Mental Health Nurse - Ash WardNHS

Job summary

Are you a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) ready for a new challenge in forensic mental health?

Ash Ward provides inpatient care within a low secure setting, offering a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment. The focus is on comprehensive risk assessment and reduction, supporting rehabilitation, and planning for a successful transition back into the community.

In this rewarding role, you will deliver specialist forensic mental health nursing care to individuals with complex needs, including those who may have a history of offending behaviour or present significant risks to others. Working with adult men of working age, you will play a key role in supporting recovery within a secure inpatient setting.

As a valued member of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to assessment, care planning, and treatment delivery within a recovery-focused service. Collaboration, compassion, and strong communication skills are essential.

You will be fully supported in your ongoing personal and professional development through a wide range of internal and external training opportunities, ensuring you continue to grow and thrive in your career.

This is a rotational shift role, including evenings and weekends, with occasional flexibility required to support other areas of the Trust in line with service needs.

You'll be joining a welcoming and supportive team who are passionate about making a difference--ensuring you feel confident, valued, and settled from day one.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver high-quality, specialist forensic mental health nursing care within a low secure inpatient environment
• Act as a key worker, leading the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for allocated service users
• Complete and review clinical and risk assessments in line with Trust policies
• Administer medication safely and in accordance with professional and organisational standards
• Build and maintain therapeutic relationships to support recovery, engagement, and emotional stability
• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver effective, person-centred care
• Observe, record, and respond to changes in patients' physical and mental health
• Facilitate and support therapeutic and recreational activities
• Support and supervise junior staff, students, and colleagues as required
• Ensure adherence to relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act and safeguarding requirements
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical records and documentation

Please note: this vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Job description

As a Band 5 Registered Mental Health Nurse on Ash Ward, you will be a key member of the inpatient forensic team, delivering specialist care to individuals with complex mental health needs within a low secure setting. You will work with adult males of working age, supporting their recovery journey through structured, evidence-based interventions and risk management strategies.

You will take responsibility for coordinating care for allocated service users, acting as a named nurse and leading on care planning and delivery. This includes undertaking comprehensive assessments, developing personalised care plans, and working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to review progress and outcomes.

A central part of your role will be to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships, providing emotional support, promoting engagement, and ensuring a safe and supportive environment. You will also deliver and supervise therapeutic activities, helping individuals build skills and confidence necessary for rehabilitation and community reintegration.

You will be responsible for monitoring both mental and physical health, carrying out clinical observations, and responding appropriately to any deterioration or risk. Administering medication safely and adhering to professional standards and Trust policies will be a key aspect of your day-to-day duties.

Working within legal and professional frameworks, including the Mental Health Act, you will ensure all care is delivered safely, ethically, and in line with current legislation. You will also contribute to risk assessment and management processes, helping to reduce harm and promote positive outcomes.

As part of a dynamic team, you will work closely with colleagues, carers, and external agencies to ensure continuity of care. You will be expected to communicate complex and sensitive information clearly and professionally, maintaining accurate clinical records at all times.

You will also play an important role in supporting the wider team--providing guidance to junior staff, contributing to a positive team culture, and helping to maintain high standards of care. Opportunities for leadership development, supervision, and mentorship are available as you progress in your role.

The environment can be challenging at times, requiring resilience, adaptability, and compassion. You may encounter distressing situations or challenging behaviours, but you will receive full support, training, and supervision to help you manage these effectively.

Above all, this role offers the opportunity to make a real difference--supporting individuals to recover, reduce risk, and work towards a more independent future within the community.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.