Job Overview
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist to join our Secure Learning Disability Inpatient Service at Aspen Wood Low Secure Unit, Maghull Health Park. This is a permanent, full-time position offering an exceptional opportunity for international medical professionals seeking relocation to the United Kingdom with certificate of sponsorship available.
As a Consultant Psychiatrist and Approved Clinician, you will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive psychiatric services to individuals with learning disabilities within our secure inpatient service. You will be responsible for ensuring our service users’ needs are met through the delivery of high-quality care in accordance with the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007).
Position Details
Job Title: Consultant Psychiatrist – Secure Learning Disability Inpatient Service
Employer: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Aspen Wood Low Secure Unit, Maghull Health Park, Villas Road, Maghull L31 1FN
Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 per annum, plus 10% R&R (non contractual) 1% on call
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Reference Number: 350-MED7284722-A
About Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region. We are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to ‘perfect care’ – care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
This is a full-time post with a schedule of programmed activities representing a job plan totalling 10 programmed activities per week of 8 Direct Clinical Care and 2 Supporting Professional Activities.
The Consultant Psychiatrist will have responsibility for a caseload of up to 20 inpatients at Aspen Wood Low Secure Unit. This includes being the Responsible Clinician for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and carrying out duties in accordance with the Code of Practice.
Fulfilling Responsible Clinician responsibility for inpatients within a secure inpatient service will be a major component of this post. The post holder will have a flexible job plan drawn to provide Consultant input for the Secure Inpatient Learning Disability services on the Maghull Health Park.
Key responsibilities include providing direct clinical work including assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioural disorders. You will participate in regular MDT meetings, CPA reviews, MAPPA, safeguarding, risk reviews and providing clinical leadership and Responsible Clinician role.
Clinical Responsibilities
To provide medical input for several patients that a non-medical Approved Clinician has Responsible Clinician responsibility for. These patients are based at Aspen Wood Low Secure Unit.
To complete comprehensive psychiatric assessments and provide medical interventions for patients. Supporting staff to manage psychiatric emergencies is a crucial aspect of this role.
You will conduct patient reviews and lead multidisciplinary ward reviews, CPA reviews, attend CTR meetings and multi-professional meetings. Providing verbal and written evidence to Mental Health Review Tribunals and Hospital Managers hearings will form a significant part of this post.
Risk Management and Supervision
To carry out comprehensive Risk Assessments and participate in Trust risk management processes such as Health Risk Assessment and Management Meetings (H-RAMM) and Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangement (MAPPA) Meetings if required.
To provide Clinical and/or Educational supervision to junior colleagues. There is a CT trainee and Specialty Doctor based at Aspen Wood Low Secure Unit who will require your guidance and mentorship.
Liaison and Collaboration
Liaison with aspects of the Criminal Justice System regarding patients where necessary. The post holder will be expected to liaise with colleagues in other services/divisions within the Trust to support people with Forensic LD accessing other local and remotely located services.
There will be reciprocal cross-cover provided by the other Learning Disability Consultants at Rowan View Medium Secure Unit on the Maghull Health Park during periods of leave and sickness.
On-Call Requirements
There is on-call after hours for the Maghull Health Park as part of this post. This is currently 1:25, providing additional compensation through the 1% on-call allowance.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
Full GMC Registration or eligibility to be included on the register and holding a current licence to practise at the time of Appointment. Section 12 approval and possession of Approved Clinical Status are essential requirements.
The post holder must maintain AC approval throughout their employment. Knowledge and experience of assessing and treating individuals with learning disability and/or autism is absolutely essential.
Essential Experience
Experience in treating individuals with forensic needs is required. Applicants must demonstrate excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are mandatory. The ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty is crucial for this role.
Personal Skills Requirements
To possess leadership skills and be able to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team. Ability to manage own time, workload and prioritise clinical work effectively.
Ability to appraise own performance as a consultant. Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills in order to effectively work with patients, carers and staff.
Approachable and compassionate personality with good listening skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential for this challenging yet rewarding role.
Transport Requirements
Holds and will use valid UK driving licence OR provides evidence of proposed alternative. Non-drivers due to disability will be supported via access to work scheme.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Application Process
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 350-MED7284722-A. The closing date for applications is 12 October 2025.
For questions about the job, please contact Dawn McLoughlin, Deputy Medical Workforce Lead, at [email protected].
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles. Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is committed to supporting work-life balance and offers various flexible working arrangements.
Why Join Mersey Care?
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust offers a supportive working environment with excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression. We are committed to providing perfect care and value our staff as essential partners in achieving this goal.
As an accredited employer with various recognitions including Disability Confident Employer, Armed Forces Covenant, and CQC Good rating, we demonstrate our commitment to excellence in healthcare provision and staff support.
This position offers an excellent opportunity for international medical professionals seeking to relocate to the United Kingdom, with comprehensive support through the certificate of sponsorship process and integration into the UK healthcare system.
