Overview
Location: Surrey Prisons & HMP Chelmsford (hybrid: remote with regular on-site presence)
Forward Trust is a leading provider of substance misuse treatment services across custodial and community settings. We support individuals to make lasting changes, offering evidence-based clinical and psychosocial interventions to reduce harm and promote recovery.
We are now seeking a highly skilled and motivated Head of Nursing (Custodial Services) to provide clinical and operational leadership across our services in Surrey Prisons and HMP Chelmsford.
Responsibilities
* Provide high standards of nursing care in line with clinical needs, evidence-based practice, and Forward Trust protocols.
* Clinically supervise Band 7 Nurses and Non-Medical Prescribers (NMPs) within a custodial framework.
* Act as the clinical lead, overseeing specialist substance misuse services and advising colleagues across multiple disciplines.
* Support and participate in audit processes, ensuring services comply with professional, regulatory and legal requirements.
* Provide specialist advice and training to nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.
* Lead and co-ordinate teams delivering psychosocial and clinical interventions, including titration, safe dispensing of medication (including controlled drugs), and clinical risk management in high-risk environments.
* Educate, mentor and develop nursing teams and students, supporting skills growth and best practice.
* Act as a role model, demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement.
This is a leadership role requiring flexibility, resilience, and a commitment to supporting service excellence across multiple sites.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Essential: RMN or RGN with Current UK Registration
* Advanced Nursing Qualification at Masters level
* Non-Medical Prescribing qualification with current NMC registration or willingness to work towards
* Qualification in Management or willingness to work towards
* Evidence of continuing personal development and post-qualification training in medicines management, nursing care, assessment and treatment of substance misuse clients
* Desirable: Diploma/Degree in Substance Misuse or equivalent or willingness to undertake
* Mentorship in Health and Social Care
Experience
* Essential: Ability to work autonomously and supervise others; engage effectively within a multidisciplinary team; lead and develop teams; provide and coordinate clinical and management supervision; lead decision-making; excellent organisational skills; assessment skills including risk assessments; work within a Recovery model; understanding of relapse prevention; partner with other agencies; treat service users with respect and dignity; strong communication; problem solving; negotiating and influencing skills; flexibility; substantial experience in the substance misuse sector; 7 years post-registration; 2 years in Substance Misuse at minimum band 7; competence in Substance Misuse Non-Medical Prescribing and medication administration; pharmacological knowledge; thorough understanding of psychosocial interventions and community provision; understanding of providing drug and alcohol services within prison/community; senior-level management experience; data collection/ audit experience; CQC knowledge.
* 2 years in Substance Misuse at minimum band 7 level (covering above)
Desirable Experience
* Experience in developing and implementing service improvements; equality and diversity sensitivity
Other requirements
* Disclosure and Barring Service Check: Post is subject to Rehabilitation of Offenders Act; disclosure submission required.
* UK Registration: Current UK professional registration required.
Details
* Date posted: 10 October 2025
* Pay scheme: Other
* Salary: £50,952 a year
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full-time
* Reference number: B0294-25-0000
* Job locations: 200 Springfield Road, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 6JT
#J-18808-Ljbffr