About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated & enthusiastic Mental Health or Learning Disability Nurse for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) post with the Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental disorder team (FIND) based at Easby House.
The FIND Team is managed within the Secure Services directorate in Devon Partnership NHS Trust. This role is in the FIND team which is based in the Community Forensic Services (CFS). The CFS is comprised of three teams including the Specialist Community Forensic team (SCFT), FIND and the Forensic Personality Disorder service (FPDs). Since 2021 the CFS have been working to integrate the management of the SCFT, FIND and FPD teams to ensure a single point of entry to the service, centralising triage and gatekeeping functions. This is an exciting opportunity to join our FIND team at one of the country's most respected providers of secure mental health services.
FIND aims to reduce length of stay for secure care patients with a primary diagnosis of Learning Disability (LD), Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and/or Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and reduce the use of out of area or specialist placements in order to support / facilitate the use of South West network beds. This involves the development of a structured approach of direct work with patients (e.g. intervention, specialist assessment, case management) as well as indirect work with staff teams (e.g. consultation, training, supervision).
The scheduledinterview date is 20th July 2026
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be a core member of a multi-disciplinary FIND service, and will be responsible for taking an active role in carrying out the functions of that team; including carrying a case load of varying complexity, with a principle focus on service users who would benefit most from an specialist forensic LD and A intervention. The post holder will provide expert assessment and treatment for people with complex difficulties and their carers. This will include recovery care co-ordination (design and co-ordination of treatment packages that are personalised and evaluated).
The post holder will deliver care management, assessment, care planning, review and evaluation. The liaison with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory agencies is central to this role. The post holder will contribute to the clinical leadership of the team, providing supervision for other members and participating in team and service development, and evaluation.
You will often work under pressure and without direct supervision, so we are looking for someone confident and capable. You will prioritise tasks, and manage your own workload, providing support for your colleagues where required.
Working as part of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, you will make a difference to peoples lives from the moment you start.
We expect all our staff to embrace this way of working, recognising the equal value of everyone involved in service design and delivery.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further information regarding this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Please note on this occasion the post is only open to applicants with a Mental Health / Learning Disability NMC professional registration.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills Essential
An understanding of the Mental Health Act and Mental Health Capacity Act requirements Awareness of community structures and social care management responsibilities Understanding of recovery principles Good working knowledge of health legislation and current practice including CPA, CeTR and risk assessment and management Training and presentation skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Group work skills Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings Ability to assess and develop plans to manage risk. Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance and ethical issues. Skilled in assessing, planning and evaluating profession specific interventions. Demonstrate an ability and awareness to maintain personal and professional boundaries Able to plan creatively to maximise effectiveness of care plans, including complex multi-agency care plans Able to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent self-management skills and ability to set own priorities Ability to take initiative and develop new ideas To support patients with their medication. This may include administration on IM medication as per relevant policies
Additional Criteria Essential
Ability to be mobile across a geographical area To be able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, to think quickly and to deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner
Experience Essential
Established learning disability, autism and acquired brain injury experience Experience of managing an extensive and complex caseload of clients with a range of complex forensic needs Working within a community mental health setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector. Experience of clinical supervision for qualified and/or support staff Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment. Understanding of current issues within secure services, clinical governance issues, practice education and implications for your chosen profession Application of health and safety and risk management policies Awareness of the implications of long-term institutional care Understanding of team dynamics
Qualifications Essential
NMC Professional Registration (Mental Health / Learning Disability) Post graduate qualification relevant to forensic mental health Student supervisor/assessor or Practice Educator accreditation or equivalent Evidence of Post Graduate Courses, on-going training and development in theory and practice in chosen profession.
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 Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Address Easby House
Langdon Hospital
Dawlish
Devon
EX7 0NR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)