Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Liaison and Diversion Practitioner - Isle of Wight

The closing date is 13 March 2026

Job summary

We are recruiting a qualified practitioner to join the award-winning Hampshire & Isle of Wight Liaison and Diversion Service, based on the Isle of Wight. We've been recognised with a number of awards, including a Thames Valley/Hampshire Constabulary Police Commendation, Berkshire Healthcare 'Team of the Year' and runner-up for the Howard League for Penal Reform 'Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year'.

You will provide specialist assessment, formulation and intervention for individuals involved in the criminal justice system who often present with complex needs including mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness and social exclusion.

You will hold and manage a defined caseload and work autonomously within professional guidelines. You will undertake comprehensive assessments, contribute to risk assessments and risk management plans, and provide professional advice to police, probation, courts and partner agencies.

Please note: Applicants should ideally reside on the Isle of Wight, those living off-island must be able to commute to and from the island which requires ferry travel. Candidates should carefully consider travel time, costs and weather-related disruptions when applying.

Applications for this vacancy will be considered in the order in which they are received, the vacancy may close early if the right candidate is found. We recommend you apply today to ensure you don't miss out on starting your journey with us!

Main duties of the job

About the Job:

  • To attend police custody suites and magistrates' courts and provide assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential health vulnerability has been identified.

  • To provide the police and court with written and verbal information pertaining to the - individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.

  • To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court and probation acting as a single point of contact for health.

  • To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.

Working pattern + Service operating hours

Our service operates in police custody from 0900-1700, 7 days a week over the whole year. This would include two weekends per calendar month. Our service does not operate at night. Any request for specific working pattens can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.

Work base:

You will work from primarily Newport Police station and Newport magistrates Court. We encourage applicant visits to our base, all suitable applicants will be invited for an informal visit before being booked in for interview.

Parking:

Parking is provided for staff at all sites.

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

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-TAPMHS970-A

Job locations

Newport Police Station

Newport

PO30 1SZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for you to be considered for this role:

  • A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy,Speech & Language, Health Visitoror Social Work along with relevant registration

  • At least 18months post registration experience

  • Licence holder with access to your own vehicle.

  • This post is subject to police vetting which requires that you have been a resident within the UK for a period of three years

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.

Werecommitted 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.Pleasedonthesitate to call: Pauline OCallaghan on 07584 385 403 or email:Pauline.OCallaghan@berkshire.nhs.ukwhollbe delighted to help.Alternatively, you can also contact Clinical and Operational Lead Jessica Hillman on 0300 123 5066 or email: Jessica.Hillman@berkshire.nhs.uk.

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

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for you to be considered for this role:

  • A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy,Speech & Language, Health Visitoror Social Work along with relevant registration

  • At least 18months post registration experience

  • Licence holder with access to your own vehicle.

  • This post is subject to police vetting which requires that you have been a resident within the UK for a period of three years

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.

Werecommitted 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.Pleasedonthesitate to call: Pauline OCallaghan on 07584 385 403 or email:Pauline.OCallaghan@berkshire.nhs.ukwhollbe delighted to help.Alternatively, you can also contact Clinical and Operational Lead Jessica Hillman on 0300 123 5066 or email: Jessica.Hillman@berkshire.nhs.uk.

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

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health nursing, Learning Disability nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapist , Social Work or Health Visitor with the necessary experience
  • Hold current registration with pertinent body (RMN, RNLD, SW, SALT, OT)

Desirable

  • Evidence of post registration training and development
  • Mentorship qualification or equivalent teaching qualification.

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Ability to work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to think creatively and problem solve
  • Ability to work as part a team

Desirable

  • Significant experience and a minimum of 18 months at Band 5 or equivalent in a community setting.
  • Training / presentation skills
  • Ability to teach junior staff and students

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • An ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations
  • Ability to work effectively with service users and carers in a collaborative manner
  • Understanding of the theories underpinning the concept of recovery and the wider determinants of health
  • Knowledge of the criminal justice system

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Professional in approach, manner and appearance.
  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
  • Car owner / driver

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of modern mental health services; social inclusion, recovery, service user involvement, carer support

Desirable

  • Further evidence of professional development and training
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health nursing, Learning Disability nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapist , Social Work or Health Visitor with the necessary experience
  • Hold current registration with pertinent body (RMN, RNLD, SW, SALT, OT)

Desirable

  • Evidence of post registration training and development
  • Mentorship qualification or equivalent teaching qualification.

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Ability to work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to think creatively and problem solve
  • Ability to work as part a team

Desirable

  • Significant experience and a minimum of 18 months at Band 5 or equivalent in a community setting.
  • Training / presentation skills
  • Ability to teach junior staff and students

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • An ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations
  • Ability to work effectively with service users and carers in a collaborative manner
  • Understanding of the theories underpinning the concept of recovery and the wider determinants of health
  • Knowledge of the criminal justice system

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Professional in approach, manner and appearance.
  • Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
  • Car owner / driver

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of modern mental health services; social inclusion, recovery, service user involvement, carer support

Desirable

  • Further evidence of professional development and training

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

Newport Police Station

Newport

PO30 1SZ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Newport Police Station

Newport

PO30 1SZ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Manager

Pauline O'Callaghan

Pauline.OCallaghan@berkshire.nhs.uk

07827270648

Details

Date posted

13 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-TAPMHS970-A

Job locations

Newport Police Station

Newport

PO30 1SZ


Supporting documents

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