Forensic Liaison Practitioner

Job Overview
Forensic Liaison Practitioner
Specialist Learning Disabilities Directorate Shropshire
Band 7 – 18 month temporary contract/secondment opportunity
37.5 hrs per week
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 If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.
A focus will be to ensure that patients are cared for in the least restrictive environment and that any risks in relation to forensic presentations are appropriately managed within inpatient and community services. Outreach - The post holder will work with local community providers to support them to develop appropriate services for this client group, avoiding inappropriate readmissions/admissions to hospital. In reach - facilitation of timely discharge from hospital will be a key focus.
The registered clinician (e.g. Nurse, OT, S&LT) will facilitate access to specialist care and deliver assessments & interventions for people with forensic presentations. Responsible for providing clinical leadership, consultancy, training, advice, and supervision to colleagues and carers. The post holder will have a Shropshire/MPFT focus but will be expected to work across the West Midlands region as required to meet the needs of the service.
The post holder will manage referrals, assist with the development of the West Midlands service, and participate in the West Midlands-wide on-call rota from 8am-8pm Monday-Friday.
Main duties of the job
This is a brand new community-based opportunity, based in Shropshire, the role is part of the wider West Midlands Community Forensic LDA Team, based at Brooklands Hospital, Marston Green, Birmingham. The role will involve regular virtual/digital engagement with the team and in-person meetings as required.
The post holder will primarily support people with a Learning Disability in Shropshire but will, as part of the wider West Midlands Community Forensic LDA Team, have responsibility to support Autistic people in liaison with MPFT’s Community Forensic Autism team.
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
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works across Shropshire and the West Midlands to ensure provision of an integrated healthcare service which includes highly specialist assessment in relation to forensic needs to inform clinical formulation, care planning, therapeutic intervention/treatment, and evaluation. This will include ensuring multi-disciplinary supervision and multi-disciplinary assessment reports and recommendations are completed where appropriate and that outcomes are routinely measured in line with agreed protocols.
• To contribute to future developments of the community forensic service.
• To provide teaching and training of others.
• To provide specialist assessments and consultation to others in a range of agencies (e.g. secure services, health, social care, third sector, probation).
• To work as part of a team to coordinate referrals into the West Midlands Community Forensic LDA service including liaison with relevant commissioners.
• To participate in the West Midlands-wide on-call rota, providing clinical advice and urgent support outside core hours.
• To work in partnership with mental health and learning disability health colleagues to provide a seamless service for autistic people and people with learning disabilities using forensic services.
• To ensure that any national or local policy and guidance in relation to Forensics is implemented across the Services.
• To raise the profile of the healthcare needs of autistic people and people with learning disabilities and forensic history within secure and community services.
• Ensure implementation of effective risk management strategies designed to effectively manage and mitigate risks.
• Work as part of the team, liaising with the Clinical Services Manager and Clinical Lead to develop and deliver a training plan for the appropriate development of staff in Forensic and community services to meet complex clinical needs presented by people who have learning disabilities with forensic presentations.
• To implement teaching materials and training packages that enable the development of best practice.
• To facilitate/support access to forensic services and admission where necessary and appropriate. Ensures that clinicians from the CLDT & IST have appropriate involvement in the process of admission, setting clear/measurable objectives for admission and discharge planning. Advise on suitable reasonable adjustments and support implementation within forensic services.
• To work with colleagues from the Local Authority and/or other health providers (as appropriate) to facilitate timely discharge to appropriate community-based services, following all locally agreed protocols including 117 Aftercare entitlements in this regard.
  Person specification
  Qualifications
  Essential criteria
• Qualified Health/social care Practitioner.
• Current professional registration or accreditation with appropriate body.
• Relevant forensics qualification or willingness to work towards.
• Evidence of Leadership/Management experience.
• Degree or masters level qualification in relevant subject, or agreement to work towards.
  Desirable criteria
• Relevant qualification in Teaching & Assessing in Practice.
• Qualification in supervision or mentoring.
• Post graduate level qualification relating to forensic work (e.g. Post graduate certificate in forensic practice, MSc Forensic Psychology, etc.).
• Experience of running offender group programmes.
• Experience of undertaking specialist forensic assessments, analysing the resulting information and giving opinion on this.
  Experience
  Essential criteria
• Extensive experience of working with patients that have a learning disability and/or autism and forensic presentations in Community and Hospital Settings.
• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams and of being an autonomous practitioner.
• Experience of practice supervision of others.
  Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
  Essential criteria
• Knowledge of specialist forensic assessments and relevant nursing interventions.
• In-depth knowledge of current national agenda relating to the NHS, social care sector, learning disabilities, and mental health.
• Knowledge of DOLS, Mental Capacity and Mental Health Act legislation, and the legal context of secure services.
  Personal Attributes
  Essential criteria
• Able to function as part of a team and network with other agencies.
• Good team player.