Mental Health Practitioner (Forensic)
The closing date is 10 May 2026
To provide specialist community mental health practitioner input to the Community Forensic Team in Hertfordshire. This will include the provision of specialist knowledge regarding the management of complex cases.
Work in close liaison with the Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists and other members of the multi‑disciplinary team to coordinate the input of the team and to act as a key professional in the full assessment of individual care needs and to plan, implement and review appropriate care and risk management.
The Community Forensic Team (CFT) provides enhanced risk assessment and specialist treatment to people with mental disorder in the community who pose or could pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to others. Most, but not all, individuals registered with the CFT have been convicted of serious violent offending. Treatment is geared towards the safe management of risk and recovery of the individual.
Main duties of the job
- Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments (MSE, risk, formulation).
- Identify and escalateme risks related to self‑harm, suicide, violence, vulnerability, absconding and safeguarding.
- Contribute to risk management plans and ensure they are followed in practice.
- Develop person‑centred care plans with clear goals, interventions and measurable outcomes.
- Deliver evidence‑based therapeutic interventions (CBT‑informed, DBT‑informed, psycho‑education, grounding, de‑escalation).
- Support medication adherence and monitor side effects within scope of practice.
- Advocate for patient needs and ensure their voice is reflected in care planning.
- Liaise with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and external agencies.
- Maintain accurate, timely and defensible clinical records.
- Ensure all interventions, risks and decisions are documented.
- Adhere to NMC standards, safeguarding policies and legal frameworks (e.g. MHA, MCA).
- Make clinical decisions regarding safety, including early departure decisions based on risk, acuity and task completion.
- Coordinate handovers, ensuring clarity, accountability and risk communication.
- Ensure completion of essential tasks: observations, medications, documentation, property, incident reporting.
Job responsibilities
- Provide specialist mental health practitioner assessment and care planning within the CFT.
- Take a lead role in the care planning process and work within the Care Programme Approach ensuring adherence to CFT and Trust policies.
- Lead and work with individuals who have more complex and challenging needs across the caseload.
- Develop practice within the teams in the assessment of health and wellbeing needs.
- Act as a central link in the ongoing management of complex cases for the team.
- Provide specialist knowledge and advice to other agencies for the purposes of public protection, including through MAPPA processes.
- Provide written reports in respect of Mental Health Tribunals as required.
- Act as a Social Supervisor for those who remain subject to mental health act restrictions whilst living out of hospital.
- Participate in the evaluation of the care of individuals at review meetings, case conferences, ward rounds etc.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings, providing specialist professional advice and support to staff regarding the management of individual service users and their programmes of care.
- Where professionally appropriate, be responsible for the safe transport and administration of medicines in accordance with Trust policy, legal requirements and NMC guidance, including intramuscular injections.
- Provide specialist clinical advice across the Trust as required.
- liaise with community services; statutory and non‑statutory and inpatient services.
Person Specification – Qualifications / Education / Training
- Current professional registration with an approved professional body.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Training relevant to practice.
- Post‑Graduate Diploma.
- Specific training in family work or other psychological approaches.
Previous Experience
- Significant experience of working with service users with acute psychiatric disorders and complex mental health needs.
- Experience of managing a caseload.
- Experience of supervising staff and providing mentorship.
- Experience of working with service users with forensic histories.
- Experience of working with service users diagnosed with learning disability and/or neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Experience of working in assertive outreach, crisis or home treatment services.
- Lived experience of mental health challenges.
Skills / Ability
- Ability to undertake assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment plans.
- Ability to prioritise work demands and be flexible.
- Proven skills in undertaking risk assessments and management plans.
- Effective communication skills both verbally and written, including IT literacy.
- Understanding and commitment to the principles of recovery and social inclusion.
- Understanding of the role of health promotion and education with the client group.
- Ability to advocate for the service users you are supporting.
- Ability to supervise and provide teaching and training to other staff.
- In‑depth knowledge of a particular therapeutic intervention such as CBT, DBT, family work.
- Experience in group work.
Knowledge
- Thorough understanding of care planning and the Care Programme Approach.
- Knowledge of physical healthcare needs.
- Commitment to and understanding of evidence‑based practice.
- Knowledge of relevant NICE guidance.
- Understanding of the legislation relating to mental health care, including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Act, Care Act, Children’s Act, Equality Act 2010.
- Awareness of safeguarding issues and responsibilities under relevant legislation.
- Knowledge of the role of the Ministry of Justice and other criminal justice agencies.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Salary
£41,957 to £50,387 a year pro rata (inclusive of 5% HCAS)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full‑time, Part‑time
Reference number
367‑LD&F‑101226
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