Job summary
Hours Per Week.
The Liaison and Diversion Service is commissioned nationallyby NHS England.
It is an All vulnerability service which offers screeningand assessment services to anyone above the age ofcriminal responsibility (age 10 years) who are suspected of having mentalhealth, learning disability, substance problems or other vulnerabilities andfind themselves in contact with the criminal justice system.
Individuals are guided through the criminal justice system andsignposted or referred to the right services to meet their individual needs andvulnerabilities. The service also provides court related services whichoffer greater advice and support to the judiciary, including sharinginformation via Court reports.
L&D services aim to reducereoffending, reduce unnecessary use of police and court time and reduce healthinequalities for some of the most vulnerable in society.
It requires a commitmentfrom the applicant to close partnership working with the police and other partnershipagencies and to working with a complex and diverse range of individuals withvarying needs.
Main duties of the job
Followingassessment and identification of any vulnerabilities the practitioner willeither facilitate diversion of the individual away from the criminal justicesystem into appropriate services or alternatively with the individuals consentsignpost on to services to meet any vulnerabilities whilst they continue to bedealt with by the criminal justice system and beyond.
Liaising withother professionals and service providers to ensure appropriate care andsupport is in place is integral to the role.
We are looking for someone whoembraces collaborative working with partner agencies, service users and carersand who has a keen interest in working with the Police. You will need to beresilient and have the ability and confidence to work with a high level ofautonomy.
Importantly, you will be dynamic andpersevering in your work, be naturally inquisitive, have excellent riskassessment and report writing skills, and the ability to quickly establish anddevelop rapport with service users.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to befully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants areusing AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. We stronglydiscourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process before selectingcandidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance yourapplication, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
About us
Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.
Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.
Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.
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
1. Working knowledge of the MHA 1983, CPA and other relevant codes of practice.
Desirable
2. Training in and
3. HCR-20.
Experience
Essential
4. 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.
5. Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
6. Substantial experience of practice at a senior level working autonomously and responsibility of supervising others.
7. Substantial experience in community setting.
8. Evidence of leadership skills and experience of supervising other staff.
9. Experience of support carers and families.
10. A proven commitment to working in partnership with service users and carers in the delivery of effective services.
Desirable
11. Experience or training in Research.
Personal Attributes
Essential
12. Demonstrate ability to be flexible, self-motivated and work in setting and ability to work with Partnership agencies.
13. Ability to prioritise workload.
14. 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).
15. Ability to work unsocial hours.
Qualifications
Essential
16. A Professional Qualification at degree level or equivalent in either mental health nursing, learning disability nursing, occupational therapy or social work.
17. Hold current registration with relevant professional body.
18. Evidence of post registration training and development.
Desirable
19. Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring.
20. Equivalent level of teaching mentoring qualification.
Physical Attributes.
Essential
21. 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
22. Experience of carrying out complex risk assessment and development comprehensive packages of care to meet individual needs and management associated risks.
23. Clear and concise written and verbal communication.
24. Skills in specialist assessments, negotiation, engagement and teamwork.
Desirable
25. Recognised qualification in clinical supervision.
26. Experience of substance misuse.
27. Relapse prevention.
28. Use of assessment tools.