Forensic Mental Health Specialist

The purpose of The Fixated Threat Assessment Centre is to evaluate and manage the risk posed to prominent people by the fixated (i.e. those who engage in inappropriate or threatening communications or behaviours towards prominent people in the context of abnormally intense preoccupations, many of which arise from psychotic illness). Staff at the centre comprise a Metropolitan Police team and an NHS team. The NHS partnership includes a team leader, team coordinator, forensic consultant psychiatrists, forensic consultant psychologists, and forensic mental health professionals.

The position of the forensic mental health professionals with FTAC places emphasis upon a broad knowledge of systems that deliver mental health services. The knowledge base might include an operational understanding of the community mental health services, GP provision along with an understanding of the criminal justice pathway; including the courts, prison service, police service and secure mental health services.

Please note that a requirement of the successful candidate will be to hold SC vetting with the Metropolitan Police. This can be a lengthy process and can take up to a year to clear. Until cleared, the post cannot be started.

To formulate strategies of intervention to convey information that might be complex or sensitive to services. Demonstrate an ability to communicate verbally and in written form to a high standard with partner agencies. Agencies will not only involve providers of health care, but also representatives of prominent people, including government.

Required to have developed forensic risk assessment skills and a willingness to undertake further training in this specialist area of work. Referrals to the team are mainly via correspondence to principles such as the Royal family and Prime Minister. These are forwarded to FTAC from their offices where concerns are raised about the mental state and possible threats or fixation. It is extremely rare that face-to-face assessments occur.

FTAC is a centre of research, and the post holder will be expected to support the research component of the work. The post holder will therefore be required to develop knowledge, underpinned by theory and experience in this area to support analysis of facts. The research work will require skill to enter data onto a computerised database for the purpose of statistical analysis and assimilation of complex facts.

The role requires the worker to consult at a high level and to formulate strategies based upon an ability to arrive at judgments that demonstrate initiative and professional accountability.

North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that falls under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Lucia Carter-Wilson Job title: Team Lead Email address: l.carter-wilson@nhs.net Telephone number: 07392 192091