Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

This role will support the screening and identification of vulnerabilities of individuals, as they enter the criminal justice system. The post holder will be responsible for the screening of detained people, identifying any vulnerability. As well as this they will also offer brief intervention, advice and/or signposting to the appropriate agency for the individual.

The post holder will offer liaison with police and other appropriate agencies to ensure consistent communication take places, in order to best inform their assessment and intervention. The post holder will support the development of care plans for the individual, outlining ongoing support needs, and tailoring to the individual needs, goals and skills

The post holder will work within standard operating procedures / pathways to manage their own workload independently but with reference to a supervisor within the clinical area. In doing so, they will support the assessment of patients and implementation of programmes of care ensuring that they practice within their sphere of competence and knowledge. The post holder will work within a range of standard operating procedures and pathways in which they have received training in order to be competent.

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical

1.1. The post holder will work within agreed framework to plan, implement and evaluate clinical and/or therapeutic activities and patient response to activity.

1.2. Support and assist other staff members to deliver care as delegated and directed

1.3. The post holder will be able to make judgement involving facts or situation which may require analysis e.g. alter programmes of activities or making clinical decisions related to specific pathway of care.

1.4. Able to identify risk or changes in condition and escalating to the Senior Liaison and Diversion practitioner and/or the Clinical team manager

1.5. Complete referrals as required to professional agencies for specific treatment advice or support and to follow up with these referrals, monitoring the service user attendance at the first appointment.

1.6. Approach each individual with care, compassion and sensitivity ensuring that these values are reflected in all aspects of their role

1.7. Engages and actively involves the individual and, if appropriate, their family/carer, in their assessment, programme of treatment and/or care by using person-centred techniques to promote a culture of self-care, involvement and empowerment

1.8. Produces written and verbal communications in the form of letters, telephone calls, and face-to face meetings with other agencies in order to facilitate continuity of seamless care. For e.g Police, National Probation service, GPs, Community Mental Health teams, Social Services. Inpatient Services, Youth Offending, Voluntary Sector organisations

1.9. Prioritises their own workload and understands the boundaries of their practice; may plan tasks for others e.g. patients, the workload of more junior staff

1.10. Be responsible and accountable for clinical administration tasks and management of resources within the clinical area e.g. stock control, basic equipment cleaning, specific clinical tasks to support the smooth running of a clinic.

1.11. To comply with the organisations Infection Prevention and Control requirements, including bare below the elbows dress code for staff with a direct care delivery role.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in health or social care settings without direct supervision.
• Experience of relevant clinical area e.g. mental health, substance misuse, social care, learning disability.
• Experience of working in Criminal Justice system or with services/people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system.

Desirable

• Experience of working proactively with individuals with substance misuse problems, complex mental health problems, learning disabilities and those who are vulnerable.
• Demonstrate previous work with young people and their families.

Qualifications

Essential

• Must be willing to participate in any relevant training/qualification identified to develop skills required to carry out duties e.g. Foundation degree, Higher National Diploma.
• Care qualification to NVQ 3 or equivalent experience
• GCSE English grade 9 to 4 or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Evidence of previous learning related to clinical area to diploma level.
• Psychology/criminology degree or similar.
• Training in substance misuse.
• Training in working with young people.
• Training in complex mental health problems and/or learning disabilities.

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Displays care, compassion, sensitivity and responsiveness to other peoples feelings and needs.
• Able to work as part of a team, co-operating to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist wherever possible and appropriate appreciating the value of diversity in the workplace.
• Able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with others both internal and external to the organisation and with patients and their carers.
• Able to work under pressure, dealing with peaks and troughs in workload.
• Positive and flexible attitude to dealing with change; able to respond to the changing needs of the patient in an appropriate and timely manner;
• willing to change and accept change and to explore new ways of doing things and approaches.
• Highly motivated and reliable.
• Demonstrates values consistent with those of the Trust.
• Has a strong degree of personal integrity; able to adhere to standards of conduct based on a culture of equality and fairness.

Desirable

• Understanding of professional roles relevant to clinical area e.g. nurse, therapists, pharmacists.
• Knowledge of NHS or social care organisations/ policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of community service that are available for the vulnerabilities identified in screening and assessment, for example, housing, substance misuse, mental health, voluntary sector
• Evidence of clinical skill development.
• Reflective practice skills.