Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Community Forensic Team Clinical Lead

The closing date is 16 April 2026

Job summary

The post holder will provide operational and management responsibility for the Specialist Community Forensic Mental Health Team (SCFT) covering Essex. The post holder will be providing effective leadership and standards of clinical practice and services. This will include effective management of the multi-disciplinary team and financial budgets.

All SCFT staff are provided with training and development, supported by NHS England, including the opportunity to attend training days on a roughly monthly basis. We will support candidates working as Approved Mental Health Professionals and Best Interest Assessors to work sufficient shifts in these roles to maintain their status.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will contribute to the continued development and provision of SCFT to meet the needs of the service users with complex mental health and social needs within Essex working in collaboration with Phoenix Futures (PF); a third sector organization, to deliver the core components of the service model. The post holder will be an experienced clinician with extensive experience of working in the community setting with service users with a forensic background and will be part working as part of the management team. They will play a key role in supporting, inspiring and guiding the clinical work of their team, with a focus on continuing service improvement.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
  • We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details

Date posted

02 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year Per Annum + 5% High Cost Allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9925

Job locations

Heath Close

2 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work closely with other Senior Managers within the Specialist Services Care Group and the East of England Collaborative participating in strategic development and transformation of services. Ensuring the delivery of high quality services to meet the demand and needs of the service users within the local communities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work closely with other Senior Managers within the Specialist Services Care Group and the East of England Collaborative participating in strategic development and transformation of services. Ensuring the delivery of high quality services to meet the demand and needs of the service users within the local communities.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Registered Professional Qualification in either of the following disciplines: RGN/ RMN (NMC) Social Work (HCPC) Occupational Therapy (HCPC) Psychology (BPS)
  • Specialist training to Postgraduate/ Master's Level, or equivalent experience
  • Specialist knowledge to a high standard with evidence of both supported theory and evidence

Desirable

  • Leadership or management Qualification
  • Specialist risk assessment skills e.g. HCR 20 & SARA v3

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive post qualification / post graduate experience.
  • Able to demonstrate leadership experience in an MDT environment.
  • Experience of MDT working within a Community Setting, including liaison with external stakeholders and agencies
  • Experience in managing change and problem solving both clinically and within employee relationships.

Desirable

  • Experience in other NHS or local authority adult services.
  • Experience in offender mental health setting
  • Able to manage projects from inception to completion within deadlines and evaluate
  • Knowledge of Ministry of justice requirements as they relate to offenders for mental health

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to contain the emotional impact of work with adults' mental health problems.
  • Ability to prioritise large and conflicting workload, use own initiative and work autonomously.
  • Ability to deal with frequent exposure to highly distressing situations and family breakdown and provide support to staff in these situations.
  • Advanced communication skills including ability to negotiate and influence at all levels
  • Understand the need for compassion in working within colleagues, service users and families.
Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Registered Professional Qualification in either of the following disciplines: RGN/ RMN (NMC) Social Work (HCPC) Occupational Therapy (HCPC) Psychology (BPS)
  • Specialist training to Postgraduate/ Master's Level, or equivalent experience
  • Specialist knowledge to a high standard with evidence of both supported theory and evidence

Desirable

  • Leadership or management Qualification
  • Specialist risk assessment skills e.g. HCR 20 & SARA v3

Knowledge

Essential

  • Extensive post qualification / post graduate experience.
  • Able to demonstrate leadership experience in an MDT environment.
  • Experience of MDT working within a Community Setting, including liaison with external stakeholders and agencies
  • Experience in managing change and problem solving both clinically and within employee relationships.

Desirable

  • Experience in other NHS or local authority adult services.
  • Experience in offender mental health setting
  • Able to manage projects from inception to completion within deadlines and evaluate
  • Knowledge of Ministry of justice requirements as they relate to offenders for mental health

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Ability to contain the emotional impact of work with adults' mental health problems.
  • Ability to prioritise large and conflicting workload, use own initiative and work autonomously.
  • Ability to deal with frequent exposure to highly distressing situations and family breakdown and provide support to staff in these situations.
  • Advanced communication skills including ability to negotiate and influence at all levels
  • Understand the need for compassion in working within colleagues, service users and families.

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

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Heath Close

2 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Heath Close

2 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Secure Services HR Business Partner

Rachel Laverty

rachel.laverty@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

02 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year Per Annum + 5% High Cost Allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-A-9925

Job locations

Heath Close

2 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Supporting documents

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