Job summary

The Nurse Consultant is a key clinical leadership role for ournew innovative Assertive Outreach offer, to support local mental health services in both Slough and Reading.

The role will work as part of a specialist team of NHS and VCSE staff to provide excellent care to patients with psychosis who find our conventional services harder to engage with. Clear best practice guidelines for assertive outreach, formulation based care delivery and shared caseload principles will support smooth-running of the service.

As an Advanced Foundation Trust, with an Outstanding rating from the CQC, and one of the best staff survey results in the country, we are able to deliver positive changes for our service users and their carers via our mature Quality Improvement approach to innovation and development, whilst being a great place to work.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a highly innovative practitioner who can provide senior clinical leadership and informed decision-making within a multidisciplinary team, whilst adopting creative and flexible clinical practice to engage people living with complex needs in meaningful ways. A focus on all four pillars of advanced practice, (expert clinical practice, clinical leadership, service development, education and research) is required to help improve outcomes, and will be supported through our excellent Nurse Consultant Network.

Our early implementation of the new assertive outreach approach will focus on the geographical locations of Slough and Reading with an expectation to work across both sites, and more widely across the Trust as the model evolves. Flexibility within job planning will include agreement on which base best suits the successful candidate.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

17 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£68,852 to £79,638 a year per annum (Incl. of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-MHS1165

Job locations

MH Community Management, New Horizons, Pursers Ct, Slough SL2 5BX

Slough

SL2 5BX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

A focus on all four pillars of advanced practice:

• Expert clinical practice
• Clinical leadership
• Service development
• Education and research

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Reuben Pearce on [email protected] or Gwen Bonner on [email protected] wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description Job responsibilities The must haves for this role: A focus on all four pillars of advanced practice: Expert clinical practice Clinical leadership Service development Education and research For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey. In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted. Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Reuben Pearce on [email protected] or Gwen Bonner on [email protected] wholl be delighted to help. Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training and Continuing Professional Development

Essential

• RN (Mental Health)
• Doctorate in Clinical Pathway
• Evidence of advanced independent research and Advanced Physical Examination and History Taking
• NMC Registered Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification.
• PSI trained and experience of using PSI in clinical practice.
• NHS leadership programme
• Evidence of continuous professional development in mental health nursing
• Specialist practitioner role in this field

Desirable

• NMC Registered Nurse Teacher Qualification (PGCE or equivalent)

Previous Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in a clinical Band 8a role or above within community mental health, assertive outreach, rehabilitation, psychosis, crisis or complex care services.
• Experience of delivering PSI in practice including working with families and carers, and supporting people who experience psychosis, trauma, substance use, homelessness, social exclusion or forensic interfaces.
• Experience of teaching in Trust and higher education institutes, development of programmes and teaching/training experience.
• Experience in leading QI programmes
• Developing and delivering training programs and clinical supervision
• Experience of managing people, resources, projects and change.
• Group facilitation experience
• Experience of setting, monitoring and evaluating standards of care
• Providing clinical and professional leadership to other qualified and non-qualified members of the profession on highly complex issues.
• Highly specialised expertise gained through advanced independent research and/or developing and implementing specialised programmes of assertive outreach and/or intensive community care
• Experience of working across systems
• Experience of non-medical prescribing in mental health practice, including safe prescribing, medication review, physical health monitoring, side-effect management and shared decision-making

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

• Advanced Clinical Skills: Expertise in managing acute psychiatric conditions, crisis intervention, and de-escalation.
• Published research articles
• Leadership and Strategic Thinking: Ability to influence policy, lead change, and support workforce development.
• Collaboration and Partnership Working: Strong MDT leadership and integration with community services to support effective inpatient care and discharge planning.
• Compassion and Advocacy: Commitment to improving patient experience, reducing inequalities, and fostering a therapeutic ward culture
• Experience of project evaluation or research, and implementing evidence-based care at an individual, team and service level.
• Experience of providing expert advice to professionals and families/informal carers on a range of highly complex matters.
• Experience of modelling practice to other professional staff, including mentorship, clinical supervision, and consultancy.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the direction that mental health professional nursing is taking.
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of subject matter.
• Expert clinical skills
• Advanced history taking, assessment, prescribing, formulation and treatment planning skills
• Understanding of clinical practice,) regulatory and governance frameworks
• In-depth understanding and experience of dynamic clinical risk assessment and management in community settings, including relapse, disengagement, safeguarding, self-neglect and risks to self or others
• Advanced Clinical supervision skills Knowledge of current and proposed legislation, guidance and research to assertive outreach and intensive community mental health care.
• Able to lead and motivate in challenging environments
• Ability to present highly complex information to large groups
• Negotiating skills
• Be a self-starter and able to motivate others

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Resilient and flexible
• Ability to travel efficiently across Berkshire Healthcare sites
• Self-Motivated
• Creative

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training and Continuing Professional Development Essential RN (Mental Health) Doctorate in Clinical Pathway Evidence of advanced independent research and Advanced Physical Examination and History Taking NMC Registered Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification. PSI trained and experience of using PSI in clinical practice. NHS leadership programme Evidence of continuous professional development in mental health nursing Specialist practitioner role in this field Desirable NMC Registered Nurse Teacher Qualification (PGCE or equivalent) Previous Experience Essential Significant experience in a clinical Band 8a role or above within community mental health, assertive outreach, rehabilitation, psychosis, crisis or complex care services. Experience of delivering PSI in practice including working with families and carers, and supporting people who experience psychosis, trauma, substance use, homelessness, social exclusion or forensic interfaces. Experience of teaching in Trust and higher education institutes, development of programmes and teaching/training experience. Experience in leading QI programmes Developing and delivering training programs and clinical supervision Experience of managing people, resources, projects and change. Group facilitation experience Experience of setting, monitoring and evaluating standards of care Providing clinical and professional leadership to other qualified and non-qualified members of the profession on highly complex issues. Highly specialised expertise gained through advanced independent research and/or developing and implementing specialised programmes of assertive outreach and/or intensive community care Experience of working across systems Experience of non-medical prescribing in mental health practice, including safe prescribing, medication review, physical health monitoring, side-effect management and shared decision-making Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential Advanced Clinical Skills: Expertise in managing acute psychiatric conditions, crisis intervention, and de-escalation. Published research articles Leadership and Strategic Thinking: Ability to influence policy, lead change, and support workforce development. Collaboration and Partnership Working: Strong MDT leadership and integration with community services to support effective inpatient care and discharge planning. Compassion and Advocacy: Commitment to improving patient experience, reducing inequalities, and fostering a therapeutic ward culture Experience of project evaluation or research, and implementing evidence-based care at an individual, team and service level. Experience of providing expert advice to professionals and families/informal carers on a range of highly complex matters. Experience of modelling practice to other professional staff, including mentorship, clinical supervision, and consultancy. Demonstrate knowledge of the direction that mental health professional nursing is taking. Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of subject matter. Expert clinical skills Advanced history taking, assessment, prescribing, formulation and treatment planning skills Understanding of clinical practice,) regulatory and governance frameworks In-depth understanding and experience of dynamic clinical risk assessment and management in community settings, including relapse, disengagement, safeguarding, self-neglect and risks to self or others Advanced Clinical supervision skills Knowledge of current and proposed legislation, guidance and research to assertive outreach and intensive community mental health care. Able to lead and motivate in challenging environments Ability to present highly complex information to large groups Negotiating skills Be a self-starter and able to motivate others Additional Requirements Essential Resilient and flexible Ability to travel efficiently across Berkshire Healthcare sites Self-Motivated Creative

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

MH Community Management, New Horizons, Pursers Ct, Slough SL2 5BX

Slough

SL2 5BX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

MH Community Management, New Horizons, Pursers Ct, Slough SL2 5BX

Slough

SL2 5BX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)