In-Reach Mental Health Practitioner – NHS Band 6 | London
Job Overview
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting an In-Reach Mental Health Practitioner to join the Mental Health In-Reach Team at HMP Wandsworth, London.
This is a permanent, full-time Band 6 NHS position providing specialist mental healthcare to offenders within a prison setting.
Important Sponsorship Information
CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP (CoS): NOT AVAILABLE
The vacancy specifically states that Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is currently unable to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship for this post.
Applicants should carefully verify their right-to-work status and sponsorship eligibility before applying.
Position Details
Job Title: In-Reach Mental Health Practitioner
Employer: Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Band: Band 6
Salary: £47,951 – £56,863 per year
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Location: HMP Wandsworth, Heathfield Road, London, SW18 3HU
Date Posted: 25 August 2026
Closing Date: 8 September 2026
Reference: 277-8219425-WANDS
About the Role
The successful candidate will provide specialist mental healthcare as part of the Mental Health In-Reach Team and wider mental health services at HMP Wandsworth.
The role includes:
- Referral management
- Screening and assessment
- Triage
- Evidence-based interventions
- One-to-one interventions
- Group-work facilitation
- Assertive outreach
- Complex case management
- Management of a mixed and challenging caseload
- Continuity of care
Main Duties
- Contribute to alternatives to inpatient admission.
- Support early discharge through high-intensity specialist interventions.
- Undertake complex case management.
- Promote continuity of care for offenders.
- Help reduce inpatient lengths of stay.
- Undertake robust assessment and screening.
- Provide interventions to offenders with learning disabilities.
- Deliver assessments and interventions within appropriate waiting-time standards.
- Contribute to service performance targets.
- Work collaboratively with specialist services.
- Support through-the-gate arrangements.
- Liaise with community and specialist healthcare services.
- Work closely with Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs).
- Support the Care Programme Approach (CPA).
Job Responsibilities
- Communicate effectively about complex issues and situations.
- Maintain comprehensive and timely electronic clinical records.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Participate in annual appraisal and review processes.
- Demonstrate reflective practice.
- Provide supervision and mentorship to junior staff.
- Provide clinical leadership.
- Work effectively within an unpredictable prison environment.
Essential Qualifications & Experience
Applicants must have:
- RMN qualification
- Minimum 2 years’ experience
- Current UK professional registration
- Forensic experience
- Good IT skills
- Demonstrated diligence
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
Desirable criteria include:
- Teaching and assessing qualification or equivalent
- MSc, working towards an MSc, or equivalent
- Further education
- Strong communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Prison experience
- SystmOne experience
Prison Security & Vetting
All applicants must be willing to undergo National Security Vetting because the role is based within a prison setting.
Applicants may need to provide:
- Proof of right to work in the UK
- Proof of identity, including photographic ID
- Proof of address
- Home Office Share Code where applicable
- Five years of address history
Additional police certificates or overseas checks may be required depending on an applicant’s nationality and residential history.
DBS Check
The position is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will therefore be required.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
About Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Oxleas provides NHS healthcare services across community and secure environments.
Its services include:
- Community healthcare
- District nursing
- Speech and language therapy
- Learning disability services
- Mental health services
- Psychiatry
- Nursing
- Therapies
- Prison healthcare
Oxleas works across hospitals, clinics, prisons, secure hospitals, children’s centres, schools and people’s homes.
Its stated values are:
We’re Kind
We’re Fair
We Listen
We Care
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may suit an experienced mental health professional with:
- RMN registration
- At least two years’ experience
- Forensic mental health experience
- Strong assessment and clinical intervention skills
- Complex caseload management experience
- Good communication skills
- Multidisciplinary working experience
- Ability to work in challenging environments
Forensic experience is essential. Prison experience is desirable.
Application Deadline
Closing Date: 8 September 2026
Applicants should review the complete vacancy requirements and ensure they meet all essential criteria before applying.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the official NHS Jobs vacancy.
Job Reference: 277-8219425-WANDS
Employer: Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Location: HMP Wandsworth, London
Full Details + Apply
Important Applicant Notice
Certificate of Sponsorship is currently NOT available for this specific post, according to the vacancy’s important sponsorship statement.
Applicants should carefully check their right-to-work status, professional registration, forensic experience and prison vetting requirements before applying.
Job Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | In-Reach Mental Health Practitioner |
| Employer | Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust |
| NHS Band | Band 6 |
| Salary | £47,951 – £56,863 |
| Contract | Permanent |
| Working Pattern | Full-time |
| Location | HMP Wandsworth, London |
| Closing Date | 8 September 2026 |
| Reference | 277-8219425-WANDS |
| RMN | Essential |
| Minimum Experience | 2 years |
| Forensic Experience | Essential |
| Prison Experience | Desirable |
| CoS | Not currently available |
| UK Registration | Required |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Certificate of Sponsorship available?
No. The vacancy specifically states that Oxleas is currently unable to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship for this post.
What NHS Band is this position?
It is an NHS Band 6 position.
What is the salary?
The advertised salary is £47,951 to £56,863 per year.
Is the position permanent?
Yes. It is advertised as permanent and full-time.
Is forensic experience required?
Yes. Forensic experience is an essential requirement.
Is prison experience required?
Prison experience is listed as desirable.
Is RMN registration required?
Yes. RMN and current UK professional registration are required.
When does the vacancy close?
The closing date is 8 September 2026.
Source & Application
Source: NHS Jobs / Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Reference: 277-8219425-WANDS