Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arose within the Liaison and Diversion service in Cambridgeshire for a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialist.
The team have now expanding their role into supporting the Crown Courts across the county therefore are seeking a Clinical Nurse Specialist to join the team.
The Liaison and Diversion service provides high quality screening and assessment of individuals who have encounter the criminal justice system. Individuals may present in police custody, magistrates or crown courts in Cambridgeshire and will include offering voluntary attendees.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will lead the Crown Court pathway and support the team with links to the courts, also forging links with key partners to ensure the pathway runs smoothly. There will be times when you will deputise for the team manager, attend meetings, chair meetings, complete audits, etc.
You will support the Team Manager in the day-to-day Clinical Leadership of the service, provide supervision, support with data collation and interpretation, write reports for commissioners, provide training to partner agencies, etc.
The post holder will support in the development of Practitioner knowledge and understanding of the role of the Magistrates' Court and Crown Court, including completion of court reports giving consideration for reasonable adjustments and special measures, the role of the Primary and Secondary MHTR's, understanding when to request a psychiatric and/or psychology report, etc.
You will work alongside the Band 6 practitioners and support each other during times of annual leave and high service demand, etc.
About us
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist mental health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
1. Support staff understanding of Part 3 of the Mental Health Act.
2. Compile and interpret data, complete monthly audits of work and report back themes and plans to address possible deficits and devise development ideas, etc.
3. Support the ongoing development and transformation of the wider service, willingness and ability to travel across various sites.
4. Lead on QI and the development of the service.
5. Improve access to healthcare and support services for children and adults in contact with the criminal justice system with a view to reducing health inequalities, whilst also valuing the aims and wishes of service users.
6. Actively seek to embed service user consultation and involvement in every aspect of service delivery, including leading on stakeholder meetings and small feedback groups.
7. Provide and ensure Practitioners understand the etiquette and protocols required to work in a police custody/court setting.
8. Ensure Practitioners can use a variety of skills to engage with individuals who are difficult to engage with or who may be in a crisis; recognise and respond to communication barriers and impairment to maximise engagement.
9. Provide and ensure Practitioners actively listen to service users to establish an understanding of their needs to help make informed choices about the support which may be available; and to advocate where required.
10. Provide guidance to staff to anticipate and manage unpredictable and/or volatile situations, including the ability to undertake a risk assessment before making contact.
11. Provide, supervise, and independently undertake face to face and electronic screening of individuals referred to the Liaison and Diversion with a view to identifying health and social care vulnerabilities.
12. Provide and ensure the provision of timely, high quality verbal feedback to relevant partners and involved professionals, followed by high quality written reports.
13. Provide and ensure referrals are made to relevant health and social care services and optimise engagement by being creative and innovative and/or referring to STR Workers. Where individuals may be recalled back to prison, ensure referrals are made to Prison mental health Services and Safer Custody as required.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
14. Registered Nurse for Mental Health or Learning Disability and registered with the NMC with a diploma and/or degree, Practice Educator.
15. OR Qualified Social Worker with current registration to practice in the UK
16. Educated to degree level or equivalent level of experience.
Desirable
17. Evidence of post-qualifying training and commitment to further professional development, eg MA, AMHP, BIA, Practice Educator, QI training, Leadership, etc
Experience
Essential
18. Experience working with adults and/or children who may have complex mental health needs and other vulnerabilities including alcohol and substance use, low IQ, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. in a senior role
19. Experience working in a clinical setting such as a ward or a community mental health team, learning disability team, Social Services, etc
20. Experience working in the criminal justice setting
21. Experience of the principles of recovery, person-centred planning, safeguarding
22. Experience of continuous improvement, eg QI
23. Experience writing timely, clear and concise reports
24. Experience of providing clinical leadership and supervision to junior staff
25. Evidence of experience in service evaluation and improvements
Desirable
26. Experience of research and audit
Skills and Abilities
Essential
27. Able to work independently as well as part of a team
28. A good understanding of clinical governance and data protection
29. Excellent communication and assessment skills and support service users, carers and family members in times of emotional distress
30. Ability to complete timely high quality court reports
31. Understand the principles and practice of leadership, supervision and management
32. Ability to recognize and promote excellent partnership working
33. Excellent understanding or risk and risk management
34. Able to be responsive to the changing demands and unpredictable nature of the work undertaken
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
35. Understanding of relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, PACE, Social Care Act, Human Rights Act, Equality Act, etc.
36. Understanding and knowledge of the L&DS National Service Specification and Mental Health Treatment Requirements, including the role of custody and court.
37. Understanding of women and veterans in the criminal justice system.
38. Knowledge of a wide range of health and social care vulnerabilities which may present whilst undertaking the role, eg mental illness, trauma, autism, low IQ, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc.
Desirable
39. Knowledge of the local resources.
Physical Requirements
Essential
40. To be able to travel between locations as and when required
41. Routine and regular use of IT equipment
Other
Essential
42. Flexible and responsive approach.
43. Resilience.
44. Able to adapt to change.
45. Have a full driving licence and access to a car.
46. Able to work evenings and weekends subject to service demand (usually one weekend a month).
47. Demonstrate a high level of self-awareness.
48. Ability to problem-solve and work under pressure.