Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Job summary
The service is funded through the NHS England Liaison and Diversion Programme. Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services aim to identify people who may have mental health issues, a learning disability, substance misuse issues or other vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system.

Our direct contact with service users may take place at police stations or in the courts. Our work can be very challenging but we continue to aim to ensure that individuals receive the best and most appropriate care for their needs. Through screening, assessment and appropriate referral, we are able to promote better health outcomes, reduce re-offending and reduce pressure on the police and court services.

Main duties of the job
The role of Liaison & Diversion Practitioner involves working with a wide range of services such as the police, probation, the court and legal services as well as both inpatient and community health and social care services. Our work includes unsocial hours on weekday evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. Successful candidates will need to have excellent communication skills as well as the flexibility to work alongside these different groups. Candidates will need to be able to work effectively as part of a team as well as having the skills and confidence to work autonomously in a range of environments. Supervision and consultation are available to the team to support practice.

This post will cover both Uxbridge Magistrates Court and Heathrow Police Custody Suite.

About us
Please note: Candidates will need to submit an application for Metropolitan Police vetting clearance and have it approved before a contract can be agreed. The following is guidance we have from the Metropolitan Police regarding vetting which you should take into consideration before you complete an application for this post:

Common failures

• Non-declaration of criminal convictions or Police involvement;
• I.E investigations even if no further action, warnings, cautions (No matter how old)
• County court judgements
• Less than 3-year Residency
• Defaults - No debt management plans in place.
• Convictions which resulted in imprisonment or suspended sentence

Vetting applications will be returned if any of the details are omitted

ALL family members, partners, co-residents and parents' partners must be provided

Address history must run 5 years straight.

Job responsibilities
To act as an autonomous practitioner in court and police detention cells. The post holder will also be expected to assess an individuals mental state and risk and within the context of the alleged offence and the criminal justice system, implement a care pathway for each individual.

The post holder will maintain a presence on the site they are working for the duration of their shift in order to be able to respond to referrals in a timely manner. It is the post holders responsibility to check regularly if there is anyone to be seen in custody. If there is a need to leave the police custody suite, the post holder must leave a contact number with the custody staff and respond to calls.

In the absence of the youth justice liaison and diversion worker, the post holder will be expected to screen any youths in police custody during their shift in police stations. This will involve engaging with the young person and at times their guardians and depending on the screening outcomes, may involve making onward referrals including safeguarding, youth offending teams and CAMHS.

To undertake a full mental state assessment, risk assessment, and gather a background history for individuals with a variety of needs. These would include those with a serious mental illness or personality disorder and associated learning, social, personal, dependency and substance misuse issues who are in police custody suites and court detention.

To prepare accurate written reports following assessment in line with quality standards.

Person Specification
Previous Experience
Essential

• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary/multi- agency team.
• Post-registration experience, which is experience of working in a community or forensic psychiatric setting at Band 6 or equivalent or above.
• Experience of crisis work and risk assessment.

Desirable

• Experience of working in forensic psychiatry.
• Experience of the assessment of clients with drug/alcohol related problems and clients with a history of transience or homelessness.
• Experience in Liaison and Diversion.

Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Qualified Registered Mental Nurse, Mental Health Social Worker or Occupational Therapist with current registration with the relevant professional body
• Substantial evidence of continuing professional development and post registration training.

Desirable

• Post registration qualification in forensic mental health.

Skills and knowledge
Essential

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to make comprehensive psycho-social assessments and good report writing skills.
• Ability to make sound and safe risk assessments
• Evidence of effective time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary/multi- agency team
• Evidence of effective networking and liaison experience
• Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person.
• Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills

Desirable

• Skills in assessing people with forensic history or need.
• Knowledge of current legislation relating to community mental health provision and forensic psychiatry
• Knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1884 and PACE Codes of Practice 2004.
• Ability to promote users' involvement.

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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