Prison Mental Health Clinical Lead

Job summary
Are you a mental health nurse, LD nurse, social worker or occupational therapist with experience working in mental health? Have you thought about working within prison mental health services?

We have an exciting opportunity for registered professional to experience working at HMP Full Sutton, a high secure, long term category A, men's prison. Located in the village of Full Sutton near York.

Prison environments are one of the most challenging yet rewarding places for healthcare professionals to work. If you're looking for a role where you can develop your existing Clinical skills and learn something new every day in an environment that never stands still, then this could be the opportunity for you.

This is an excellent opportunity for a registered professional who has experience working within mental health services to join a team where you will get to develop a full range of psychiatric skills and interventions whilst delivering community based urgent and planned care to the prison population.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Apply through our website.

Main duties of the job
You will be a Registered Mental Health / LD Nurse / Social worker / Occupational Therapist. The team is multi-disciplinary, and the successful candidate will work collectively with senior clinical staff to provide a comprehensive mental health service, navigating the challenges of a prison environment.

To deliver clinical assessment and intervention as dedicated provision for complex patients whilst supporting a whole prison approach. You will carry out comprehensive assessments, confidently communicating treatment options and initiating supportive care plans, and providing evidence-based interventions alongside the wider multi-disciplinary team.

You will be committed to a person-centred approach to your work and will have an ability to prioritise and work flexibly. We are looking for skilled professionals who will thrive working in a busy environment in a well-resourced team of multidisciplinary professionals, as well as alongside partner providers from a variety of internal and external services.

Additionally, to the competency framework, we offer a comprehensive induction and workforce development plan with a vast array of personal, professional and academic training opportunities enabling you to expand your skill set and evidence-based practice.

About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.

From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care, our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.

We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.

We're committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.

We won't rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.

Details
Date posted: 21 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 346-FMH-111-26-A
Closing date: 28 October 2026

Job responsibilities

• Nursing candidates must have 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework at the time of applying.
• We require the post holders to be committed to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practices and reflect the trust values.
• We would welcome candidates to contact us to arrange a visit to the prison or an informal discussion.
• Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
• This role is subject to Prison Vetting and the successful candidate must pass this before commencing employment. This includes a thorough review of personal information, including a criminal record check (both spent and unspent), a review of financial standing, and social media checks. Please note that vetting checks may also extend to family members and associates. You must also have resided in the UK for 3 years at the point of application. This will be considered as part of the shortlisting criteria and your application may be rejected if you do not meet this criteria.
• This job advert may close early if a high volume of applications have been received. If interested, please apply for this post as soon as possible.

Person Specification
Qualification
Essential

• RNMH/RNLD or registered practitioner, current professional registration with NMC or relevant professional body
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• MIP, FLIP, ENB 998 Teaching & Assessing in Clinical Practice or City & Guilds 730 Teaching in Adult Education (within agreed timescales)
• Clinical Supervisor (within agreed timescales).
• 18 months post qualifying experience including sign off of appropriate preceptorship or competency framework (at point of application)
• Recognised sign-off mentor or must be achieved within agreed timescale.
• Qualified practitioner in e.g. CBT, DBT, PSI, dual diagnosis etc. (within agreed timescale).
• Non-medical Prescriber (within agreed timescale.)
• Key skills in literacy, numeracy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
• Resident of the UK for at least 3 years

Desirable

• Leadership or management qualification
• Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience working with people with mental ill health in a community setting.
• A good understanding of the Offender Health pathway.
• Working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers.
• Working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Quality improvement activities

Desirable

• Leadership or management experience
• Experience in a secure environment
• Experience of providing clinical supervision
• Experience of mentoring students on practice placement.

Skills
Essential

• Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to patients, carers/families and all members of the multidisciplinary team
• Provide leadership and monitor, co-ordinate and prioritise the activities of a team.
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co-ordinator responsibilities
• Provide effective clinical supervision, teaching, training and assessing in clinical practice
• Write reports
• Use multimedia materials for presentations in professional settings
• Use approved breakaway techniques

Desirable

• Competency in venepuncture and ECGs

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.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Address: HMP Full Sutton, Moor Lane, York, YO41 1PS, United Kingdom
Employer's website:

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Team Manager Patrick Appleby-Reid, View email address on meeveem.com

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice.