Job summary
We are looking for registered health or social care professionals to work in a team in a fast-paced criminal justice environment. You will need to be an NMC, SWE or HCPC registered practitioner with some relevant health or social care service experience and have significant demonstrable post registration experience.
Liaison and Diversion is a service where people of all ages with a wide range of vulnerabilities are identified and assessed as early as possible as they pass through the Youth and Criminal Justice Systems.
For this post, you will work in police custody and complete triage assessments with people whilst they are detained there (from the age of ten). You will work closely with the police, your assessment and information gathering will support that person across the offender pathway. Depending on a person's criminal justice journey this may include Courts and Probation and the wider health and social care systems in the community.
Whilst the team all perform the Liaison and Diversion Practitioner role, your colleagues come from a range of professional backgrounds including social workers, paramedics, midwives, health visitors, approved mental health professionals, physical health nurses and a learning disability nurse. In this role your criminal justice knowledge will greatly expand, so we welcome applicants who have not worked in this area as we can provide training and your knowledge will develop as you work across the team.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a full time team members to join our team in Wymondham Police Investigation Centre, this role also includes cover of Aylsham Police Investigation Centre on a rota basis.
Your primary role will be to complete holistic triage assessments for people who have been arrested and brought to police custody. You will possess excellent interpersonal skills that will enable you to challenge, motivate, influence, and inspire at all levels. As part of a small team, you will work various shift patterns comprising of mostly 9-hour shifts, to enable the service to cover extended hours, seven days per week, 365 days a year.
The working criminal justice locations include Police Investigation Centres (PIC's), Courts and other supporting criminal justice/health environments in line with service need. However, this role will primarily work inside the PIC. The service covers both Norfolk and Suffolk and may require some cross county working. It is essential that you can travel independently.
About us
Benefits included with this role are: -
- NHS pension
- Comprehensive in house & external training programmes
- Career progression
- Starting annual leave of 27 days per annum increasing to 33 days Per annum based on length of service (plus paid bank holidays)
- Staff physio service
- Gym membership
- NHS discounts and many more
Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly, and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing their experiences and learning from each other.
NSFT is committed to lifelong learning and continuous professional development (CPD) for its entire staff. There are a variety of definitions of CPD across the professions, but it is usually taken to mean learning activities which update existing skills.
CPD is determined through appraisal with a personal development plan agreed between an individual and their manager, with the commitment of the necessary time and resources.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role of the Liaison & Diversion Practitioner is to work in partnership with Police, Probation, Her Majesties Court and Tribunal Service and Third Sector organisations in the screening and triage of alleged offenders pre and post charge in Police Custody, Magistrates Courts, and other Criminal Justice locations. The Liaison & Diversion Service is an all age, all vulnerability model and will screen identified individuals and advise partner agencies on their needs and the potential impact on their offending behaviour to help identify appropriate custodial or alternative to custody options.
The practitioner will demonstrate an understanding of mental health assessments and the health needs of service users and will work closely alongside partner agencies to promote the safety and the wellbeing of service users, their families/carers and the wider public. The post holder will assess and where appropriate refer to primary and/or secondary and/or third sector organisations based on any identified need.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Help to maintain a quality court diversion service as part of the Liaison and Diversion Service.
- To attend courts when required and provide a range of screening assessments and written reports. To give clear direction to court officials when diversion is required.
- To attend Police Investigation Centres (PICs) as required to screen and /or triage service users.
- To provide accurate advice at pre-sentence report stage to facilitate and expedite mental health screenings.
- To participate in the assessment of clients by ensuring their physical, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing are taken into account at all times and divert to a place that would meet their needs if necessary.
- To form working partnerships with other care providers.
- To assist in the process of enabling service users to gain and maintain independence.
- To facilitate access to a range of appropriate health and social care interventions according to service users identified need.
- To assist in the management and organisation of work as required, to include the supervision of Band 4 staff where appropriate.
- To maintain and provide accurate records, statistics, and reports as required by the service.
- To understand and to work within the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983.
- To effectively organise the working day for self and others making the best use of time, geographical distances and resources.
- Ensure that practice is person centred and as far as possible promotes service user involvement to facilitate an optimal care pathway that will improve health and reduce re-offending.
- Policy and service development: The post holder would be required to develop care pathways that link the LaDS with Children and Young persons and Substance misuse services.
- Adhere to NSFT policies and guidelines on clinical and managerial supervision.
- To comply with all Trust Policies, Guidelines, and Protocols with regard to community services.
This is only an outline of the duties and responsibilities, and the post holder will be expected to carry out tasks as designated by managers or senior colleagues.
Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!
Health Education England commissioned Skills for Health to develop a career and competence framework for Liaison and Diversion practitioners with the aim of developing a flexible workforce able to respond to people with vulnerabilities who are either in or at risk of becoming involved with the Criminal Justice System. The framework helps support the development and growth of the workforce in this area, within mental health services and supports the movement of staff between the different roles across the non-custodial criminal justice services, such as Reconnect, Court Health services, Court Wellbeing/MHRT teams and L and D services. The link to the competency framework can be found below. Any new recruits will work through the framework with their mentor and line Manager during their induction period.
https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FINAL-Non-Custodial-Career-and-Competence-Framework-document.pdf
https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Level-5-Practitioner-LD-Final-Feb-2023-v1.pdf
Candidates may only be given a minimum of 3 days notice regarding interviews. You will be contacted via email and invited to book a time. These emails may go to your SPAM, so please keep checking all your emails if applying.
Please visit our Facebook and Twitter page @SouthgateNSFT and @NSFTjobs
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role of the Liaison & Diversion Practitioner is to work in partnership with Police, Probation, Her Majesties Court and Tribunal Service and Third Sector organisations in the screening and triage of alleged offenders pre and post charge in Police Custody, Magistrates Courts, and other Criminal Justice locations. The Liaison & Diversion Service is an all age, all vulnerability model and will screen identified individuals and advise partner agencies on their needs and the potential impact on their offending behaviour to help identify appropriate custodial or alternative to custody options.
The practitioner will demonstrate an understanding of mental health assessments and the health needs of service users and will work closely alongside partner agencies to promote the safety and the wellbeing of service users, their families/carers and the wider public. The post holder will assess and where appropriate refer to primary and/or secondary and/or third sector organisations based on any identified need.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Help to maintain a quality court diversion service as part of the Liaison and Diversion Service.
- To attend courts when required and provide a range of screening assessments and written reports. To give clear direction to court officials when diversion is required.
- To attend Police Investigation Centres (PICs) as required to screen and /or triage service users.
- To provide accurate advice at pre-sentence report stage to facilitate and expedite mental health screenings.
- To participate in the assessment of clients by ensuring their physical, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing are taken into account at all times and divert to a place that would meet their needs if necessary.
- To form working partnerships with other care providers.
- To assist in the process of enabling service users to gain and maintain independence.
- To facilitate access to a range of appropriate health and social care interventions according to service users identified need.
- To assist in the management and organisation of work as required, to include the supervision of Band 4 staff where appropriate.
- To maintain and provide accurate records, statistics, and reports as required by the service.
- To understand and to work within the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983.
- To effectively organise the working day for self and others making the best use of time, geographical distances and resources.
- Ensure that practice is person centred and as far as possible promotes service user involvement to facilitate an optimal care pathway that will improve health and reduce re-offending.
- Policy and service development: The post holder would be required to develop care pathways that link the LaDS with Children and Young persons and Substance misuse services.
- Adhere to NSFT policies and guidelines on clinical and managerial supervision.
- To comply with all Trust Policies, Guidelines, and Protocols with regard to community services.
This is only an outline of the duties and responsibilities, and the post holder will be expected to carry out tasks as designated by managers or senior colleagues.
Please find attached our Job Description and Person Specification for more detail on your Key Accountabilities, then if you feel you have what it takes to make a difference in your local communities, click APPLY!
Health Education England commissioned Skills for Health to develop a career and competence framework for Liaison and Diversion practitioners with the aim of developing a flexible workforce able to respond to people with vulnerabilities who are either in or at risk of becoming involved with the Criminal Justice System. The framework helps support the development and growth of the workforce in this area, within mental health services and supports the movement of staff between the different roles across the non-custodial criminal justice services, such as Reconnect, Court Health services, Court Wellbeing/MHRT teams and L and D services. The link to the competency framework can be found below. Any new recruits will work through the framework with their mentor and line Manager during their induction period.
https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FINAL-Non-Custodial-Career-and-Competence-Framework-document.pdf
https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Level-5-Practitioner-LD-Final-Feb-2023-v1.pdf
Candidates may only be given a minimum of 3 days notice regarding interviews. You will be contacted via email and invited to book a time. These emails may go to your SPAM, so please keep checking all your emails if applying.
Please visit our Facebook and Twitter page @SouthgateNSFT and @NSFTjobs
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Nursing degree or equivalent degree level qualification
- NMC registration or equivalent registration
Desirable
- Higher degree or Post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice.
- Mentorship qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Familiar with undertaking clinical assessments including risk assessments.
- Experience of working with challenging clients particularly those with personality disorders services.
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non-statutory teams and agencies
Desirable
- Experience of working with clients with severe learning disabilities or those in a secure environment.
- Previous experience of working in the community.
- Experience of working with clients with severe learning disabilities or those in a secure environment.
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the policies and legislation that underpin the development of Liaison and Diversion
- Working knowledge of the application of the Mental Health Act 1983
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel independently.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Nursing degree or equivalent degree level qualification
- NMC registration or equivalent registration
Desirable
- Higher degree or Post graduate certificate in area of clinical / therapeutic practice.
- Mentorship qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Familiar with undertaking clinical assessments including risk assessments.
- Experience of working with challenging clients particularly those with personality disorders services.
- Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non-statutory teams and agencies
Desirable
- Experience of working with clients with severe learning disabilities or those in a secure environment.
- Previous experience of working in the community.
- Experience of working with clients with severe learning disabilities or those in a secure environment.
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the policies and legislation that underpin the development of Liaison and Diversion
- Working knowledge of the application of the Mental Health Act 1983
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel independently.
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
