Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist - Woodhill

Go back Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist - Woodhill

The closing date is 20 July 2025

10 PAs Substantive Post AAC 06/08/2025 Lead innovation. Inspire change. Shape future care in one of the UK's most complex and fascinating secure settings.

We're looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking Consultant Psychiatrist to lead our experienced mental health team at HMP Woodhill - a high-performing Category B prison with Category A functions and one of the few sites nationally hosting a Close Supervision Centre.

This is an exceptional opportunity to deliver trauma-informed, high-quality psychiatric care to a population with complex forensic and clinical needs.

Why Woodhill?

• Home to a national CSC unit - a unique environment offering some of the most challenging yet rewarding work in forensic psychiatry.
• A prison that's nationally recognised for its innovation, with a skilled and supportive multidisciplinary team.
• Located in Milton Keynes, with strong transport links to London and Oxford

Main duties of the job

• Conduct assessments, including risk assessments, treatment, care planning, and multiagency liaison for individuals with mental health problems in the prisons.
• Undertake Mental Capacity Assessments.
• Contribute to planned emergency interventions.
• Liaise with prisons, courts, statutory and non-statutory agencies concerning all aspects of mental health care management for men with mental health problems in the prisons.
• Collaborate closely with the Manager, Psychologists, and other lead professionals to provide clinical leadership and ensure safe, supportive care.
• Work closely with other medical, clinical, and managerial staff to provide high-quality care pathways.
• Participate in the ACCT (self-harm/suicide prevention) processes when relevant.
• Practice in accordance with NICE and other relevant Guidelines and CNWL Trust policy.
• Maintain accurate record-keeping according to Trust and professional guidelines (data protection legislation and information governance standards).
• Apply the Mental Health Act, including sections 48/49 and 47/49.

About us

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest trusts in the UK, caring for people with a wide range of physical and mental health needs. We have approximately 7,000 staff that provide healthcare to a third of London's population and across wider geographical areas, including Milton Keynes, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. As a Foundation Trust, we involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in our governance and future development. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Foundation Trust, please visit our website. Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken. It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation. We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of our diverse population and actively encourage community involvement.

We offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits including:

• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Sponsorship for international candidates
• Leadership development, study leave, and staff wellbeing and financial benefits
• Relocation allowance up to £8000 (subject to policy)
• Study discounts, interest-free loans for season tickets and parking
• Competitive bank rates

Job responsibilities

Why this role?

• Academic and research opportunities: Strong links with UCL and potential for an honorary academic appointment, especially for research interests in CSC or forensic mental health.
• Clinical innovation: Engage in quality improvement, digital transformation, and AI initiatives in secure healthcare.
• Leadership: Provide senior clinical leadership, service development, and mentorship within a supportive governance framework.
• Flexible pathways: Opportunities to gain experience in court diversion, outreach, or management roles.
• Inclusive and values-led: Work within a trust committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, emphasizing culturally competent, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed care.

Person Specification Previous Experience

• Clinical leadership/management experience
• Track record of service quality improvement
• Experience of job planning
• Experience resolving conflict and managing complex performance issues

Qualifications

• 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 eligibility
• Approved clinician status
• Section 12 MHA approval
• Primary Medical Degree
• CCT in Forensic Psychiatry
• Management and leadership qualification
• Higher degree (MSc, LLM, MD, or PhD)

Clinical Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Excellent clinical skills with a bio-psycho-social approach and broad medical knowledge
• Specialist knowledge relevant to the post
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Ability to manage clinical complexity and conflicts
• Decision-making based on evidence and experience
• Ability to meet duties under MHA and MCA
• Experience within NHS or comparable service, including quality improvement and regulatory standards

Academic Skills & Lifelong Learning

• Participation in continuous professional development
• Ability to appraise clinical evidence
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams
• Participation in clinical audits
• Understanding of equality and diversity issues
• Flexibility and adaptability in working patterns
• Demonstrated energy, enthusiasm, and initiative for innovation and high standards
• IT literacy
• Ability to work under pressure
• Evidence of achievements in education, research, audit, and service improvement

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, requiring disclosure of any criminal convictions.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust