Location: Surrey Prisons & HMP Chelmsford (hybrid: remote with regular on-site presence)

Forward Trust is a leading provider of substance misuse treatment services across custodial and community settings. We support individuals to make lasting changes, offering evidence-based clinical and psychosocial interventions to reduce harm and promote recovery.

We are now seeking a highly skilled and motivated Head of Nursing (Custodial Services) to provide clinical and operational leadership across our services in Surrey Prisons and HMP Chelmsford.

As Head of Nursing, you will have direct clinical and management responsibility for the effective delivery of substance misuse services in custodial settings. You will:

• Provide high standards of nursing care in line with clinical needs, evidence-based practice, and Forward Trust protocols.
• Clinically supervise Band 7 Nurses and Non-Medical Prescribers (NMPs) within a custodial framework.
• Act as the clinical lead, overseeing specialist substance misuse services and advising colleagues across multiple disciplines.
• Support and participate in audit processes, ensuring services comply with professional, regulatory and legal requirements.
• Provide specialist advice and training to nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.
• Lead and co-ordinate teams delivering psychosocial and clinical interventions, including titration, safe dispensing of medication (including controlled drugs), and clinical risk management in high-risk environments.
• Educate, mentor and develop nursing teams and students, supporting skills growth and best practice.
• Act as a role model, demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement.

This is a leadership role requiring flexibility, resilience, and a commitment to supporting service excellence across multiple sites.

About You

Qualifications (essential)

• RMN or RGN with current UK registration.
• Advanced Nursing Qualification at Master’s level.
• Non-Medical Prescribing qualification with current NMC registration (or willingness to work towards).
• Management qualification (or willingness to work towards).
• Evidence of ongoing CPD in medicines management, substance misuse treatment, and clinical practice.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development abilities.
• Excellent clinical supervision and decision-making skills.
• Ability to engage effectively in multidisciplinary teams and across agencies.
• Expertise in clinical risk assessment and management within recovery-focused models.
• Excellent organisational, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with empathy and cultural sensitivity.
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving service needs.

Knowledge & Experience

• Minimum 7 years post-registration experience, including at least 2 years in substance misuse at Band 7 or above.
• Senior management experience (minimum 2 years).
• Competence in non-medical prescribing and administration of medications.
• In-depth knowledge of pharmacology, psychosocial interventions, and community provision.
• Strong understanding of prison-based drug and alcohol services, addiction treatment programmes, and CQC compliance.
• Experience in service development, audit, and quality improvement.
• Awareness of equality, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare delivery.