Forensic Mental Health Nurse – Thames House – Oxford
Oxford
Full Time
£32,073 - £39,043 plus an RSU allowance of £1,466 per annum | pro rata
Expires: 15/04/2026
Band 5
Permanent
About the Role
Job overview
We are recruiting for experienced registered Mental Health Nurses to join our Forensic Services ward at Littlemore Mental Health Centre.
We are looking for candidates with experience working within mental health wards to join our low secure women’s unit Thames House. This is a 26 bedded forensic unit for women with a diagnosis of mental illness and/or personality disorder. Many of our service users have had experience of the criminal justice system in the past. The ward is split into a 10-bedded high dependency unit (Kestrel) and a 16-bedded lower dependency unit (Kingfisher). Read more about our units here.
Thames House is an innovative and dedicated team, where you'll be able to learn psychological models like Attachment Theory, which you will be able to utilise whilst working with some of your patients.
If you think this sounds like a role that would give you the opportunities you are looking for and you have the right skills and values, then we would very much like to hear from you!
We operate a 24/7 service 365 days per year; this role involves working rotating shift patterns including 7-3pm, 1.30pm-9.30pm, 9pm-7.25am and a maximum of one long day within a 4-week period.
This role includes an RSU allowance of £1,446 per annum on top of your salary
Main duties of the job
In addition to delivering nursing care, you'll be actively encouraged to organise patient activities, attend therapy sessions with your patients and escort them on therapeutic leave, supporting them to reintegrate into the community and aid their recovery journey.
Working closely and in a supportive way with your colleagues as a team, you will ensure the needs and care of the patients in your unit is at the forefront of everything you do. There is a strong emphasis on collaboration in our ways of working, as well as bringing an intuitive approach to your decision making.
Main duties include:
- Organise patient activities, attend therapy sessions with your patients and escort them on therapeutic leave, supporting them to reintegrate into the community and aid their recovery journey.
- Engage proactively engagement with clients and their families/carers/significant others to build positive working alliances.
- Assess needs embracing the wishes of the client in the acute patient setting.
- Make a systematic and comprehensive assessment/ re-assessment of client need within the CPA framework to take account of all aspects of the client’s life
- Develop effective risk management plans, and timely review of the risk management plan identifying opportunities for positive risk taking in conjunction with the client, carers/significant others, and the ward team.
- Undertake a Carer’s Assessment and develop Carer’s care plans.
Working for our organisation
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Important: please read before making your application
Please use the supporting statement element of the application form to outline your interest in working in both a mental health and forensics setting. We are looking for candidates who can work as a team, are open to listening and can evidence making decisions with a clear thought process and you should ensure these elements are covered within your statement.
Please also ensure that you answer the following question within your supporting statement:
Why do you want to work at Thames House?
Please note if you are based outside of the UK you will need to be fully qualified, have already passed your OSCE and have an NMC pin number in order to be considered for this role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Current NMC registration
- Qualification in Mental Health Nursing
Desirable criteria
- Qualification in psychosocial interventions
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Fluent in English
- Knowledge of MHA 2007
- Knowledge of NSF, Clinical governance, and latest developments in mental health care
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams within mental health
Desirable criteria
- Experience working within forensic mental health services
Documents to Download
Guidance Notes for Candidates Applying for a job at OHFT (PDF, 424.6KB)
Recruiter Contact Details
Name: Charlotte Ballard
Title: Ward Manager
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01865 902790