Health & Justice Band 6 Practitioner

Date posted: 24 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pa
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 301-RJ-26-8174219
Job locations: Warrington Court, Cheshire, WA4 6UD, United Kingdom

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Cheshire Liaison & Diversion Team for the role of Liaison & Diversion Practitioner based in Warrington Combined Law courts. Liaison & Diversion (L&D) services identify people who have substance misuse, mental health, learning disability or other vulnerabilities when they first come onto contact with the criminal justice system. We look to identify unmet need and vulnerabilities that often lead to or exacerbate offending behaviour, offer onward referral and signposting as appropriate. We liaise across agencies to support onward planning and intervention to address identified needs and where appropriate support the diversion of individuals away from the criminal justice process into a more appropriate setting. We work in Police Custody Suites, Courts and Community throughout Cheshire and offer assessments to individuals within the Criminal Justice system including Voluntary Attendees. We help to inform decision makers with relevant and timely information to support sentencing and disposal outcomes. We offer brief community based intervention to maximise service user access and engagement with appropriate services. This is an 'all age' service and so you will be required to work with people from the age of 10 years upwards. *The post holder will be expected to travel across the MPFT footprint*

Main duties of the job

• Take responsibility for holistic health assessment (within service specification) in Health and Justice in conjunction with service user and carer (If necessary), helping to promote self-determination, choice and autonomy.
• To provide a written report for Crown or Magistrates Courts or to attend and give verbal evidence as required. To offer considered recommendations to these bodies.
• Assess service users individual needs, agree and refer on to appropriate agency.
• Complete and contribute, where appropriate to robust risk assessments and risk management plans. Deliver and promote positive risk taking, where appropriate, to improve quality of life and maximise occupational performance/independence.
• Maintain an effective reporting system by observing and reporting verbally and electronically in health records.
• Utilise agreed outcome measures to review the effectiveness of process, as part of Health and Justice Service.
• To use both Silvercloud and Justice Star tools in supporting service users.
• To provide feedback to youth justice panels and Youth Offending services.

About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities. We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems. We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow. We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected. Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities
**Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role. **

Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential

• Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, RGN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, AHP.

Desirable

• Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice.

Experience
Essential

• Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability.
• Knowledge of Criminal Justice System, including roles and responsibilities of staff working in it.
• Knowledge of use and interpretation of health screening tools.
• Knowledge of assessing and mitigating risk - including risk of harm to self and others.
• Knowledge of a wide range of vulnerabilities including the needs of children and young people.
• Knowledge and understanding of capacity and consent.
• Knowledge of theoretical approaches to working with vulnerable people.
• Knowledge of appropriate health and social care interventions.
• Knowledge of relevant law, as a minimum; Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Children Act, Social Care Act and PACE code C.
• Knowledge of human growth and development.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding Adults and Children
• Knowledge of Information Governance, Data Protection and GDPR.

Desirable

• Specialist knowledge in substance misuse.
• Specialist knowledge in Autism and ADHD.
• Specialist knowledge in Personality Disorder.
• Specialist knowledge Domestic Violence.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial and Psychological Approach.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Warrington Court, Cheshire, WA4 6UD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:
Team Lead
Natalie MacDonald Bennett
View email address on meeveem.com
View phone number on meeveem.com