Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Job summary

This is a community-based role that requires frequent travel to various locations throughout the county including areas that may not be accessible by public transportation. Successful candidates will need to demonstrate how they will manage these travel requirements.

We're looking for a highly motivated and skilled mental health practitioner to join our Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Service.

The L&D service is an all age, all vulnerability service which offers assessment services to individuals in police custody and court who may present with vulnerabilities and who find themselves in contact with the youth or criminal justice systems as a result of being suspected of having committed a criminal offence. Vulnerabilities may include: mental health, alcohol and substance use, homelessness, learning disabilities, autism, or other speech and language difficulties.

We provide court related services which offer greater advice and support to the judiciary, including Court Reports.

The successful applicant will work in the police custody suites located in Newquay and Camborne, and the magistrates' courts in Bodmin and Truro.

We are seeking someone who values teamwork with partner agencies, service users, and carers, and has a strong interest in working alongside the police and the courts.

The post holder will contribute to the clinical leadership of the team, providing supervision for other members and participating in team and service development, and evaluation.

Main duties of the job

After assessing and identifying any vulnerabilities, the practitioner will either guide the individual away from the criminal justice system into suitable services or, with their consent, refer them to services that can address their needs while they remain in the justice process and beyond.

This involves a commitment to close partnership working with both statutory and voluntary sector agencies and a commitment to working with a complex and diverse range of individuals with varying needs.

We have just been recommissioned for a further 7 years and from April 2025 the service operating hours will be 8am-8pm 7 days a week.

Because of the nature of this post, all persons will have to have Police vetting clearance prior to any formal offer of appointment. Police vetting clearance is required every three years.

About us

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.