Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Liaison & Diversion Practitioner

The closing date is 24 April 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for experienced practitioners with a criminal justice interest, to work in the Sussex Health & Justice liaison and diversion Service. The post holder would be expected to work in the liaison and diversion service, covering custodies across Sussex area. This will include providing high quality assessments of people attending Police Custody and supporting people with liaison and diversion to supportive services in the local area. The service will be delivered to people of all ages including those under the age of 18yrs who present with any vulnerability including but not limited to; mental health, physical health, learning disability, head injury, unemployment, housing, educational needs etc. The role will specialise in support children and young people who enter into the criminal justice system.H&J is not itself a treatment service, but it is an identification, assessment and referral service. The role will involve assessing; accessing; and implementing a wide and, at times, complex range of care services for people over the age of 18 with increasingly complex needs. The post holder will act as an experienced and largely independent practitioner within the role, assessing, formulating, implementing and agreeing care and support plans with adults and carers.

Main duties of the job

Main duties and responsibilitieso Take responsibility for specialist assessment (within service specification) in Liaison and Diversion in conjunction with service user and carer, helping to promote self-determination, choice and autonomy.o To provide written reports for Crown or Magistrates Courts or to attend and give verbal evidence as required. To offer considered recommendations to these bodies.o Responsible for participating in the setting of quality standards, including the auditing, monitoring and reviewing of practice in line with current clinical guidance practice and policy.o Assess patient's individual care needs, agree and refer on to appropriate agency.o Complete and contribute, where appropriate to robust risk assessments and risk management plans. Deliver and promote positive risk taking, where appropriate, to improve quality of life and maximise occupational performance/independence. o Maintain an effective reporting system by observing and reporting verbally and in writing on patient conditions.o Utilise agreed outcome measures to review the effectiveness of process, as part of Health and Justice Service.o Participate in the development of the service to ensure clinical governance processes are actively implemented at team level.o Assist in ensuring that the aims and objectives of the service (as set by the Team Leader) are fulfilled and to identify factors which may inhibit these from being achieved.

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details

Date posted

10 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

301-RJ-26-7915295

Job locations

Brighton Custody Suite (Expected to work across other custody suites in Sussex when required)

Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury

Brighton, Sussex

BN1 8AP


Job description

Job responsibilities

**Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details on this role.**

Job description

Job responsibilities

**Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details on this role.**

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse / Learning Disability Nurse/General Nurse on NMC Register.
  • Registered Social Worker.
  • Post-registration experience, evidence of formal courses and training at diploma/degree level.
  • Conforms to NMC requirements.
  • Evidence of accredited formal post graduate education.
  • Registered Mentor.

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of extensive post registration experience with working with Clients experiencing mental health related difficulties Experience of working with Clients who have difficulty in engaging with services and have complex mental health needs.
  • Experience of working in community setting and making decisions autonomously.
  • Experience of assessing, planning, co-ordinating and managing people with mental health problems in a community setting.
  • Experience of integrating care delivery across multi-disciplinary /multi agency teams.
  • Experience and ability to carry out clinical audit.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge of the Mental Health NICE Guidelines.
  • Knowledge of NMC Code of Conduct.
  • Understanding of the principles of the Care Programme Approach and Community Care Act.
  • Demonstrate understanding of Equality and Anti-discriminatory practice.
  • Range of Interpersonal skills, (communication, listening, working collaboratively) maintaining good working relationships with service users/carers, other service providers and agencies.
  • Ability to manage staff/support workers and to incorporate management/leadership skills into practice including: promoting positivity, supporting innovation, management of performance, delegation and caseload and clinical supervision.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour.
  • Passion for working with adults experiencing mental health difficulties and other vulnerabilities.
  • Be able to meet the travel requirements of the community role with suitable vehicle insurance where applicable.
Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Registered Mental Health Nurse / Learning Disability Nurse/General Nurse on NMC Register.
  • Registered Social Worker.
  • Post-registration experience, evidence of formal courses and training at diploma/degree level.
  • Conforms to NMC requirements.
  • Evidence of accredited formal post graduate education.
  • Registered Mentor.

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of extensive post registration experience with working with Clients experiencing mental health related difficulties Experience of working with Clients who have difficulty in engaging with services and have complex mental health needs.
  • Experience of working in community setting and making decisions autonomously.
  • Experience of assessing, planning, co-ordinating and managing people with mental health problems in a community setting.
  • Experience of integrating care delivery across multi-disciplinary /multi agency teams.
  • Experience and ability to carry out clinical audit.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge of the Mental Health NICE Guidelines.
  • Knowledge of NMC Code of Conduct.
  • Understanding of the principles of the Care Programme Approach and Community Care Act.
  • Demonstrate understanding of Equality and Anti-discriminatory practice.
  • Range of Interpersonal skills, (communication, listening, working collaboratively) maintaining good working relationships with service users/carers, other service providers and agencies.
  • Ability to manage staff/support workers and to incorporate management/leadership skills into practice including: promoting positivity, supporting innovation, management of performance, delegation and caseload and clinical supervision.

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Exemplary personal standards of conduct and behaviour.
  • Passion for working with adults experiencing mental health difficulties and other vulnerabilities.
  • Be able to meet the travel requirements of the community role with suitable vehicle insurance where applicable.

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

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Brighton Custody Suite (Expected to work across other custody suites in Sussex when required)

Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury

Brighton, Sussex

BN1 8AP


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Brighton Custody Suite (Expected to work across other custody suites in Sussex when required)

Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury

Brighton, Sussex

BN1 8AP


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Custody Team Lead

Louise Parry

Louise.parry@mpft.nhs.uk

07388994246

Details

Date posted

10 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

301-RJ-26-7915295

Job locations

Brighton Custody Suite (Expected to work across other custody suites in Sussex when required)

Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury

Brighton, Sussex

BN1 8AP


Supporting documents

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