We are seeking an experienced and motivated Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist to join our specialist multidisciplinary team. This role involves working with individuals who present a significant risk to others and require expert psychiatric assessment, treatment and risk management within secure or criminal justice settings.
You will provide high‑quality clinical care, expert opinion, and leadership across a range of forensic environments, including secure hospitals, prisons and community forensic services. Most patients will be subject to legal restrictions and referred via the criminal justice system.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Duties
* Conduct comprehensive assessments of risk of harm to others, using structured risk assessment tools and professional judgement.
* Lead on risk management planning, ensuring safe and effective care pathways.
* Provide expertise in pharmacological and psychological treatment approaches for violent or high‑risk behaviours associated with mental disorders.
* Deliver psychodynamic formulation and guide psychotherapeutic strategies for complex cases.
* Apply the therapeutic use of security to maintain safe, recovery‑focused environments.
* Review and document patients’ mental state in line with hospital procedures.
* Ensure all patients receive a full physical health screen on admission, including examination, ECG and blood tests.
* Seek collateral information from families, carers and external professionals.
* Complete discharge summaries, clinical reports and statutory documentation (e.g., s62 forms) in a timely manner.
* Prepare reports for Mental Health Review Tribunals and Hospital Managers’ hearings under consultant supervision.
Expert Witness & Legal Responsibilities
You will work closely with courts, probation services and criminal justice agencies, providing specialist forensic psychiatric input. This includes expert evidence on:
* Fitness to plead and fitness to stand trial
* Capacity to form intent
* Psychiatric defences and mental disorder considerations
* Recommendations for hospital admission for assessment
* Advice on mental health disposals at sentencing
* The nature of mental disorders and their link to future risk
* Prognosis and availability of appropriate treatment
* Determining the level of security required for safe treatment and risk management
A comprehensive understanding of relevant criminal, civil and case law is essential.
Must‑Have Skills & Attributes
* Excellent communication skills for working with colleagues, patients and families
* Emotional resilience and a calm, composed approach under pressure
* Strong teamwork skills with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams
* Advanced diagnostic and problem‑solving abilities
* Outstanding organisational and decision‑making skills
* Effective time and resource management to support patient care
Preferred Experience & Qualifications
* Previous experience working in psychiatry within multidisciplinary teams
* Good standing with the Royal College of Psychiatrists
* Background or specialist training in Forensic Psychiatry
Pay
Salary is competitive and dependent on experience, contractual arrangement and any additional responsibilities.
* Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays, in line with contract terms
* Pension scheme access, subject to eligibility and employer arrangements
* Study leave, CPD support and access to training / development opportunities
* Support for appraisal, revalidation and professional development
* Opportunities for clinical leadership, teaching and service development
* Wellbeing support and employee assistance resources
* Flexible working arrangements where service needs allow
* Potential relocation support or recruitment / retention incentives, where applicable
* Free parking and on‑site facilities, where available
Grove Park‑Specific / Consultant Requirements
* Work within Grove Park’s independent mental health setting, supporting both NHS and self‑funded pathways where appropriate, while maintaining clear admission criteria, safe gatekeeping and timely consultant review of referrals.
* Demonstrate strong working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Code of Practice, including the care of detained patients and those whose rights are restricted.
* Act as Responsible Clinician / Approved Clinician where authorised and appropriate, and undertake statutory reviews, renewal recommendations and legal documentation to a high standard.
* Chair and contribute to CPA reviews, ward rounds and risk meetings, ensuring robust care planning, discharge planning and clear community follow‑up arrangements.
* Liaise effectively with external agencies including community mental health teams, social care, probation, police, courts, commissioners and, where relevant, MAPPA / Ministry of Justice teams.
* Support rehabilitation and step‑down planning, including assessment of the least restrictive setting, community placement suitability and relapse / risk management plans.
* Provide consultant leadership in clinical governance, audit, incident review, policy implementation and continuous quality improvement, supporting compliance with CQC standards.
* Contribute to teaching, supervision and development of junior doctors and the wider multidisciplinary team, and maintain appraisal, revalidation and continuing professional development requirements.
Additional Duties
* Ensure safe and thorough handovers, including out‑of‑hours
* Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation
* Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives
* Support junior medical staff and contribute to teaching where required
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