Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Consultant Psychiatrist for Learning Disability, Inpatient Services

The closing date is 30 November 2025

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist to join our Learning Disability inpatient team on Campion Ward at Prospect Park Hospital, Reading. This full-time role (11 PAs) includes 1 PA for the post holder to pursue a clinical special interest session that contributes towards the priorities of the service. The post offers no on-call commitment, flexible and hybrid working and opportunity to shape the future of Learning Disability services with an experienced compassionate and forward-thinking team.

You'll work within a skilled and dedicated multidisciplinary team providing assessment and treatment for adults with learning disabilities and complex mental health or behavioural needs.

You'll find a supportive, well-connected peer network with excellent local knowledge and strong clinical experience within the team.

Our well managed Trust is rated Outstanding by the CQC, who note staff feel valued, supported and encouraged to develop their interests. You'll benefit from an active Quality Improvement culture, strong links with Reading University, and the opportunity to contribute to research, leadership and service redesign.

Key responsibilities:

Provide medical leadership and high-quality inpatient care

Collaborate closely with nursing, psychology and therapy colleagues

Supervise medical staff and contribute to service development

Participate in our thriving academic, CPD and research programmes

You'll be based at Prospect Park Hospital, with dedicated office space, full administrative support, and access to a rich academic and peer network.

Main duties of the job

As Consultant Psychiatrist, you will:

Hold consultant responsibility for diagnosis, management and treatment of allocated inpatients.

Provide medical leadership to the inpatient service, working closely with the Ward Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist and wider multidisciplinary team.

Supervise and support other medical staff, ensuring high standards of care and effective teamwork.

Act as Responsible Clinician (RC) under the Mental Health Act for allocated patients.

Arrange cross cover with other Consultants in the Learning Disability Service, as agreed with the Associate Director and Medical Lead.

Contribute to clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and CPD activities.

Participate in the Community Mental Health Framework and support the transition of patients between inpatient and community settings.

Maintain clear communication with families, carers, GPs, social care, and partner agencies.

Ensure accurate documentation, risk assessment and capacity evaluations in line with Trust and CQC standards.

Lead the team in maintaining AIMS accreditation and compliance with CQC requirements.

Provide expert liaison, reports and evidence for external bodies such as the Court of Protection, Home Office, and safeguarding authorities when required.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust isa specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

o Caring for and about you is our top priority

o Committed to providing good quality, safe services

o Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

Flexible working options to support work-life balance.

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning and career development opportunities

'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles

Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants

Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality

Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.

Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

15 October 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-D696C

Job locations

Prospect Park Hospital

Honey End Lane

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to contact: Colin Archer on colin.archer@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to contact: Colin Archer on colin.archer@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Has worked in a senior non-consultant level post in acute adult psychiatry, within an inpatient and/or community setting
  • 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
  • Development of services within inpatient settings
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Has worked in a senior non-consultant level post in acute adult psychiatry, within an inpatient and/or community setting
  • 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
  • Development of services within inpatient 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.

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).

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Prospect Park Hospital

Honey End Lane

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Prospect Park Hospital

Honey End Lane

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director of LD Disability Services

Colin Archer

Colin.Archer@berkshire.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

15 October 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-D696C

Job locations

Prospect Park Hospital

Honey End Lane

Reading

RG30 4EJ


Supporting documents

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