Job summary
Are you someone looking to start a career in one of the UK's most respected mental health trusts?
Would you like to do a job that makes a difference every day?
We are looking for a Senior Practitioner to join the Forensic Personality
Disorder Service (FPDS). The FPDS is an
experienced multidisciplinary team working with people with a diagnosis of
personality disorder and high risk of harm to others.
The
overarching aim of FPDS is to reduce Length of Stay for Secure Care Patients
with a primary or significant co-morbid diagnosis of Personality Disorder. FPDS
provides closer integration between secure in-patient and community personality
disorder treatment by inputting to ward teams to support this patient
group.
The
FPD Service is responsible for gatekeeping assessments of service users with a diagnosis
of personality disorder who are referred for a secure in-patient admission. It
also monitors moves between levels of security and oversees service users who
are placed out of their home area. FPDS provides specialist clinical advice and
recommendations about the most appropriate care pathway and sequencing of
treatment for an individual service user.
We
are looking for a Registered Practitioner to join our team. The post is aimed
at candidates with a significant interest and experience working with
personality disorder along with an active enthusiasm for working in the context
of secure forensic settings.
The Interview date is scheduled for Monday 2nd June 2025 (TBC)
Main duties of the job
As
a Senior Practitioner in FPDS you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary
team who provide psychologically informed support to people with complex needs
who have a diagnosis of personality disorder.
The role involves working directly with service users but also indirectly supporting the teams around the person. You will be able to apply your knowledge and experience of mental health and forensic settings across assessment, formulation and intervention to support service users through their care pathway. The role involves providing systemic support to teams including consultation, reflective practice, supervision, teaching and training.
You will be enthusiastic, forward thinking and emotionally resilient with a commitment to supporting people with complex mental health needs. You will be provided with opportunities for training, joint working and supervision.
We are looking for someone with good time management and organisational skills who works well autonomously and as part of a team. The role involves good communication, so we expect you to have excellent verbal and written skills.
The post holder will work closely with colleagues in the wider Community Forensic Services and Secure Directorate.
The post involves visiting a number of sites and services within the region and nationally and so a certain amount of travel is involved.
If you would like to learn more about the post please contact Dr Jane Byrne (Principal Clinical Psychologist) - 07850 517986 / janebyrne1@nhs.net.
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
Please
refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this
advert.
Communication and Working Relationship Skills:
- Work collaboratively and offer advice to a variety of statutory and non-statutory agencies to support and facilitate care pathways for individuals under FPDS.
- Relay complex, sensitive information to people with a diagnosis of personality disorder and their carers with empathy and in a way that they can understand.
- Represent your professional discipline or FPDS at relevant meetings as required.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills within the team as well as within partner agencies, communicating complex and sensitive information.
- Build and maintain local, regional and national links and networks to promote the advancement of specialist clinical practice.
- Keep up to date and accurate written and electronic records according to Trust police.
- Provide professional advice and consultancy to the multidisciplinary team members, carers and other services.
- Work with senior leadership of Devon Partnership NHS Trust to promote consistent service delivery and development.
Analytical and Judgement Skills:
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others perfomance
- Complete detailed complex assessments and make clinical decisions regarding risk and treatment.
- Ensure the continuous re-evaluation of individuals' needs and clinical risk situations and use clinical judgement to formulate the most appropriate clinical plan.
Planning and Organisational Skills:
- Plan, prioritise and organise own workload as well as the team workload, monitoring and adjusting activities and programmes as necessary. This includes timely completion of reports and checking / amending of minutes.
- Participate in the planning, leading and organisation of service development projects.
- Ensure representation of your professional discipline at a strategic level in Devon Partnership NHS Trust, as appropriate and agreed with Line Manager.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy:
- Assess. develop, implement, monitor and evaluate specialist therapeutic interventions as part of an overall care plan.
- Apply specialist knowledge and skills to meet the needs of those with challenging behaviour and complex needs.
- Contribute to / lead relevant service user planning and review meetings.
- Ensure interventions are implemented within the boundaries of best practice in risk management.
- Ensure all treatment records are completed according to Trust policy and partnership protocols.
- To be responsible for, both individually and within the team, the development, delivery and review of comprehensive and complex treatment programmes and/or care pathway plans using appropriate frameworks in line with evidence-based practice, including strategies to manage risk.
- To be responsible for the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring the appropriate sharing of information.
- Practice according to the standards set out by your professionals governing body - e.g. the Health and Care Professions' Council (HCPC), Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC).
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation:
-
Contribute to
service improvement and development in the Forensic Personality Disorder Service, extending knowledge and skills of own
practice.
-
Ensure own
continuing professional development relevant to the post. Ensure that any professional development is
recorded according to professional and local protocols.
-
Contribute to
research and audit activity as a means of advancing practice knowledge.
-
Contribute
to the planning, organisation and leadership of professional networks and
interest groups where applicable.
-
Work
cooperatively with other professionals to ensure coordinated and consistent
practice across the service.
-
Keep
up to date on relevant government and local policy and guidance in relation to
best practice for personality disorder and forensic services.
Responsibility for Human Resources:
-
Participate in
supervision of own practice completing any agreed actions.
- Provide
supervision and support to designated staff.
-
Act as a
fieldwork supervisor / mentor, planning, overseeing and assessing students.
-
Ensure
efficient and effective management of time and resources.
-
Participate in
training of self and others as relevant to post.
Any Other Specific Tasks Required:
Working with service-users with extremely challenging and
risky behaviour who have typically been excluded from other services and who
are difficult to engage. An emotionally
demanding job that requires excellent personal and professional boundaries and
a high level of reflective capacity. To
engage in sometimes intensive interventions with service-users who may present
significant risks to themselves and/or others.
To engage with high levels of expressed emotions in professional groups
working day-to-day with a challenging group of service-users.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please
refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this
advert.
Communication and Working Relationship Skills:
- Work collaboratively and offer advice to a variety of statutory and non-statutory agencies to support and facilitate care pathways for individuals under FPDS.
- Relay complex, sensitive information to people with a diagnosis of personality disorder and their carers with empathy and in a way that they can understand.
- Represent your professional discipline or FPDS at relevant meetings as required.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills within the team as well as within partner agencies, communicating complex and sensitive information.
- Build and maintain local, regional and national links and networks to promote the advancement of specialist clinical practice.
- Keep up to date and accurate written and electronic records according to Trust police.
- Provide professional advice and consultancy to the multidisciplinary team members, carers and other services.
- Work with senior leadership of Devon Partnership NHS Trust to promote consistent service delivery and development.
Analytical and Judgement Skills:
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others perfomance
- Complete detailed complex assessments and make clinical decisions regarding risk and treatment.
- Ensure the continuous re-evaluation of individuals' needs and clinical risk situations and use clinical judgement to formulate the most appropriate clinical plan.
Planning and Organisational Skills:
- Plan, prioritise and organise own workload as well as the team workload, monitoring and adjusting activities and programmes as necessary. This includes timely completion of reports and checking / amending of minutes.
- Participate in the planning, leading and organisation of service development projects.
- Ensure representation of your professional discipline at a strategic level in Devon Partnership NHS Trust, as appropriate and agreed with Line Manager.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy:
- Assess. develop, implement, monitor and evaluate specialist therapeutic interventions as part of an overall care plan.
- Apply specialist knowledge and skills to meet the needs of those with challenging behaviour and complex needs.
- Contribute to / lead relevant service user planning and review meetings.
- Ensure interventions are implemented within the boundaries of best practice in risk management.
- Ensure all treatment records are completed according to Trust policy and partnership protocols.
- To be responsible for, both individually and within the team, the development, delivery and review of comprehensive and complex treatment programmes and/or care pathway plans using appropriate frameworks in line with evidence-based practice, including strategies to manage risk.
- To be responsible for the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring the appropriate sharing of information.
- Practice according to the standards set out by your professionals governing body - e.g. the Health and Care Professions' Council (HCPC), Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC).
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation:
-
Contribute to
service improvement and development in the Forensic Personality Disorder Service, extending knowledge and skills of own
practice.
-
Ensure own
continuing professional development relevant to the post. Ensure that any professional development is
recorded according to professional and local protocols.
-
Contribute to
research and audit activity as a means of advancing practice knowledge.
-
Contribute
to the planning, organisation and leadership of professional networks and
interest groups where applicable.
-
Work
cooperatively with other professionals to ensure coordinated and consistent
practice across the service.
-
Keep
up to date on relevant government and local policy and guidance in relation to
best practice for personality disorder and forensic services.
Responsibility for Human Resources:
-
Participate in
supervision of own practice completing any agreed actions.
- Provide
supervision and support to designated staff.
-
Act as a
fieldwork supervisor / mentor, planning, overseeing and assessing students.
-
Ensure
efficient and effective management of time and resources.
-
Participate in
training of self and others as relevant to post.
Any Other Specific Tasks Required:
Working with service-users with extremely challenging and
risky behaviour who have typically been excluded from other services and who
are difficult to engage. An emotionally
demanding job that requires excellent personal and professional boundaries and
a high level of reflective capacity. To
engage in sometimes intensive interventions with service-users who may present
significant risks to themselves and/or others.
To engage with high levels of expressed emotions in professional groups
working day-to-day with a challenging group of service-users.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Occupational Therapist, Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Social Worker or Psychology professional qualification (e.g. Clinical/Forensic Psychologist, Psychotherapist)
- Current relevant registration with professional governing body (e.g. NMC or HCPC)
- Evidence of continued training and development in the theory and practice of own professional area
- Training in Violence Risk Assessment (e.g. HCR-20)
Desirable
- Further Postgraduate training in a relevant field
- Further training in a therapeutic model (e.g. CAT, DBT, MBT)
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience in a relevant field
- Experience of working with people with personality disorder
- Experience in managing a diverse workload
- Experience of providing supervision
- Experience of completing thorough assessment and risk assessment of individuals with complex needs
- Experience of delivering psychologically informed interventions using models such as DBT, CAT or MBT
- Working in collaboration with other agencies and professionals in planning and implementing care programmes
- Experience of delivering teaching sessions / training to other professionals
Desirable
- Previous forensic experience
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to colleagues at independent practitioner level
- Experience facilitating / delivering reflective practice sessions for health professionals
Knowledge
Essential
- Clear understanding of the role of own profession within a multidisciplinary team
- Good understanding of forensic mental health issues
- Knowledge of theories and methods of practice specific to people with a diagnosis of personality disorder
- Sound knowledge and application of own professional models and practice (e.g. nursing, OT, psychology)
- An understanding of government policy / strategies with regard to services for people with personality disorder
- Good understanding of safeguarding adults and children
- Good understanding of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and the CPA process
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to build effective working relationships in stressful and demanding situations
- High level communication skills both written and verbal
- High level of IT skills
- High standard of literacy and numeracy
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others performance
- Good problem solving skills
- Ability to work autonomously, seeking guidance as necessary
- Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise when working under pressure
- Appropriate level of physical fitness required to work within a range of forensic settings
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Occupational Therapist, Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Social Worker or Psychology professional qualification (e.g. Clinical/Forensic Psychologist, Psychotherapist)
- Current relevant registration with professional governing body (e.g. NMC or HCPC)
- Evidence of continued training and development in the theory and practice of own professional area
- Training in Violence Risk Assessment (e.g. HCR-20)
Desirable
- Further Postgraduate training in a relevant field
- Further training in a therapeutic model (e.g. CAT, DBT, MBT)
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience in a relevant field
- Experience of working with people with personality disorder
- Experience in managing a diverse workload
- Experience of providing supervision
- Experience of completing thorough assessment and risk assessment of individuals with complex needs
- Experience of delivering psychologically informed interventions using models such as DBT, CAT or MBT
- Working in collaboration with other agencies and professionals in planning and implementing care programmes
- Experience of delivering teaching sessions / training to other professionals
Desirable
- Previous forensic experience
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to colleagues at independent practitioner level
- Experience facilitating / delivering reflective practice sessions for health professionals
Knowledge
Essential
- Clear understanding of the role of own profession within a multidisciplinary team
- Good understanding of forensic mental health issues
- Knowledge of theories and methods of practice specific to people with a diagnosis of personality disorder
- Sound knowledge and application of own professional models and practice (e.g. nursing, OT, psychology)
- An understanding of government policy / strategies with regard to services for people with personality disorder
- Good understanding of safeguarding adults and children
- Good understanding of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and the CPA process
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to build effective working relationships in stressful and demanding situations
- High level communication skills both written and verbal
- High level of IT skills
- High standard of literacy and numeracy
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own and others performance
- Good problem solving skills
- Ability to work autonomously, seeking guidance as necessary
- Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise when working under pressure
- Appropriate level of physical fitness required to work within a range of forensic settings
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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
Forensic Personality Disorder Service
Easby House, Langdon Hospital Site
Dawlish
Devon
EX7 0NR
Employer's website
https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
