Acting Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

Job responsibilities

Management

As part of the Forensic Service leadership, the post holder will work collaboratively with consultant colleagues to ensure the smooth and effective running of the service. This will involve active engagement with the management structures within both the Division and the wider Trust, fostering a supportive and well-coordinated clinical environment.

Supervision

For those interested and suitably approved, there is the exciting opportunity to supervise psychiatric trainees. The Thames Valley Higher Forensic Training Scheme offers six national training numbers, including a dual Forensic and CAMHS post. The current Forensic Training Programme Director, Dr. Hasanen Al Taiar, along with the Director of Medical Education, Dr. Alastair Reid, provide excellent leadership and support for trainee development within the scheme.

Education and Training

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is a proud teaching Trust with strong, close ties to Oxford University. The Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, based at the Warneford Hospital, is internationally renowned for its medical teaching and cutting-edge research. More information can be found on their [website](https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/).

The post holder will be encouraged to actively engage in training programmes and teaching sessions. There are also opportunities to contribute to wider training events within the Division. Medical students frequently visit HMP Bullingdon, and the Consultant may play a vital role in educating and supporting multi-disciplinary staff development.

Continuing Professional Development, Mentorship, and Induction

Ongoing professional development is essential, and the Trust fully supports consultants in maintaining their Royal College CPD requirements, including access to study leave and funding for conferences. The post holder will participate in Trust consultant meetings, audits, and academic events, maintaining continuous professional growth through membership of a Personal Development Plan (PDP) group and annual appraisal.

New consultants benefit from a structured induction programme and are supported through mentorship, with suitable mentors nominated to guide and support them.

Forensic psychiatry consultants hold monthly peer supervision sessions on Wednesdays and quarterly reviews of PDPsan excellent forum for professional support and collaboration, which the successful applicant will be invited to join.

Additionally, the Forensic Psychiatry Academic Programme runs on Wednesday afternoons during Oxford University term time, featuring visiting speakers and rich academic content. The post holder is expected to contribute actively here, as well as participate in the broad programme hosted by the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital on Tuesday mornings.

Research and Audit

The post holder will contribute to service-related audit projects, working alongside the multidisciplinary team and Trust audit department to continually improve care quality.

The Thames Valley Forensic Mental Health Service (TVFMHS) is committed to expanding academic forensic mental health in partnership with Oxford University. This role offers exciting opportunities to collaborate on research projects with the forensic psychiatry department at the Warneford Hospital, under the leadership of Professor Seena Fazel.

Mental Health Act Assessments

The Consultant will be expected to obtain Section 12(2) approval under the Mental Health Act. The Trust provides full support for acquiring Section 12 approval and Approved Clinician status if required.

Job Planning

The post holder will engage in annual job planning with the Forensic Associate Medical Director, ensuring the role is tailored collaboratively to reflect clinical and professional interests. Any changes to the job plan will be negotiated bilaterally. Annual appraisal will be conducted as part of the Trusts appraisal process, supporting readiness for revalidation.

The exact timetable will be agreed upon with the Clinical Lead, with an expected ratio of 7.5 sessions of direct clinical care to 2.5 sessions dedicated to Supporting Professional Activities (SPA) on a pro-rata basis. SPA time may include special interest clinical work, CPD, peer group activities, teaching, supervision, governance, audit, service development, management, business planning, research, and academic involvement.

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• Full medical degree and registration or eligibility for registration with the GMC.
• Eligible for Section 12 Approval.
• Ability to fulfil the role of an acting consultant forensic psychiatrist.

Desirable

• Membership or Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, or equivalent qualification (in accordance with Royal College of Psychiatrists' Guidelines).
• CCT in Forensic Psychiatry OR within six months of achieving CCT at the time of interview. AND / OR previous consultant experience.
• Section 12 (Mental Health Act 1983) Approval.
• Sub-speciality or other specialist clinical training relevant to post.
• Eligibility for inclusion on the Specialist Register of Forensic Psychiatry.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in forensic psychiatry.
• Experience of working with patients with complex needs in secure settings.
• Ability to undertake full range of consultant responsibilities.

Desirable

• Application of evidence-based practice and interest in clinical and policy developments for this care group.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to work within a collaborative multidisciplinary framework, and to share leadership responsibilities with senior colleagues of other professions.
• Commitment to multi-agency partnership.
• Must have an interest in and commitment to forensic psychiatry.

Desirable

• Relevant experience of administrative and management role of senior medical staff.
• Undergraduate and postgraduate medical teaching.

GMC Registration

Essential

• Full GMC Registration.
• Meet specifications set out in the GMC Guidance: Duties of a Doctor.

Desirable

• Specialist Register of forensic psychiatry.

Transport

Essential

• Mobility to meet the needs of the post.

Desirable

• Valid driving licence.
• Own vehicle.

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).