Job summary
If you are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of individuals leaving the criminal justice system we invite you to explore an exciting opportunity with West Yorkshire Liaison and Diversion / RECONNECT, an NHS England commissioned service delivered by Wakefield Council.
At West Yorkshire Liaison and Diversion, we are on a mission to divert vulnerable people out of the criminal justice system and into support services that can lead to lasting change. Our Reconnect Services play a pivotal role in achieving this goal.
The post is based at Dewsbury business centre however the post will cover various outreach basis across West Yorkshire including HMP Leeds HMP Wealstun, HMP New Hall, probation approved premises and wider operational bases across W Yorkshire . The post is a workplace-based role.
RECONNECT is a care after custody service that seeks to improve the continuity of care of people leaving prison or an immigration removal centre (IRC) with an identified health need.This involves working with them before they leave to support their transition to community-based services, thereby safeguarding health gains made whilst in prison or an IRC.
RECONNECT services aim to improve the wellbeing of people leaving prison or an IRC, reduce inequalities and address health-related drivers of offending behaviours., RECONNECT offers liaison, advocacy, signposting, and support to facilitate engagement with community-based health and support services.
Main duties of the job
RECONNECT services also aim to:
Increase access to and uptake up of healthcare or relevant support services for individuals who have identified health needs upon release from prison or IRCs who would otherwise struggle to engage.
Ensure that the health needs of individuals who are leaving prison or IRCs are met.
Ensure a safe transition from prison or IRC to community-based healthcare and support services in England.
Provide follow-up to ensure engagement is maintained.
As a Mental Health Practitioner within our Reconnect Services team, you will be an essential member of a multi-disciplinary group dedicated to providing mental health and social care assessments for individuals upon their release from prison. You will work under the guidance of our Mental Health Advanced Practitioner. Your primary responsibilities include identifying those with health vulnerabilities, developing comprehensive care plans, and coordinating support services to ensure a safe and supportive transition into the community. With the aim of reducing re-offending by ensuring that a persons health needs can be adequately met within the community.
About us
The Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) is the main provider of Mental Health and Learning Disability services in Leeds. We also provide specialist inpatient services in York and some highly specialised services across the country. As a teaching trust with strong links to local universities, we are a centre of excellence for teaching, research and development.
There are many benefits of working for LYPFT including fantastic employee wellbeing support, 27 - 33 days annual leave, flexible working and remote working arrangements, the NHS Pension Scheme, coaching, support and opportunities for career development and training and education support alongside a range of exclusive discounts and payment schemes including for cars, extra leave days and more NHS Discount Offers.
We also have an incredible bank department, offering variety of roles in nursing, allied health professions, healthcare support worker and administration clerical. Permanent employees are automatically added to bank.
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Collaborate with senior delivery partners within the Prison, Local Authority, Probation, NHS, Police, Adult Social Care, Mental Health Services, Substance Misuse providers, and Accommodation providers.
Help build upon the existing Liaison and Diversion model to encompass the full criminal justice pathway and post-release support.
Provide screening, assessment, and practical support to identified individuals released from HMPs across west Yorkshire and Transfers from out of area, also including community based assessments and Approved premises with health based inequalities, assisting them in their reintegration into the West Yorkshire region.
Offer support and release planning to individuals for up to 12 weeks prior to release or as soon as they are referred within the 12 weeks prior to their release.
Offer support for up to 6 months post-release date, or when all health care needs are met
- Undertake an assessment of appropriateness of the referral and gain patient consent.
- Offer the patient a minimum of two points of face-to-face contact prior to their release. If it is not possible to do face to face, then virtual, telephone or a combination of these methods will be offered.
- Provide individuals with a named RECONNECT member of staff who will work with them prior to, and upon release, until they are engaged with an appropriate community-based health service care or support service appointment or are discharged from the service.
- Work in a trauma informed way.
- Ensure that where the individual is being held in an establishment outside of their home area, the RECONNECT service local to the prison and/or IRC will facilitate communication between the prison/IRC, the individual and receiving RECONNECT service.
- Work closely with prison and/or IRC based healthcare teams, including physical and mental health services, substance misuse services and relevant support services.
- Offer a holistic service that meets the needs of the individual.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Collaborate with senior delivery partners within the Prison, Local Authority, Probation, NHS, Police, Adult Social Care, Mental Health Services, Substance Misuse providers, and Accommodation providers.
Help build upon the existing Liaison and Diversion model to encompass the full criminal justice pathway and post-release support.
Provide screening, assessment, and practical support to identified individuals released from HMPs across west Yorkshire and Transfers from out of area, also including community based assessments and Approved premises with health based inequalities, assisting them in their reintegration into the West Yorkshire region.
Offer support and release planning to individuals for up to 12 weeks prior to release or as soon as they are referred within the 12 weeks prior to their release.
Offer support for up to 6 months post-release date, or when all health care needs are met
- Undertake an assessment of appropriateness of the referral and gain patient consent.
- Offer the patient a minimum of two points of face-to-face contact prior to their release. If it is not possible to do face to face, then virtual, telephone or a combination of these methods will be offered.
- Provide individuals with a named RECONNECT member of staff who will work with them prior to, and upon release, until they are engaged with an appropriate community-based health service care or support service appointment or are discharged from the service.
- Work in a trauma informed way.
- Ensure that where the individual is being held in an establishment outside of their home area, the RECONNECT service local to the prison and/or IRC will facilitate communication between the prison/IRC, the individual and receiving RECONNECT service.
- Work closely with prison and/or IRC based healthcare teams, including physical and mental health services, substance misuse services and relevant support services.
- Offer a holistic service that meets the needs of the individual.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant core professional qualification and registration ie Registered Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Social worker or Occupational Therapist who can demonstrate how they able to satisfy the key responsibilities of the post.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in mental health or Learning Disabilities services working with difficult to engage individuals
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and experience in carrying out assessments of MH needs and associated vulnerabilities.
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate ability to be flexible, self-motivated and work in M.D.T. setting and ability to work with Partnership agencies.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant core professional qualification and registration ie Registered Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Social worker or Occupational Therapist who can demonstrate how they able to satisfy the key responsibilities of the post.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in mental health or Learning Disabilities services working with difficult to engage individuals
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and experience in carrying out assessments of MH needs and associated vulnerabilities.
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate ability to be flexible, self-motivated and work in M.D.T. setting and ability to work with Partnership agencies.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
