About this role
Job summary
An exciting new opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Specialist Prison Inreach Practitionerto join our team on Westgate unit based in HMP Frankland.
The Westgate team is part of the Offender Personality Disorder national strategy. The Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway programme is a jointly commissioned initiative that aims to provide a pathway of psychologically informed services for a highly complex and challenging offender group who are likely to have a severe personality disorder and who pose a high risk of harm to others, or a high risk of reoffending in a harmful way.
Westgate is situated within HMP Frankland and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear foundation Trust are contracted by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Trust to provide care and treatment for the residents of Westgate.
The successful candidate may have desirable experience of working with a complex service user group and will have demonstrable experience of effective working with wider agencies and effective delivery of identified interventions.
The Westgate Multi-Disciplinary Team are diverse and very much integrated within the prison environment. The successful candidates will be provided with a thorough induction programme and developmental opportunities to enhance their skillset.
Main duties of the job
The Westgate team is part of the Offender Personality Disorder national strategy. The Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) pathway programme is a jointly commissioned initiative that aims to provide a pathway of psychologically informed services for a highly complex and challenging offender group who are likely to have a severe personality disorder and who pose a high risk of harm to others, or a high risk of reoffending in a harmful way.
The post holder will be required to carry out thorough assessments of risk and need as well as deliver evidence based therapeutic interventions to a case load of complex and high risk patients who present with co-existing personality disorder and mental health needs. They will be required to develop effective working relationships with the wider multi-disciplinary team on the Westgate and in the establishment.
There is a strong community on the unit between staff and service users and the post holder will be required to attend and offer valued input into community meetings and events. They will be required to share any relevant information with colleagues whilst ensuring they follow confidentiality guidance.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 9th June 2026
Closing date : 23rd June 2026
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification Essential
Professional Nursing qualification RMN/RMNH and evidence of active ongoing CPD
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Significant post registration experience. Proven track record of effective working relationships. Evidence of up to date knowledge base. Detailed working knowledge of up to date clinical practice in Working Age Adults. To apply up to date evidence based nursing practice. To adapt to working within prison environment. To effectively use resources within a secure setting.
Desirable
Experience of prison and/or secure environment. Experience within a community mental health setting. Knowledge of prison healthcare systems. Knowledge of primary/secondary care mental health services.
Skills and Competencies Essential
Communication skills, verbal, written presentation Interpersonal skills Clinical skills appropriate to direct therapeutic patient contact Decision Making Ability to work independently and use initiative Able to work within a challenging setting
Desirable
Qualification in cognitive behaviour therapy And/or Qualification in Psychosocial interventions.
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.
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 Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
Address Westgate Mental Health Team
HMP Frankland, Brasside, Durham
Durham
DH1 5YD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)