Are you someone looking to start a career in one of the UKs most respected mental health trusts? Would you like to do a job that makes a difference every day?

We are looking for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join the Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion (CJL& D) team based at Charles Cross police custody, Plymouth. We are looking for someone with a wide range of experience from a background of social work, mental health/learning disability nursing, CAMHS, or Occupational Therapy. The role is dynamic and challenging.

CJL& D is a different service from other community MH services. We are an all age service and sit at the start of someone's pathway through the criminal justice (CJ) process when they come to the attention of the police and are arrested. Practitioners conduct triage assessments, signpost and support the person on their journey through the CJ pathway until an outcome is reached. We work with people with all vulnerabilities, eg substance misuse, homelessness, social issues, Learning disability and Mental Health. The aim of the service is to improve health and wellbeing, reduce vulnerability, and the risk of re-offending. This is not a care co-ordination role, practitioners have to use many skills to achieve positive outcomes for the people that use the service.

The post holder will contribute to the clinical leadership of the team, providing supervision for other members and participating in team and service development, and evaluation.

Main duties of the job

You will often work under pressure and without direct supervision, so we are looking for someone confident and capable, With experience of working in the community. You will prioritise tasks, and manage your own workload, providing support for your colleagues where required.

You will work as part of a multi-agency team, working alongside the police and Criminal Justice Professionals. Undertake effective psycho-social assessments, and brief targeted interventions for people coming into contact with Criminal Justice through police custody, courts and probation, individuals with offending histories, combined with a wide range of mental health and social problems, who may also have co-existing complex needs including homelessness, substance misuse, significant risk to self or others, are socially excluded, and who at times may present with extremely challenging behaviours. Signposting to other agencies and supporting these individuals through the criminal justice process.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile making time for people challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details on this role.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience of managing a busy caseload of clients with a range of mental health problems.
• Working within a community mental health setting in either the statutory or voluntary sector.
• Ability to assess and co-ordinate care that includes physical health, Learning Disability, substance misuse presentations (adults and young people).
• Providing clinical supervision.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment.
• Participation in user involvement in services.

Desirable

• Experience of working with young people.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills including the ability to engage with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health problems and associated vulnerabilities.
• Able to produce well written reports.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of professionals from various settings.
• IT Skills.
• Able to own problems and get involved in the solutions.
• Ability to manage risk.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to use own initiative and to work independently.
• Ability to assess situations quickly and decide upon the appropriate course of action.
• Good general standard of health.
• Full car driving licence and ability to be mobile across a geographical area.

Qualifications

Desirable

• Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism.
• Clinical Supervision qualification.
• Training to level 3 in Safeguarding children and young people: roles and competencies for Health Care staff.

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of the NSF and Mental Health Act/ Mental Health Capacity Act requirements.
• CPA Process
• An awareness of other relevant legislation, e.g. Childrens Act, Criminal Justice, Housing, Benefits, Social Care.

Desirable

• Understanding of the Criminal Justice System and potential challenges offenders presenting with mental health issues have in accessing mental health services and the impact this has on the individual and society.
• Awareness of community structures and social care management responsibilities.
• Understanding of recovery principles in Mental Health.
• An awareness of Health and Criminal Justice Organisations working with Adults & young people e.g. Probation, Youth Offending Services (YOS), Mental Health & Learning Disability Services, Drug & Alcohol services, Child & Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS).

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Devon & Cornwall Police

Charles Cross Roundabout

Plymouth

PL4 8HG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9369-23-0650