We are looking for experienced Mental Health Practitioners (RMNs, RNLDs, Social Workers, OTs) to join the Advice and Support in Custody and Courts (ASCC) a Liaison and Diversion service offering assessment and support and to individuals within Police Custody suites covering Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. We operate under an all vulnerabilities model, identifying care pathways for individuals with a wide range of support needs, including mental health needs, substance misuse issues, learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be working with people within the criminal justice system, where a potential mental health need is suspected and further assessment is indicated, to inform disposal of the case and to identify robust care pathways. This involves a commitment to close partnership working with both statutory and voluntary sector agencies, and a commitment to working with a complex and diverse range of individuals with varying needs. The post holder will be expected to supervise the Support, Time and Recovery Workers and advise on the more complex cases.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B& NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and lived experience, and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To attend Court or Custody suite, and provide mental health assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential mental health need has been identified.

To provide the Court and/or Police with appropriate written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal of the case.

Prepare comprehensive health and social circumstances reports where indicated in a specified time frame.

To work closely and build links with all referring agencies acting as a single point of contact within the Criminal Justice System.

To address the Court in person when necessary in order to advise the Court in the disposal, and care pathway of a particular case.

To refer to appropriate services for the identified needs of the service user.

To make recommendation to Court, whether criminal justice system remains involved or diversion is indicated.

To build a good working knowledge of the Mental Health Act in relation to the Courts and the criminal justice system.

Where diversion is indicated, to facilitate Mental Health Act assessments at the Court or in Custody in conjunction with the AWP Assessment teams.

To refer to the prison mental health teams where custody is indicated ensuring appropriate information is received along the care pathway.

To provide specialist advice and service to Probation and the custody suites where indicated.

To provide mental health information to Probation in the formulation of their pre-sentence reports, where a potential mental health need has been identified.

To be responsible for adhering to all Trust Policies and procedures.

To be able to communicate clearly with a diverse group of service users.

To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload. Take accountability for own professional practice.

To possess a good working knowledge of the Integrated Care Programme Approach (ICPA), including the ability to formulate a risk assessment and risk management plan.

To provide formal and informal clinical supervision to junior staff, students, mental health workers where appropriate/in agreement with the team manager.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• A professional qualification and current registration in either mental health or learning disability nursing, occupational therapy or social work.
• Experience of working with individuals with complex and diverse needs including enduring mental health needs and dual diagnosis.
• Experience of working with individuals who are often difficult to engage.
• Experience of managing own caseload and ability to prioritise within that.
• Experience of working in a team and an understanding of the whole team approach.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision to junior staff.
• Knowledge /understanding of the criminal justice system.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to carry out assessments requiring intense and prolonged concentration in stressful environments i.e. Holding Cells at the Courts.
• Ability to manage frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotional circumstances in relation to offending behaviours.
• Ability to maintain clear and professional boundaries.
• Ability to gather and process information in the formulation of client risk.
• Excellent communication skills, able to communicate sensitive and complex information in intense environments.
• Able to maintain/forge good relationships with partnership agencies.
• Be IT literate to use email, intranet and Microsoft Word, data capture and statistics.
• Ability to travel a wide geographical area with limited access to public transport.

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Bybrook Lodge

Blackberry Hill Hospital, Manor Road, Fishponds

Bristol

BS16 2EW

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

342-SS189-0923