Nurse Manager HMP Highdown and HMP Downview - Surrey in Woking

The successful candidate will be working in HMP Highdown and HMP Downview. Please note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship to be considered for this position.

About the Role

Forward Trust is looking for an experienced and motivated Band 7 Nurse Manager to lead the nursing team within our specialist substance misuse service in a prison setting. This is a senior clinical and management role, responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality nursing care to patients with substance misuse needs. You will provide clinical leadership across the service, supporting the assessment, treatment and ongoing care of patients in line with current evidence, clinical guidance and Forward Trust policies.

A key part of the role will be managing the specialist substance misuse prescribing service. You will provide expert nursing advice on substance misuse treatment, including substitute prescribing, detoxification, titration and the safe dispensing and management of controlled drugs. You will oversee clinical safety and ensure that prescribing and medication processes are delivered to a high standard within the custodial environment.

You will lead and support the nursing team, providing clinical and management supervision, supporting staff development, contributing to recruitment and ensuring that appraisals, personal development plans, training and NMC revalidation requirements are maintained. Working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team is central to the role. You will build effective relationships with prison and probation colleagues, GPs, psychosocial teams, psychology, chaplaincy, education and other partner agencies to ensure patients receive coordinated and effective care. You will also contribute to service targets, clinical governance, audits, reporting and continuous service improvement. There will be occasions when you will deputise for the SMS Manager, providing additional leadership and management support to the service.

This is an opportunity to use your clinical expertise and leadership skills to make a meaningful difference to people experiencing substance misuse issues within a complex custodial environment, supporting recovery, improving health outcomes and promoting continuity of care into the community.

About You

We are looking for a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) or Registered General Nurse (RGN) with current UK registration, relevant post-registration experience and a strong understanding of substance misuse treatment and recovery. You will have experience of working with people affected by substance misuse and will bring sound clinical knowledge, strong assessment and risk management skills, and an understanding of evidence-based approaches including recovery and relapse prevention.

As a senior nurse, you will be confident leading and developing a team, providing clinical and management supervision and supporting colleagues to deliver consistently high standards of care. You will be able to work autonomously while also contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary environment. You will be able to demonstrate:

• Current UK registration as an RMN or RGN, at degree level or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, revalidation and relevant post-registration training in the assessment and treatment of people experiencing substance misuse.
• Experience or evidence of health service management.
• Strong clinical knowledge and the ability to make sound, risk-informed decisions.
• Experience of leading, developing and supporting nursing teams.
• The ability to provide and coordinate clinical and management supervision.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise a demanding workload.
• Experience of assessment and risk assessment.
• An understanding of the recovery model and relapse prevention.
• The ability to work effectively in partnership with other agencies and professionals.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A respectful, dignified and culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person.
• The ability to build constructive relationships with warmth, empathy and professionalism.
• The confidence to work with minimal supervision while contributing positively to a wider multidisciplinary team.
• Flexibility to travel to other sites when required.

You will also need to understand the importance of working safely and professionally within a custodial environment, including security, confidentiality, clinical governance and risk management requirements.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community. We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important.

Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:

• Flexible working
• Support for Families
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave