publication. Experience of carrying out an audit project.
Management Essential
Evidence of management/leadership skills training.
Desirable
Previous management experience including that of other junior medical staff
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Address Fromeside Secure Services
Blackberry Hill Hospital
Bristol
BS16 1EG
United Kingdom
Employer's website http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)