Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a forward thinking and motivated senior mental health practitioner to work within the Police and court services across north and central London sites which is part of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust. The post holder will remain flexible working across the north and central London sites which include police custody suites, Crown and Magistrate's Court's and British Transport Police stations over a total of nine sites. The post holder will provide an all age autonomous screening and assessment service at the respective sites; respond professionally to requests for information and assistance; utilise their discretion as an independent professional and understand the importance of partnership working within the police and court services. An excellent awareness of the care pathway for vulnerable children and adults is essential when undertaking the mental health practitioner role within Liaison and Diversion services.
The service is currently under a tender procurement process and subject to operational re-design
Main duties of the job
You will be able to undertake comprehensive mental health and risk assessments; develop effective risk management plans, provide brief interventions and be confident in signposting individuals whom come through the range of services and require follow up outside of the scope of Liaison and Diversion services. Knowledge of broader mental health services is important in delivering this role in an effective manner and there is an emphasis on working with other professional disciplines, sharing knowledge and skills whilst advocating for the service user. Understanding of relevant legislation is important within this role.
The post holder will have excellent awareness of confidentiality and information sharing guidelines at all times. This information may be both complex and sensitive and require excellent communication and negotiation skills to provide the service as an autonomous and independent senior practitioner within these environments. The applicant will be responsible for assessment of information in partnership with the criminal justice system and other agencies to determine the level of risk to people with mental health issues or other vulnerabilities.
About us
The partnership between Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust (BEH)andCamden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (C&I)is going from strength to strength since it was originally established in 2021 forming theNorth London Mental Health Partnership.
The postholder will need to be comfortable working in an environment of complex matrix management arrangements and will at all times behave and align with our Trusts' values and cultural pillars:
- We are kind
- We are respectful
- We work together
- We keep things simple
- We empower
- We are proudly diverse
In order to meet the needs of the new Partnership services you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work. This may mean that you are required to work at any location that fall under Barnet, Enfield and Harringay Trust and Camden and Islington Trust. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- In essence, this service is a coordinated and integrated approach by secondary care mental health services to identify triage and engage those in police custody that present with either existing or acute health or social vulnerabilities, and to provide earlier intervention within the mentally disordered offender pathway. This service is for people of all ages.
- The enhancement and development of relationships within criminal justice services and building strong links between Healthcare, Social Services and the Criminal Justice system itself is an essential part of the post holders role.
- A team of autonomous mental health liaison workers are based within custody suites across Camden, Islington, and Haringey feeding into Wood Green Crown Court and Highbury Corner Magistrates Court with support and supervision provided by the Clinical and Operational Leads. Liaison and Diversion support is also provided to the British Transport Police based at three sites over central and north London.
- Their role is to screen individuals identified as having mental health problems, and any other vulnerabilities, provide on-going assessment (including awareness and understanding of other factors including physical health, use of drugs and alcohol, learning difficulties and speech, language and communication issues), immediate case management and to formalize timely and sensitive sharing of information between police, court and mental health services.
- Additionally, we are seeking to develop innovative approaches to working with mental health services, both locally and across London, for example, through attendance at community teams, linking with YOTs and CAMHS services, participating in service reviews and recording information that demonstrates and supports the benefits of liaison and diversion.
This is not an exhaustive list, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- In essence, this service is a coordinated and integrated approach by secondary care mental health services to identify triage and engage those in police custody that present with either existing or acute health or social vulnerabilities, and to provide earlier intervention within the mentally disordered offender pathway. This service is for people of all ages.
- The enhancement and development of relationships within criminal justice services and building strong links between Healthcare, Social Services and the Criminal Justice system itself is an essential part of the post holders role.
- A team of autonomous mental health liaison workers are based within custody suites across Camden, Islington, and Haringey feeding into Wood Green Crown Court and Highbury Corner Magistrates Court with support and supervision provided by the Clinical and Operational Leads. Liaison and Diversion support is also provided to the British Transport Police based at three sites over central and north London.
- Their role is to screen individuals identified as having mental health problems, and any other vulnerabilities, provide on-going assessment (including awareness and understanding of other factors including physical health, use of drugs and alcohol, learning difficulties and speech, language and communication issues), immediate case management and to formalize timely and sensitive sharing of information between police, court and mental health services.
- Additionally, we are seeking to develop innovative approaches to working with mental health services, both locally and across London, for example, through attendance at community teams, linking with YOTs and CAMHS services, participating in service reviews and recording information that demonstrates and supports the benefits of liaison and diversion.
This is not an exhaustive list, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.
Person Specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice
- RMN/Degree/Diploma in Nursing
- CQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social Work
- Occupational Therapy registration
Desirable
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Significant experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
- Experience in acute adult or CAMHS, multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
- A good understanding of recovery principles, the care programme approach and the role of secondary mental health services in the delivery of care
Desirable
- Experience of giving written and oral evidence in a court or tribunal setting
- experience of working within the criminal justice system
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including presentation of cases
- Ability to treat Service Users with respect and dignity, being culturally sensitive as appropriate, and consider the needs of the whole person
- Ability to manage autonomously within the criminal justice system as a silo worker
Desirable
- Ability to manage conflicts within the criminal justice system achieving the best outcomes for those referred
Person Specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice
- RMN/Degree/Diploma in Nursing
- CQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social Work
- Occupational Therapy registration
Desirable
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Significant experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
- Experience in acute adult or CAMHS, multi-disciplinary community mental health services.
- A good understanding of recovery principles, the care programme approach and the role of secondary mental health services in the delivery of care
Desirable
- Experience of giving written and oral evidence in a court or tribunal setting
- experience of working within the criminal justice system
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, carers and relatives about complex and sensitive issues remaining sensitive and empathetic
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including presentation of cases
- Ability to treat Service Users with respect and dignity, being culturally sensitive as appropriate, and consider the needs of the whole person
- Ability to manage autonomously within the criminal justice system as a silo worker
Desirable
- Ability to manage conflicts within the criminal justice system achieving the best outcomes for those referred
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).
