About the role
Salary: £49387.00 to £56515.00
We are seeking an experienced and motivated
Prisons Transfer Coordinator
to join our Forensic and Offender Healthcare Directorate. This Band 7 role is responsible for coordinating safe, effective and timely mental health transfers for people in prison who require admission to external NHS or independent inpatient services. The post will be
based at HMP Bristol
, with regular support and travel required to
HMP Exeter
. These are the two remand prisons in the South West with the highest volume of mental health transfers and will form the main focus of the role. The postholder will also be expected to travel to and support other prisons across the South West with mental health transfers on a case-by-case basis, although transfer numbers at these establishments are significantly lower. You will work closely with prison healthcare teams, inpatient providers, commissioners, the Ministry of Justice and other partner agencies to support transfers within national timescales and ensure continuity of care throughout each person's pathway.
The postholder will coordinate referrals, assessments, admissions and remissions for people requiring transfer under Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Acting as the key link between prison clinical teams and external providers, you will track each referral, identify and escalate delays, support resolution of disputed transfers and help ensure admissions are completed within the national 14-day transfer target. You will maintain accurate records and transfer data, provide specialist clinical advice, attend relevant reviews and forums, and support safe care planning when patients return to prison. Working primarily across HMP Bristol and HMP Exeter, you will build effective relationships with healthcare teams, secure services, commissioners, the Ministry of Justice and other statutory and independent partners. The role also involves supporting service development, producing reports and activity information, sharing best practice, contributing to staff development and providing professional leadership within a challenging custodial environment.
Important Sponsorship Information for this post: We are currently unable to offer a certificate of sponsorship for this post.
As Prisons Transfer Coordinator, you will case-manage individuals identified as requiring transfer to an external mental health inpatient service and ensure that referrals are complete, accurate and progressed without avoidable delay. You will coordinate medical and nursing assessments, liaise with providers regarding bed availability and clinical suitability, support funding and Ministry of Justice processes, and maintain oversight of each case from referral through to admission and, where appropriate, remission to prison. You will provide high-quality clinical advice and prepare reports for secure mental health services, psychiatric intensive care units, commissioners and other partner organisations. The role requires a strong working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, particularly Part 3, the Care Programme Approach, confidentiality, safeguarding and the legislative framework governing the care and treatment of people in prison. You will develop and maintain effective communication with multidisciplinary prison healthcare teams, NHS and independent inpatient providers, the Prison Service, commissioners and statutory agencies. You will attend or chair case conferences, clinical reviews and other relevant forums, promote integrated and person-centred care, and ensure that clinical information is recorded accurately and promptly on relevant systems. The postholder will also contribute to service improvement across South West prisons, develop safe transfer processes and protocols, provide teaching on prison mental health transfers, share learning and examples of good practice, and supply timely activity data and reports. You will be expected to work independently, manage competing priorities and use sound professional judgement when resolving complex transfer issues. Applicants must be registered mental health nurses with relevant post-registration experience, including experience of multidisciplinary working and prison or secure mental healthcare. Strong communication, organisation, leadership, negotiation and problem-solving skills are essential. A valid driving licence and the ability to travel are required, as the post is based at HMP Bristol , requires regular travel to HMP Exeter , and may involve travel to any South West prison where specialist support with a mental health transfer is needed. IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ: