Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Liaison Psychiatry Practitioner

The closing date is 21 January 2026

Job summary

Surrey and Borders is looking for someone who is passionate about ensuring a high-quality holistic approach to the care and support provided to people with mental health difficulties in the general hospital. You will be ensuring an accessible, non-stigmatising and localised service that responds to and meets the needs of people who may have mental health problems in the district general hospital

Working Pattern: 12 Hours shifts

Main duties of the job

  • To carry out biopsychosocial assessments of people referred to the Liaison service from a variety of sources within the General Hospital, including the emergency department and Medical Wards.
  • To work with people presenting with a range of psychosocial needs arising in the context of physical illness, as well as people presenting to the hospital following self-harm or in a mental health crisis
  • To provide rapid psychiatric assessment and safe discharge planning in the Emergency Department.
  • To agree on a collaborative plan of care with people who use our services and their carers where appropriate and arrange appropriate after-care
  • To ensure that the relatives, carers and friends are actively encouraged to participate in care, provided with information, help and support where necessary
  • To mentor, supervise and teach qualified and unqualified staff including students
  • To assist in the development and maintenance of good working relationships with general hospital staff, local mental health services, primary care and non - statutory organisations
  • To facilitate the teaching and training of mental health topics in the general hospital
  • To work flexibly across 24 hours, 7 days a week as the liaison service develops to ensure the service level agreement is met and the changing needs of people who use the service in the hospital are met.

About us

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill-health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We also provide social care services for people with a learning disability in Croydon and ASD and ADHD assessment services in Hampshire.

We actively seek to engage people who use our services and our communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organizations who provide services and support people who use services and carers.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.

Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach.

For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Would you like to work in an organisation that sits in the top 10 best NHS Mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Services Trusts to work for?This ranking is based on staff feedback in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

Details

Date posted

14 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£25.01 an hour Per hour

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

384-SM- Psychiatry Practic

Job locations

East Surrey Hospital, Redwood Annex,

Canada Drive, Redhill

Surrey

RH1 5RH


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Deliver person-centred mental health care using advanced clinical judgement and specialist skills appropriate to individual needs and settings.

  • Undertake comprehensive psychiatric and psychosocial assessments, including full risk assessments to self and others.

  • Coordinate, monitor, and review care plans for a designated caseload, adapting interventions in response to clinical change.

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate robust discharge and transition plans, including urgent referrals to secondary care, social services, and voluntary agencies.

  • Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to assess needs, plan care, and respond effectively to deterioration or crisis.

  • Provide therapeutic interventions, emotional support, and stability while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

  • Act as a role model for high-quality mental health care within the general hospital or community setting.

  • Maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant clinical records in line with Trust policies.

  • Communicate effectively with service users, carers, families, referrers, GPs, and partner agencies.

  • Ensure communication is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and adapted to individuals understanding and needs.

  • Obtain informed consent for assessments and interventions in a meaningful and ethical manner.

  • Identify and address communication barriers to improve engagement and outcomes.

  • Share assessment findings and discharge plans appropriately with relevant professionals in line with service expectations.

  • Identify, assess, and manage a wide range of clinical and environmental risks relevant to the service user group.

  • Implement risk management strategies in accordance with Trust and local safeguarding policies.

  • Recognise and respond promptly to crisis situations, escalating concerns and seeking support when required.

  • Safeguard vulnerable adults and children by identifying abuse risks and following appropriate referral pathways.

  • Ensure the safety and wellbeing of service users, staff, visitors, and the public through adherence to health, safety, and security policies.

  • Address health education needs that reduce risk and promote safer outcomes for service users.

  • Contribute to the development, monitoring, and maintenance of service standards and clinical policies.

  • Collect, analyse, and report data for audit, research, and service performance monitoring.

  • Identify areas for service improvement and contribute to planning, implementation, and evaluation of change.

  • Promote shared decision-making and meaningful involvement of service users and carers in care planning.

  • Raise concerns appropriately and contribute constructively to a positive image of the team, service, and Trust.

  • Ensure care delivery aligns with evidence-based practice, policy, and risk management frameworks.

  • Act as a professional role model and provide guidance and support to junior staff and learners.

  • Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal, and reflective practice to enhance performance.

  • Support the induction, orientation, and ongoing development of new staff.

  • Contribute to mentorship and teaching of students in line with NMC standards.

  • Support structures for effective appraisal, performance management, and professional development within the team.

  • Maintain professional practice in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct.

  • Take responsibility for ongoing professional development, identifying learning needs and maintaining a professional portfolio.

  • Attend mandatory and essential Trust training.

  • Uphold confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional integrity at all times.

  • Support recruitment, deployment, and day-to-day management of staff in line with Trust policy.

  • Assist the team leader in maintaining safe staffing levels and effective rostering.

  • Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Orders, financial instructions, policies, and procedures.

  • Promote a safe, inclusive, and diverse working environment.

  • Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and performance management activities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Deliver person-centred mental health care using advanced clinical judgement and specialist skills appropriate to individual needs and settings.

  • Undertake comprehensive psychiatric and psychosocial assessments, including full risk assessments to self and others.

  • Coordinate, monitor, and review care plans for a designated caseload, adapting interventions in response to clinical change.

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate robust discharge and transition plans, including urgent referrals to secondary care, social services, and voluntary agencies.

  • Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to assess needs, plan care, and respond effectively to deterioration or crisis.

  • Provide therapeutic interventions, emotional support, and stability while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

  • Act as a role model for high-quality mental health care within the general hospital or community setting.

  • Maintain accurate, timely, and legally compliant clinical records in line with Trust policies.

  • Communicate effectively with service users, carers, families, referrers, GPs, and partner agencies.

  • Ensure communication is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and adapted to individuals understanding and needs.

  • Obtain informed consent for assessments and interventions in a meaningful and ethical manner.

  • Identify and address communication barriers to improve engagement and outcomes.

  • Share assessment findings and discharge plans appropriately with relevant professionals in line with service expectations.

  • Identify, assess, and manage a wide range of clinical and environmental risks relevant to the service user group.

  • Implement risk management strategies in accordance with Trust and local safeguarding policies.

  • Recognise and respond promptly to crisis situations, escalating concerns and seeking support when required.

  • Safeguard vulnerable adults and children by identifying abuse risks and following appropriate referral pathways.

  • Ensure the safety and wellbeing of service users, staff, visitors, and the public through adherence to health, safety, and security policies.

  • Address health education needs that reduce risk and promote safer outcomes for service users.

  • Contribute to the development, monitoring, and maintenance of service standards and clinical policies.

  • Collect, analyse, and report data for audit, research, and service performance monitoring.

  • Identify areas for service improvement and contribute to planning, implementation, and evaluation of change.

  • Promote shared decision-making and meaningful involvement of service users and carers in care planning.

  • Raise concerns appropriately and contribute constructively to a positive image of the team, service, and Trust.

  • Ensure care delivery aligns with evidence-based practice, policy, and risk management frameworks.

  • Act as a professional role model and provide guidance and support to junior staff and learners.

  • Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal, and reflective practice to enhance performance.

  • Support the induction, orientation, and ongoing development of new staff.

  • Contribute to mentorship and teaching of students in line with NMC standards.

  • Support structures for effective appraisal, performance management, and professional development within the team.

  • Maintain professional practice in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Conduct.

  • Take responsibility for ongoing professional development, identifying learning needs and maintaining a professional portfolio.

  • Attend mandatory and essential Trust training.

  • Uphold confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional integrity at all times.

  • Support recruitment, deployment, and day-to-day management of staff in line with Trust policy.

  • Assist the team leader in maintaining safe staffing levels and effective rostering.

  • Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Orders, financial instructions, policies, and procedures.

  • Promote a safe, inclusive, and diverse working environment.

  • Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and performance management activities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional Qualification as RMN/RN (Mental Health) or Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with professional registration (NMC/HCPC)
  • Willingness to complete Mentorship course

Experience

Essential

  • 1 years' experience post qualification working with people with mental health problems
  • Independent assessment skills
  • Evidence of CPD

Knowledge

Essential

  • System One
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional Qualification as RMN/RN (Mental Health) or Occupational Therapist or Social Worker with professional registration (NMC/HCPC)
  • Willingness to complete Mentorship course

Experience

Essential

  • 1 years' experience post qualification working with people with mental health problems
  • Independent assessment skills
  • Evidence of CPD

Knowledge

Essential

  • System One

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).

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

East Surrey Hospital, Redwood Annex,

Canada Drive, Redhill

Surrey

RH1 5RH


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

East Surrey Hospital, Redwood Annex,

Canada Drive, Redhill

Surrey

RH1 5RH


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Manager

Justine Marino

Justine.marino@sabp.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

14 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£25.01 an hour Per hour

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

384-SM- Psychiatry Practic

Job locations

East Surrey Hospital, Redwood Annex,

Canada Drive, Redhill

Surrey

RH1 5RH


Supporting documents

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