37.5 Hours Per Week.

The Liaison and Diversion Service is commissioned nationally by NHS England.

It is an All vulnerability service which offers screening and assessment services to anyone above the age of criminal responsibility (age 10 years) who are suspected of having mental health, learning disability, substance problems or other vulnerabilities and find themselves in contact with the criminal justice system.

Individuals are guided through the criminal justice system and signposted or referred to the right services to meet their individual needs and vulnerabilities. The service also provides court related services which offer greater advice and support to the judiciary, including sharing information via Court reports.

L& D services aim to reduce reoffending, reduce unnecessary use of police and court time and reduce health inequalities for some of the most vulnerable in society.

It requires a commitment from the applicant to close partnership working with the police and other partnership agencies and to working with a complex and diverse range of individuals with varying needs.

Main duties of the job

Following assessment and identification of any vulnerabilities the practitioner will either facilitate diversion of the individual away from the criminal justice system into appropriate services or alternatively with the individuals consent signpost on to services to meet any vulnerabilities whilst they continue to be dealt with by the criminal justice system and beyond.

Liaising with other professionals and service providers to ensure appropriate care and support is in place is integral to the role.

We are looking for someone who embraces collaborative working with partner agencies, service users and carers and who has a keen interest in working with the Police. You will need to be resilient and have the ability and confidence to work with a high level of autonomy.

Importantly, you will be dynamic and persevering in your work, be naturally inquisitive, have excellent risk assessment and report writing skills, and the ability to quickly establish and develop rapport with service users.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We strongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

To work as a senior member of a multi-disciplinary team providing intensive mental health and social care assessments, identify care pathways and where indicated diversion to individuals within the police custody suites, courts and probation services.

The successful applicant will work in the police custody suites and courts working with people within the criminal justice system, where potential mental health and or learning disability need is suspected and further assessment is indicated to inform disposal of the case and to identify robust 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.

To attend police custody suites and magistrates courts and provide mental health assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways for individuals where a potential mental health or learning disability need has been identified.

To provide the police and court with written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.

To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court, and probation acting as a single point of contact for health.

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

Where diversion is indicated to facilitate mental health act assessments at the police station.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Person Specification

Training

Essential

• Working knowledge of the MHA 1983, CPA and other relevant codes of practice.

Desirable

• Training in P.S.I. and C.B.T.
• HCR-20.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people who are difficult to engage having developed through theoretical and practical knowledge of working with people with severe and enduring mental illness.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
• Substantial experience of practice at a senior level working autonomously and responsibility of supervising others.
• Substantial experience in community setting.
• Evidence of leadership skills and experience of supervising other staff.
• Experience of support carers and families.
• A proven commitment to working in partnership with service users and carers in the delivery of effective services.

Desirable

• Experience or training in Research.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Demonstrate ability to be flexible, self-motivated and work in M.D.T. setting and ability to work with Partnership agencies.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Ability to work unsocial hours.

Qualifications

Essential

• A Professional Qualification at degree level or equivalent in either mental health nursing, learning disability nursing, occupational therapy or social work.
• Hold current registration with relevant professional body.
• Evidence of post registration training and development.

Desirable

• Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring.
• Equivalent level of teaching mentoring qualification.

Physical Attributes.

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Special Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Experience of carrying out complex risk assessment and development comprehensive packages of care to meet individual needs and management associated risks.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Skills in specialist assessments, negotiation, engagement and teamwork.

Desirable

• Recognised qualification in clinical supervision.
• Experience of substance misuse.
• Relapse prevention.
• Use of assessment tools.

Employer details

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Barnsley Police Custody

Barnsley Police Station, Churchfield,

Barnsley

South Yorkshire

S70 2DL

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

C9378-B1969