The closing date is 28th Sep 2026
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Job summary
Permanent | Full Time (10 PAs) | No On-Call Commitment
We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Consultant Psychiatrist to lead our Forensic Low Secure Service on Ash Ward and work in partnership with our Specialist Community Forensic Service.
Ash Ward has been a member of the Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services since its inception and is part of the South West Provider Collaborative, providing access to shared bed stock, peer networks, forums, and training opportunities.
The ward is co-located with the Specialist Community Forensic Team and benefits from a fully staffed, stable multidisciplinary team, resulting in excellent relational security as demonstrated through regular external Quality Walkthrough Reviews (QWWs).
The post is supported by a shared Specialty Doctor and will include a full-time Core Trainee once a substantive consultant is appointed.
As Consultant Psychiatrist, you will provide clinical leadership, manage a diverse caseload, contribute to service development, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
Flexible working arrangements are available, including opportunities for remote working and the potential for a four-day working week.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established service with strong professional support, outstanding multidisciplinary working, and a commitment to delivering high-quality forensic mental health care.
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Main duties, tasks & skills required
Please see job description for full details of this position and the person specification required to undertake this role.
We encourage and promote flexible timetables which can be agreed through job planning with the Clinical Director/Service Lead. The role includes a minimum of 7.5 Programmed Activities (PAs) for Direct Clinical Care, alongside 1.5 SPA for core professional activities (an additional 1.0 SPA for leadership, service development and other activities is negotiable).
Your job plan will be reviewed within 3 months of appointment and is subject to annual review.
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About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
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Job description
Clinical
Provide consultant leadership to and provision of care for the Ash Ward patient population
Undertake access assessments as part of the South-West Provider Collaborative at HMP
Bristol and Exeter with recommendations for care
Maintain professional registration with the AC/RC responsibilities for patients under the
Mental Health Act.
Collaborate with system partners to ensure patient flow between prison, secure mental health
services and the community
Undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients in a timely and
accurate fashion, including liaison with the Ministry of Justice.
Managerial
Contribute to service development, clinical governance, and strategic planning.
Promote open communication and teamwork across a variety of services and professional
networks.
Participate in annual appraisal for consultants. and job plan review, ensuring the role evolves
with service changes and modernisation.
Follow Trust policies and procedures, contribute to financial management, and support the
medical director and managers in service planning.
Academic:
Participate in teaching, research, and supervision of junior doctors
Be involved in clinical audits, champion quality improvement projects and play a role in
ongoing research.
Attend and participate in the academic programme of the Trust, including a bespoke Mental
Health CPD programme
Career development opportunities:
You will be supported to become an advanced trainer and will be encouraged to teach post
graduates as well as medical students from Bristol and Plymouth universities. You will be
supported in opportunities to develop more formal roles e.g. academic tutor, placement
coordinator, honorary lecturer, appraisal and deanery roles.
You will be encouraged to join our thriving network of clinicians interested in mental health
research. There are opportunities to develop research interests, supervise service
improvements, and support national studies, informally or as local Principal Investigator.
Additional opportunities in medical management exist including formal leadership roles (such
as clinical lead/clinical director), governance roles, incident reviews, service development
and specialist oversight roles.
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Person specification
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Qualifications
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Essential
MBBS or equivalent
MRCPsych
GMC Specialist Register (or within 6 months of CCT)
Approved Clinician / Section 12 approval
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Experience
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Essential
Experience in forensic psychiatry
Evidence of leadership, teaching, and clinical governance involvement
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Additional Criteria
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Essential
Please see job description for full details of essential person specifications required for both position
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Desirable
Postgraduate thesis or research experience
Dual accreditation (for medical applicants)
Publications in peer-reviewed journals
Experience in service development or strategic planning
Valid UK driving licence or access to transport
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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.
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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.
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.
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UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
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For help with your application, contact:
Michelle Butterworth
[email protected]
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Pay scheme
Hospital Medical and Dental
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Band
Consultant
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Salary
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£109725.00 to £145478.00 Yearly
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Contract
Permanent
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Working pattern
Full-Time
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Reference number
184-OL-MED-FAM-2240
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Job locations
Broadway House
Broadway Park
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 5LX
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