Job summary
Catalyst, in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are providing the Liaison and Diversion services to the Surrey community.
The aim of the service is to provide early intervention for vulnerable people of all ages as they come to the attention of the criminal justice system. People will be assessed and individuals with mental health concerns, learning disabilities, substance misuse problems and other vulnerabilities will be identified as soon as possible and offered support, signposting and referrals to appropriate support services based on their needs.
Information gained from the assessments will be shared with the relevant youth and criminal justice agencies to enable key decision makers to make more informed decisions on diversion, charging, case-management, effective participation in criminal justice proceedings, remand and sentencing for these vulnerable individuals.
Main duties of the job
The Assertive Outreach Worker will work with colleagues in the Liaison and Diversion Service to offer person-centred and community based support and interventions, which will improve the health and social care for individuals whilst reducing offending and supporting the best possible decision-making within criminal justice partnerships.
About us
Catalyst Support, established in 1989, is a leading Surrey charity dedicated to championing wellness across communities, transforming lives by addressing mental, physical, and emotional health needs.
Guided by the belief that wellness is a right for all, Catalyst Support embodies its motto, Supporting Wellness Together, by empowering individuals and communities with innovative, accessible services. With embedded values of kindness, integrity, and commitment, the charity strives to create sustainable, transformative social impact.
Through strong partnerships, ethical governance, and initiatives focused on environmental and financial sustainability, Catalyst Support aligns its efforts with national health priorities, embracing the opportunities to lead the way in integrated, preventive, and community-based care.
Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.
We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage
of the process.
Benefits
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
- Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions)
- Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible
- Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work with Liaison and Diversion colleagues in locality criminal justice settings to engage with individuals following assessment
- To actively engage with clients in their local community to support the client achieve their goals following assessment
- To conduct continuous risk assessments and develop and update risk management plans with partners
- To adhere to all the policies and practices of the Liaison and Diversion service
- To provide advice, information and appropriate harm reduction advice based on an individuals needs
- To support the client to engage with key local services to improve their health and wellbeing e.g. primary care, housing, benefits etc.
- To jointly work with the clients other support workers to ensure client meets any criminal justice requirements
- To transport clients to appointments as required and support clients at assessments and ongoing appointments, where appropriate and if needed
- To develop joint working arrangements with key local services, attend joint assessments if required and attend partnerships meetings
- To support individuals to find employment, undertake training, access support services, and cultivate positive social networks
- To keep up-to-date records, data and outcomes in line with the service contract
This is not an exhaustive list of the duties that may need to be undertaken. It may be necessary to undertake other duties in order to fulfil the objectives of the charity.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work with Liaison and Diversion colleagues in locality criminal justice settings to engage with individuals following assessment
- To actively engage with clients in their local community to support the client achieve their goals following assessment
- To conduct continuous risk assessments and develop and update risk management plans with partners
- To adhere to all the policies and practices of the Liaison and Diversion service
- To provide advice, information and appropriate harm reduction advice based on an individuals needs
- To support the client to engage with key local services to improve their health and wellbeing e.g. primary care, housing, benefits etc.
- To jointly work with the clients other support workers to ensure client meets any criminal justice requirements
- To transport clients to appointments as required and support clients at assessments and ongoing appointments, where appropriate and if needed
- To develop joint working arrangements with key local services, attend joint assessments if required and attend partnerships meetings
- To support individuals to find employment, undertake training, access support services, and cultivate positive social networks
- To keep up-to-date records, data and outcomes in line with the service contract
This is not an exhaustive list of the duties that may need to be undertaken. It may be necessary to undertake other duties in order to fulfil the objectives of the charity.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 2 years community experience of working with adults relating to mental health, learning difficulties drug and alcohol work, and accommodation issues
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- An understanding of confidentiality, consent, information sharing, in line with GDPR
- A working knowledge of assertive outreach work, assessing and managing risk and Safeguarding, and policies and procedures supporting these
- An ability to work with complex clients (alcohol, homelessness, learning difficulties, mental health issues) in the community
- A good working knowledge of harm reduction approaches
- Skilled in providing support within a multi skilled/disciplinary approach within teams and with external organisations
- A working knowledge of supporting clients to access services such as: hostels/housing, benefits, primary care, mental health, physical health, and treatment services
- Good communication and written skills and a commitment to accurate and confidential record keeping on case management systems
- Ability to interact effectively with the clients, colleagues and other professionals whilst retaining clear boundaries
- Ability to work to all the policies, procedures and standards of the service and joint working arrangements with statutory and voluntary sector partners
- A good understanding of personal limitations, ability to identify when to seek advice and support, and deal with issues in a professional manner
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and basic Excel
- Ability to enter data onto a database as required by the Service
- Ability to work flexibly across operational hours and evenings where required
- Ability to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis
Qualifications
Desirable
- A diploma or degree in appropriate subject i.e. counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, learning difficulties and/or Health and Social Care (NVQ level 3)
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A minimum of 2 years community experience of working with adults relating to mental health, learning difficulties drug and alcohol work, and accommodation issues
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- An understanding of confidentiality, consent, information sharing, in line with GDPR
- A working knowledge of assertive outreach work, assessing and managing risk and Safeguarding, and policies and procedures supporting these
- An ability to work with complex clients (alcohol, homelessness, learning difficulties, mental health issues) in the community
- A good working knowledge of harm reduction approaches
- Skilled in providing support within a multi skilled/disciplinary approach within teams and with external organisations
- A working knowledge of supporting clients to access services such as: hostels/housing, benefits, primary care, mental health, physical health, and treatment services
- Good communication and written skills and a commitment to accurate and confidential record keeping on case management systems
- Ability to interact effectively with the clients, colleagues and other professionals whilst retaining clear boundaries
- Ability to work to all the policies, procedures and standards of the service and joint working arrangements with statutory and voluntary sector partners
- A good understanding of personal limitations, ability to identify when to seek advice and support, and deal with issues in a professional manner
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and basic Excel
- Ability to enter data onto a database as required by the Service
- Ability to work flexibly across operational hours and evenings where required
- Ability to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis
Qualifications
Desirable
- A diploma or degree in appropriate subject i.e. counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, learning difficulties and/or Health and Social Care (NVQ level 3)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
