Court Liaison & Diversion Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Clinically, the post holder will:

Be able to assess an individuals mental state and risk, and within the context of the alleged offence and the criminal justice system implement a care pathway for each service user.

Proactively screen and receive reports from custody suites, responding in a timely manner to prioritise assessment of detained people deemed to have health or social vulnerabilities.

Possess the appropriate knowledge regarding legal issues, court procedures and the role of other professions.

Provide specialist advice and liaison to all colleagues encountered within health settings, social services and professions within the criminal justice system.

Conduct thorough mental state and risk assessments and the collection of background history for individuals presenting with a wide variety of needs. These may include those with a serious mental illness or personality disorder, plus associated learning, social, personal, dependency and substance misuse issues.

Prepare accurate written reports following assessment, in line with agreed quality standards.

Make safe clinical judgements in court on situations as they arise, or change.

Take appropriate measures to ensure personal safety and that of patients, colleagues and the general public.

Possess a high standard of interpersonal skills required to manage the complex and often conflicting focus and needs of those involved in the process-both detainee and criminal justice agencies.

Develop and maintain effective communication pathways with the main court departments and criminal justice agencies: list office, clerks, judiciary, CPS, probation, PECS, defence teams, police and prison service.

Appropriately access confidential multi-agency sensitive information and be aware of the potential public and media interest that this may generate, dealing with these issues in line with Trust policies regarding confidentiality.

Facilitate appropriate signposting and onward referral, and/or provide interventions in close collaboration and liaison with other relevant agencies based on a good working knowledge and understanding of local services.

Facilitate appropriate diversion to mental health services as necessary. Awareness of admission pathways and MHA processes are essential.

Provide awareness training for the judiciary, court staff, prosecution and defence representatives, probation and other staff regarding court assessments and liaison and diversion services.

Understand and follow the rules, regulations and protocols as specified by the Magistrates Court.

Participate in multi-disciplinary team/business meetings and huddles.

Maintain attendance and participation at appropriate clinical forums whenever possible.

Ensure that the Liaison service provided is sensitive to individual needs, paying particular attention to their ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Seek out appropriate opportunities to contribute to the delivery of health education and promotion within the community.

Ensure that appropriate staff are fully briefed of any referral that may give rise to clinical or other concerns.

Advise on prescribed medication as and when necessary, monitoring effects of prescribed medication in conjunction with court FMEs and HCPs.

Ensure that nursing practice is in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and mental health legislation, which incorporates and respects differences in respect of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, culture and disability.

Encourage shared knowledge and skills within the clinical area to sustain a supportive learning environment.

Be responsible for the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programs of care for patients, incorporating risk assessment, to ensure safe and acceptable standards of care.

Be responsible for the maintenance and accurate recording of patient information in the documentation systems and to ensure the effective dissemination of patient information throughout multidisciplinary teams and partners.

Ensure effective working relationships and review of working practices within the multidisciplinary team, other professionals and all relevant agencies the team works in collaboration with.

Comply with required Trust and national Safeguarding Adults and Childrens policies, ensuring that you have the required knowledge and skills to work within these procedures to support the safety of vulnerable adults and children.

Recognise the role of advocacy, promoting the concept of autonomy and self-empowerment where possible and ensuring other members of the team work in concordance with this.

Contribute to the induction of new staff, participate actively within educational programs for staff and to evaluate and identify your own educational needs, insuring professional updating and development takes place as appropriate.

Assist the Lead and Data Administrator with the collection of monthly and quarterly audit data as per Trust and Commissioning requirements.

Participate in audit and research to enhance service development and Trust provision.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILTIES:

Comply with relevant policies and procedures pertaining to the East London NHS Foundation Trust services, as well as the procedures laid down by the hosting establishments (Police Stations and Courts).

To work within the Trust and Criminal Justice Team guidelines and policies at all times.

Contribute to the development of the service by participating in the evaluation of clinical audit.

Receive regular clinical and managerial supervision on professional practice from the Senior Practitioners and service managers.

Participate in and actively encourage the promotion of mental health awareness, by organizing and participating in seminars, lectures and workshops for other agencies (NHS staff; the Police; Universities etc.).

Receive professional visitors into the Criminal Justice Liaison pathway and provide them with informative and positive experiences.

Utilise knowledge of the principles and practice-research to create an environment where research awareness and an analytical approach to client care in the mental health Issues are valued by all staff.

Act as a constructive agent for change and managing, implementing and supporting agreed changes in line with trust strategy and policy.

Exercise professional accountability and responsibility.

Maintain an environment in which there are equal opportunities and a commitment to diversity in its broadest sense in a non-discriminatory and inclusive manner

Practice with an awareness of the legal, ethical, socio economic and organizational aspects of care and health policy.

Education/Qualification/Training.

Essential

• Registered Mental Health Nurse (Part 3 or Part 13 of NMC register), HCPC, Social Work England or an equivalent and relevant professional registration, with substantial and meaningful evidence of post-registration study.
• ENB 998 or equivalent teaching and assessing qualification

Desirable

• Educated to Degree or Diploma level Nursing; other courses relevant to Forensic and Liaison Psychiatry

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable post-qualification knowledge, skills and experience in mental health crisis care
• Risk assessment and management.
• Application of The Mental Health Act (2007)
• Understanding of Mental Capacity Act (2005)
• Computer literacy.
• Evidence of an active interest in further professional development.
• Ability to formulate care plans and packages of care.
• Ability to co-ordinate care across health and justice pathways.
• Assessment and management of intentional self-harm and complex emotional needs
• Ability to engage challenging and/or acutely distressed patients in potentially hostile and/or antagonised situations and use de-escalation techniques effectively maintaining dignity and respect

Desirable

• Experience of autonomous/lone working.
• Other post registration experience relevant to the criminal justice liaison role.
• Previous experience and participation in audit and research.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Ability to network, collaborate and liaise with other associated agencies and providers.
• Ability to engage in a supportive team role.
• Ability to deal with challenging situations and communicate effectively with patients.
• Ability and confidence to hold responsibility for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating standards of care within the Liaison and Diversion scheme
• Ability to work independently and autonomously.
• Ability to write reports and clinical assessments including decisions, actions and outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills, both in oral and written forms.
• Excellent computer skills, including the ability to access and maintain electronic health and statistical records
• Specialist knowledge of Mental Health Act 1983 Part II and Part III (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007).

Desirable

• Ability to lead and manage others in the provision of care.
• Knowledge of Criminal Justice System and the needs of Mentally Disordered Offenders, e.g. PACE Code
• Relevant knowledge and experience of working with adults with learning difficulties and disability.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).