Job summary
The CNWL Liaison and Diversion teams are part of a highly respected and innovative all age, all vulnerability service that work across the criminal justice system in Central and North West London and beyond.
Our direct contact with service users may take place at police stations or in the courts. Our work can be very challenging but we continue to aim to ensure that individuals receive the best and most appropriate care for their needs. Through screening, assessment and appropriate referral, we are able to promote better health outcomes, reduce re-offending and reduce pressure on the police and court services.
As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings
Main duties of the job
The role of Liaison & Diversion Practitioner involves working with a wide range of services such as the police, probation, the court and legal services as well as both inpatient and community health and social care services. Our work includes unsocial hours on weekday evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. Successful candidates will need to have excellent communication skills as well as the flexibility to work alongside these different groups. Candidates will need to be able to work effectively as part of a team as well as having the skills and confidence to work autonomously in a range of environments. Supervision and consultation are available to the team to support practice.
About us
Please note: Candidates will need to submit an application for Metropolitan Police vetting clearance and have it approved before a contract can be agreed. The following is guidance we have from the Metropolitan Police regarding vetting which you should take into consideration before you complete an application for this post:
Common failures
- Non-declaration of criminal convictions or Police involvement;
I.E investigations even if no further action, warnings, cautions (No matter how old)
- County court judgements
- Less than 3-year Residency
- Defaults - No debt management plans in place.
- Convictions which resulted in imprisonment or suspended sentence
- Letting applications will be returned if any of the details are omitted
ALL family members, partners, co-residents and parents' partners must be provided
- Address history must run 5 years straight.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To act as an autonomous practitioner in court and police detention cells. The post holder will also be expected to assess an individuals mental state and risk and within the context of the alleged offence and the criminal justice system, implement a care pathway for each individual.
- In the absence of the youth justice liaison and diversion worker, the post holder will be expected to screen any youths in police custody during their shift in police stations. This will involve engaging with the young person and at times their guardians and depending on the screening outcomes, may involve making onward referrals including safeguarding, youth offending teams and CAMHS.
- To undertake a full mental state assessment, risk assessment, and gather a background history for individuals with a variety of needs. These would include those with a serious mental illness or personality disorder and associated learning, social, personal, dependency and substance misuse issues who are in police custody suites and court detention.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To act as an autonomous practitioner in court and police detention cells. The post holder will also be expected to assess an individuals mental state and risk and within the context of the alleged offence and the criminal justice system, implement a care pathway for each individual.
- In the absence of the youth justice liaison and diversion worker, the post holder will be expected to screen any youths in police custody during their shift in police stations. This will involve engaging with the young person and at times their guardians and depending on the screening outcomes, may involve making onward referrals including safeguarding, youth offending teams and CAMHS.
- To undertake a full mental state assessment, risk assessment, and gather a background history for individuals with a variety of needs. These would include those with a serious mental illness or personality disorder and associated learning, social, personal, dependency and substance misuse issues who are in police custody suites and court detention.
Person Specification
Previous Experience
Essential
- oExperience of working in a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team.
- oSubstantial years post-registration experience, of which is experience of working in a community or forensic psychiatric setting at Band 6 or equivalent or above.
- oExperience of crisis work and risk assessment.
Desirable
- oExperience of working in forensic psychiatry.
- oExperience of the assessment of clients with drug/alcohol related problems and clients with a history of transience or homelessness.
- oExperience in Liaison and Diversion.
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- oQualified Registered Mental Nurse, Mental Health Social Worker or Occupational Therapist with current registration with the relevant professional body
- oSubstantial evidence of continuing professional development and post registration training.
Desirable
- oPost registration qualification in forensic mental health.
Person Specification
Previous Experience
Essential
- oExperience of working in a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team.
- oSubstantial years post-registration experience, of which is experience of working in a community or forensic psychiatric setting at Band 6 or equivalent or above.
- oExperience of crisis work and risk assessment.
Desirable
- oExperience of working in forensic psychiatry.
- oExperience of the assessment of clients with drug/alcohol related problems and clients with a history of transience or homelessness.
- oExperience in Liaison and Diversion.
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- oQualified Registered Mental Nurse, Mental Health Social Worker or Occupational Therapist with current registration with the relevant professional body
- oSubstantial evidence of continuing professional development and post registration training.
Desirable
- oPost registration qualification in forensic mental health.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
