Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Practitioner, Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion

The closing date is 31 July 2025

Job summary

Are you outgoing, hard working, self motivated and ambitious with an interest with helping people in the criminal justice system? If so, we have the perfect job for you!

The Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service provides mental health assessments and advice to Dorset Police custody suites and Magistrates' Courts and is looking for a Mental Health Practitioner to join it's award winning team.

Main duties of the job

Working in Police custody suites, you'll use your clinical experience to carry out mental health and risk assessments, sharing information with the Police, treating teams and other agencies to ensure the detained person receives the support required to help them reduce the risk of re-offending by identifying vulnerabilities that could lead to crisis point and ensure the right support can be put in place.

The service is operational 7 days a week, with shifts of 7am-7pm and 8am-4pm. We will try to match your base with your home location but some flexibility is required to provide cover across the county.

Employment with the Service is dependent on passing the police advanced vetting process.

The police custody environment is unique and new to most people. Before applying for this post, we strongly recommend you contact the team on 01202 705526 to gain a better understanding of the role.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year p.a. pro rota for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

152-M144.25

Job locations

Kings Park Hospital

Gloucester Road

Boscombe

BH7 6JF


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential

  • Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by post registration diploma level specialist training and/or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Experience at Practitioner Band 5 level

Job Specific Experience

Desirable

  • Recent previous experience of working with people in the criminal justice system

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

  • Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
  • Demonstrable ability to analyse situations and provide a resolution

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism
Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential

  • Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level supplemented by post registration diploma level specialist training and/or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Experience at Practitioner Band 5 level

Job Specific Experience

Desirable

  • Recent previous experience of working with people in the criminal justice system

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

  • Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
  • Demonstrable ability to analyse situations and provide a resolution

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in area of specialism

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

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kings Park Hospital

Gloucester Road

Boscombe

BH7 6JF


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kings Park Hospital

Gloucester Road

Boscombe

BH7 6JF


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Project Manager

Sally Tatton

sally.tatton@nhs.net

07500125749

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year p.a. pro rota for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

152-M144.25

Job locations

Kings Park Hospital

Gloucester Road

Boscombe

BH7 6JF


Supporting documents

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