Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled practitioner with an interest and/or experience in the criminal justice system to be an integral part of both a court liaison and diversion team and a police custody suite assessment team. You will be working with both adults and young people, within what is a very interesting and rewarding area of care that is continuing to develop further.
As a front-line service, each day can be different in what can be a busy and unpredictable environment.
We are looking for a skilled and confident individual who has experience of complex assessments (including assessment of risk), decision making and who is adept at building relationships with service users and professional partners.
The successful applicant will work across the service in order to help identify individuals who present with vulnerabilities that may include mental health issues, neurodevelopmental disorders, substance misuse and who may present with a degree of risk.
The service ethos is to proactively intervene at the earliest possible opportunity in the Criminal Justice system pathway, so that those in need of support receive appropriate care and treatment in a timely fashion.
Main duties of the job
As a Liaison and Diversion Practitioner, some of the responsibilities you can expect will include:
- Proactive screening of cases in police custody or at court.
- On-the-day triaging and assessment - including full mental state examinations, risk assessment and gathering of background history for individuals presenting with a wide variety of established or suspected needs. These can include anxiety, challenging behaviour, serious mental illness, personality disorder, learning disorders, social communication and language difficulties, substance misuse and associated social issues within police custody.
- Assisting detainees who present with urgent and non-urgent clinical issues that may include onward referrals for a Mental Health Act assessment.
- Providing advice, information and support to custody/court personnel.
- Provision of written assessment summaries to police, court and other relevant agencies.
- Liaising with CAMHS, YOT practitioners or other relevant agencies for young people.
- Recording data for regular auditing and evaluation.
- Act as a positive role model for junior staff and custody partners in their day to day practice and the supervision and professional development of junior staff.
- Enhancing and developing relationships within Criminal Justice Services and building strong links between Health, Social Services and the Criminal Justice System
- A deputy function for the Operational Lead when needed.
Some weekend working and shift work is involved in the role.
About us
South London and Maudsley Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is responsible for providing NHS care and treatment for people with wide ranging vulnerabilities.
Locally, we deliver mental health services for people living in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; and substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Lambeth, Greenwich and Wandsworth.
Career Progression pathways and development opportunities:
We are committed to get the very best out of our staff and support staff in their career aspirations. We have career pathways available, where you will be able to develop your skills and build on your experience to progress into other roles across different specialties. This could include being a specialist practitioner at Crown Court, being an operational team lead in a Liaison and Diversion service or developing your career elsewhere in our organisation.
Within SLaM there are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes.
We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do but because it makes us better at what we do. No matter your age, gender, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, religion or sexual orientation, if you are committed to generating the best possible outcomes for our service users then we want to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work with colleagues, police, custody healthcare staff and other custody/court staff (inc Appropriate Adults) in order to provide a comprehensive and integrated vulnerability screening and assessment service.
To demonstrate strong assessment skills, solid problem solving and decision making and developing holistic and patient centred care plans whilst also being able to recognise when they may need senior clinical/managerial advice/support and to actively seek this in the clinical setting.
To facilitate appropriate signposting to/referring on, or interventions in close collaboration and liaison with other relevant agencies. Developing a good working knowledge and understanding of local services and pathways will be important in this role. This will be with the ambition of facilitating a persons diversion away from the criminal justice pathway at the earliest possible point. (The term diversion being used in its widest possible sense and includes urgent and non-urgent pathways).
Demonstrate effective communication with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, people in vulnerable groups that is inclusive, collaborative and helpful. Communication types include verbal, written and digital methods of communication.
To actively promote relationships with colleagues that support open communication and collaborative working, taking personal responsibility for one's contribution to this process at all times.
To maintain a high standard of written communication that is mindful of the readership, takes into account the legal context and will also involve recording appropriate events and observations to evidence interventions.
Proactively seek feedback on an individuals experiences of liaison and diversion to inform and shape our service.Please see the combined job description and person specification for more details of the role.
IMPORTANT
Please note this position is offered subject to a successful Police Vetting application that will enable you to enable work in custody locations. As such, you will be subjected to a significantly higher level of vetting than is standard. This vetting is conducted by the Metropolitan Police. It is essentially a detailed background check. One of the most essential criteria is that you are required to have resided in the UK for at least 3 years.
This requirement is a lengthy process that could add several months to the existing pre-employment checks that will be conducted before a start date can be agreed for this position. If you are successful at interview and we wish to take forward your application, please be assured we are really keen to have you with us and we ask you for your patience with any undue delay that is outside our control.
It is also a mandatory requirement that all staff working in a Police Custody suite, Magistrates or Crown Court must be a healthcare professional eligible to be a member of a healthcare regulatory body listed here: (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/professions-regulated-by-law-in-the-uk-and-their-regulators)
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work with colleagues, police, custody healthcare staff and other custody/court staff (inc Appropriate Adults) in order to provide a comprehensive and integrated vulnerability screening and assessment service.
To demonstrate strong assessment skills, solid problem solving and decision making and developing holistic and patient centred care plans whilst also being able to recognise when they may need senior clinical/managerial advice/support and to actively seek this in the clinical setting.
To facilitate appropriate signposting to/referring on, or interventions in close collaboration and liaison with other relevant agencies. Developing a good working knowledge and understanding of local services and pathways will be important in this role. This will be with the ambition of facilitating a persons diversion away from the criminal justice pathway at the earliest possible point. (The term diversion being used in its widest possible sense and includes urgent and non-urgent pathways).
Demonstrate effective communication with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, people in vulnerable groups that is inclusive, collaborative and helpful. Communication types include verbal, written and digital methods of communication.
To actively promote relationships with colleagues that support open communication and collaborative working, taking personal responsibility for one's contribution to this process at all times.
To maintain a high standard of written communication that is mindful of the readership, takes into account the legal context and will also involve recording appropriate events and observations to evidence interventions.
Proactively seek feedback on an individuals experiences of liaison and diversion to inform and shape our service.Please see the combined job description and person specification for more details of the role.
IMPORTANT
Please note this position is offered subject to a successful Police Vetting application that will enable you to enable work in custody locations. As such, you will be subjected to a significantly higher level of vetting than is standard. This vetting is conducted by the Metropolitan Police. It is essentially a detailed background check. One of the most essential criteria is that you are required to have resided in the UK for at least 3 years.
This requirement is a lengthy process that could add several months to the existing pre-employment checks that will be conducted before a start date can be agreed for this position. If you are successful at interview and we wish to take forward your application, please be assured we are really keen to have you with us and we ask you for your patience with any undue delay that is outside our control.
It is also a mandatory requirement that all staff working in a Police Custody suite, Magistrates or Crown Court must be a healthcare professional eligible to be a member of a healthcare regulatory body listed here: (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/professions-regulated-by-law-in-the-uk-and-their-regulators)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Nursing & Midwifery Registered and those with an equivalent mental health professional registration will be considered. (AI) It is also a mandatory requirement that all staff working in a Police Custody suite, Magistrates or Crown Court must be a healthcare professional eligible to be a member of a healthcare regulatory body listed here: (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/professions-regulated-by-law-in-the-uk-and-their-regulators)
- Educated to Degree or Diploma Level Nursing; substantial evidence of ongoing education and other courses relevant to Forensic and Liaison Psychiatry to Masters Level or equivalent
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience working in MH services, particularly in crisis management services with acutely unwell people (A+E liaison, CMHT, Home Treatment, for example). (AI)
- Experience of organising and delivering clinical supervision to junior staff along with maintenance of records (A)
- Demonstrable evidence of risk assessment/management. (AI)
- Evidence of autonomous working and/or shift coordination (AI)
Desirable
- Prior experience of working with Mentally Disordered Offenders and the Criminal Justice System (AI)
- Experience of conflict management and resolution. (AI)
- Demonstrable knowledge of Mental Health Act 1983 Part II and III (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007).
- Knowledge of counselling skills/cognitive behavioural skills and other psychosocial interventions (AI)
- Audit and research. (A)
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to plan and organise a range of complex clinical activities which require judgements to be made on competing factors (AI).
- Knowledge of mental health disorders as well as their relationships to physical disorders (AI).
- Have knowledge and skills to work with specialist groups of people, including young people, people with dual diagnoses and personality disorder (AI).
- Ability to undertake risk assessments and safety planning (includes assessment and management of intentional self-harm).
- Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile and/or antagonistic situations and use de-escalation techniques effectively.
- Ability to prioritise workload appropriately.
- An understanding of issues relating to equal opportunities and confidentiality.
- Knowledge of Data Protection Act. Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements.
Desirable
- Ability to co-ordinate care/liaise across multiple agencies
- Excellent communication skills, both in oral and written forms
- Excellent computer skills, including the ability to access and maintain electronic health and statistical records
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Nursing & Midwifery Registered and those with an equivalent mental health professional registration will be considered. (AI) It is also a mandatory requirement that all staff working in a Police Custody suite, Magistrates or Crown Court must be a healthcare professional eligible to be a member of a healthcare regulatory body listed here: (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/professions-regulated-by-law-in-the-uk-and-their-regulators)
- Educated to Degree or Diploma Level Nursing; substantial evidence of ongoing education and other courses relevant to Forensic and Liaison Psychiatry to Masters Level or equivalent
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience working in MH services, particularly in crisis management services with acutely unwell people (A+E liaison, CMHT, Home Treatment, for example). (AI)
- Experience of organising and delivering clinical supervision to junior staff along with maintenance of records (A)
- Demonstrable evidence of risk assessment/management. (AI)
- Evidence of autonomous working and/or shift coordination (AI)
Desirable
- Prior experience of working with Mentally Disordered Offenders and the Criminal Justice System (AI)
- Experience of conflict management and resolution. (AI)
- Demonstrable knowledge of Mental Health Act 1983 Part II and III (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007).
- Knowledge of counselling skills/cognitive behavioural skills and other psychosocial interventions (AI)
- Audit and research. (A)
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to plan and organise a range of complex clinical activities which require judgements to be made on competing factors (AI).
- Knowledge of mental health disorders as well as their relationships to physical disorders (AI).
- Have knowledge and skills to work with specialist groups of people, including young people, people with dual diagnoses and personality disorder (AI).
- Ability to undertake risk assessments and safety planning (includes assessment and management of intentional self-harm).
- Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile and/or antagonistic situations and use de-escalation techniques effectively.
- Ability to prioritise workload appropriately.
- An understanding of issues relating to equal opportunities and confidentiality.
- Knowledge of Data Protection Act. Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements.
Desirable
- Ability to co-ordinate care/liaise across multiple agencies
- Excellent communication skills, both in oral and written forms
- Excellent computer skills, including the ability to access and maintain electronic health and statistical records
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).
Employer details
Employer name
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Multiple police and court locations
c/o Blue Star House, 224 Stockwell Road
London
SW9 9SP
Employer's website
https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
