Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Head of Service CJLD

The closing date is 08 October 2025

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Job summary

Head of Liaison and Diversion Services

Band 8C

37.5 hours/week,minimum 3 x days per week service based, 2 x days flexible

Berkshire Healthcare delivers award-winning services that support people with mental health vulnerabilities within the criminal justice system. This is an exciting role for an innovative and experienced leader to head our Liaison and Diversion Services across the Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Berkshire Healthcare is one of the top three mental health and community Trusts in the country and we seek constantly to be a leader in client focussed service development. We are seeking an exceptional individual who will work directly with service teams, clients and stakeholders to take this flagship service forward under the new government initiatives in the justice system.

Note: this role requires police vetting, therefore individuals with a history of criminal conviction or legal proceedings cannot be considered, also residence in the UK for at least 3 years is required. Sponsorship is not available for this role.

Main duties of the job

  • The Head of Service (HoS) will lead Liaison and Diversion (L&D), an all-age service that identifies and supports people who have mental health, learning disability, substance misuse or other vulnerabilities who are in the criminal justice system as suspects, defendants or offenders, and the aligned service, Reconnect, which engages with adults with identified vulnerabilities, as they leave detention and reconnect with their communities.
  • This operational role is to lead the delivery of the Liaison and Diversion and Reconnect Services and the ongoing development of the service portfolio in line with local and national objectives as well as those of the Trust. The post holder will lead and manage a non-medically-led multi-professional team that operates across the Thames Valley (TV), Hampshire and Isle of Wight (IOW).
  • Leadership in the delivery of the BHFT strategy for L&D and collaboration in the integration vision for effective L&D services across the Thames Valley, Hampshire and the IOW.
  • Deliver high-quality, outcome-focused L&D and Reconnect services across Thames Valley, Hampshire and IOW.
  • Develop initiatives to improve life and health outcomes for people in or leaving the justice system.
  • Build effective pathways and broker access to appropriate services. Provide screening and mental health assessments in courts and custody to identify vulnerabilities, support diversion, and ensure protection for adults with care needs.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-MHS862-A

Job locations

Liaison and Diversion - Thames Valley

7-9 Cremyll Road

Reading

RG1 8NQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

  • Experience of service leadership in health and criminal justice services

  • Extensive knowledge of mental health and criminal justice legislation

  • Successful track record of developing innovative and/or award-winning health services

  • Committed to being present in services across the TV and Hampshire/IOW footprint with a minimum of 3 days per week service-based presence

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Bernadine Blease, Director Mental Health Specialist Services, 07920150545, bernadine.blease@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

  • Experience of service leadership in health and criminal justice services

  • Extensive knowledge of mental health and criminal justice legislation

  • Successful track record of developing innovative and/or award-winning health services

  • Committed to being present in services across the TV and Hampshire/IOW footprint with a minimum of 3 days per week service-based presence

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Bernadine Blease, Director Mental Health Specialist Services, 07920150545, bernadine.blease@berkshire.nhs.uk wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Registered professional healthcare qualification
  • Educated to master's level or equivalent experience in a health-related field
  • Detailed knowledge of current mental health and related criminal justice policies and legislation

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD), preferably in the area of responsibility

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of managing services within the health and criminal justice environments
  • Demonstrable experience of effective partnership working with other organisations at a senior level
  • Experience and successful track record in leading, managing, motivating and empowering staff to deliver whole system change and outcomes
  • Significant expertise in Finance, HR and general managerial issues requiring advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices
  • Evidence of leadership within a community environment including: a) Recruitment and selection b) Risk and Incident Reporting c) Performance management
  • Experience of managing and developing a complex and multi skilled workforce, including performance and outcome measures
  • Evidence of leading, motivating and inspiring others, and examples of personal promotion of a culture of autonomy, belonging and contribution

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and their implementation
  • Extensive working knowledge of the legislation that relates to the mental health act, criminal justice, adult social care and healthcare provision, including CQC
  • Demonstrable skills in delivering person centred services, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary justice, healthcare and community teams
  • Commercial acumen and clear understanding of market conditions and opportunities for the Trust relating to liaison and diversion and Reconnect services, including how these impact corporate risk
  • The ability to work independently on highly sensitive and contentious issues
  • Proven track record of successfully implementing organisational change.
  • High levels of effective communication, influencing and interpersonal skills Can demonstrate a creative and innovative approach to service development
  • Is able to analyse a range of complex information and present findings in written reports and verbally
  • Applies policies and procedures effectively to manage risk
  • Willingness to undertake further qualifications and develop expertise in identified areas
  • Experience of leading audits
  • Able to utilise IT and various media in order to support data collection and reporting

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate recent innovative practice
  • Able to work across service area geography to enhance quality of service provision
  • Valid full UK licence
  • Must be able to drive across and show a weekly presence at services across the South East region: service currently in Thames Valley, Hampshire and IOW
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Registered professional healthcare qualification
  • Educated to master's level or equivalent experience in a health-related field
  • Detailed knowledge of current mental health and related criminal justice policies and legislation

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD), preferably in the area of responsibility

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience of managing services within the health and criminal justice environments
  • Demonstrable experience of effective partnership working with other organisations at a senior level
  • Experience and successful track record in leading, managing, motivating and empowering staff to deliver whole system change and outcomes
  • Significant expertise in Finance, HR and general managerial issues requiring advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices
  • Evidence of leadership within a community environment including: a) Recruitment and selection b) Risk and Incident Reporting c) Performance management
  • Experience of managing and developing a complex and multi skilled workforce, including performance and outcome measures
  • Evidence of leading, motivating and inspiring others, and examples of personal promotion of a culture of autonomy, belonging and contribution

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and their implementation
  • Extensive working knowledge of the legislation that relates to the mental health act, criminal justice, adult social care and healthcare provision, including CQC
  • Demonstrable skills in delivering person centred services, working collaboratively with multidisciplinary justice, healthcare and community teams
  • Commercial acumen and clear understanding of market conditions and opportunities for the Trust relating to liaison and diversion and Reconnect services, including how these impact corporate risk
  • The ability to work independently on highly sensitive and contentious issues
  • Proven track record of successfully implementing organisational change.
  • High levels of effective communication, influencing and interpersonal skills Can demonstrate a creative and innovative approach to service development
  • Is able to analyse a range of complex information and present findings in written reports and verbally
  • Applies policies and procedures effectively to manage risk
  • Willingness to undertake further qualifications and develop expertise in identified areas
  • Experience of leading audits
  • Able to utilise IT and various media in order to support data collection and reporting

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate recent innovative practice
  • Able to work across service area geography to enhance quality of service provision
  • Valid full UK licence
  • Must be able to drive across and show a weekly presence at services across the South East region: service currently in Thames Valley, Hampshire and IOW

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

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Liaison and Diversion - Thames Valley

7-9 Cremyll Road

Reading

RG1 8NQ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Liaison and Diversion - Thames Valley

7-9 Cremyll Road

Reading

RG1 8NQ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Divisional Director

Bernadine Blease

bernadine.blease@berkshire.nhs.uk

07920150545

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-MHS862-A

Job locations

Liaison and Diversion - Thames Valley

7-9 Cremyll Road

Reading

RG1 8NQ


Supporting documents

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