Health & Justice Band 6 Practitioner

Job Overview
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role, your application may be withdrawn.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Liaison & Diversion (L&D) Team for the role of L&D Practitioner based in Watling House Custody Suite, Staffordshire.

L&D services identify people who have substance misuse, mental health, learning disability or other vulnerabilities when they first encounter the criminal justice system. We look to identify unmet needs and vulnerabilities that often lead to or exacerbate offending behaviour, offering 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 the Community throughout Staffordshire 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 working with people from the age of 10 upwards.

The post holder will be expected to travel across the 3 custody suites.

Main duties of the job

Please Refer To The Attached Job Description In Summary

• Take responsibility for holistic health assessment (within service specification) in Liaison and Diversion in conjunction with service user and carer (if necessary), helping to promote self-determination, choice, and autonomy.
• Provide a written report for Crown or Magistrates Courts or attend and give verbal evidence as required, offering considered recommendations to these bodies.
• Assess service users' individual needs, agree and refer on to the 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 the process, as part of the Liaison and Diversion Service.
• Use both Silvercloud and Justice Star tools in supporting service users.
• Provide feedback to youth justice panels and Youth Offending services.

Working for our organisation
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.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
THIS ROLE IS SUBJECT TO POLICE VETTING; as such, applicants are required to have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to submitting their vetting application. This is a requirement of the College of Policing.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details on this role.

Person specification

Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria

• Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, RGN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, AHP.
  Desirable criteria
• Degree qualification in a relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to the field of practice.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential criteria

• Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability.
• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, including roles and responsibilities of staff working in it.
• Knowledge of the 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, including the 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 criteria
• Specialist knowledge in substance misuse.
• Specialist knowledge in Autism and ADHD.
• Specialist knowledge in Personality Disorder.
• Specialist knowledge in Domestic Violence.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial and Psychological Approaches.

Experience
Desirable criteria

• Experience of the Immigration System.