Oxford Health NHS Trust

Forensic Mental Health Nurse – Thames House – Oxford

The closing date is 15 April 2026

Job summary

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 unitshere.

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.

About us

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:

o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year plus an RSU allowance of £1,466 per annum | pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-FS7889314

Job locations

Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Job description

Job 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.

Job description

Job 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

  • Current NMC registration
  • Qualification in Mental Health Nursing

Desirable

  • Qualification in psychosocial interventions

Knowledge

Essential

  • Fluent in English
  • Knowledge of MHA 2007
  • Knowledge of NSF, Clinical governance, and latest developments in mental health care

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams within mental health

Desirable

  • Experience working within forensic mental health services
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Current NMC registration
  • Qualification in Mental Health Nursing

Desirable

  • Qualification in psychosocial interventions

Knowledge

Essential

  • Fluent in English
  • Knowledge of MHA 2007
  • Knowledge of NSF, Clinical governance, and latest developments in mental health care

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams within mental health

Desirable

  • Experience working within forensic mental health services

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.

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.

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

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Charlotte Ballard

charlotte.ballard@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

01865902790

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year plus an RSU allowance of £1,466 per annum | pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-FS7889314

Job locations

Littlemore Mental Health Centre

Sandford Road

Oxford

OX4 4XN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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