Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Liaison and Diversion Practitioner
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Job Overview
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.
Working for our organisation
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
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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.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
To act as an autonomous practitioner in court and police detention cells. The post holder will also be expected to assess an individual’s 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 holder’s 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
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Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- Post registration qualification in forensic mental health.
Skills and knowledge
Essential criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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.
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