Job summary
We are looking for an experienced Mental Health Practitioner (RMN, RNLD, Social Worker, OT) to join the Integrated Non-Custodial Liaison and Diversion service, offering assessment and support for children and young people within Police Custody suites and other Criminal Justice settings in Bristol, BaNES, and South Gloucestershire. We operate under an all vulnerabilities model, identifying care pathways for children and young people with a wide range of support needs, including mental health needs, substance misuse issues, learning disabilities and neurodiversity.
This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with AWP trust policy all newly qualified social workers (NQSW) will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of advertised role banding. All NQSW's are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within 2 years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case it may be extended for a further 2 years.
If you have been appointed to an advertised Band 6 role this will be an automatic progression, following confirmation of your successful ASYE completion. If you have been appointed to a Band 5 post you will then be eligible to apply for a subsequent Band 6 vacancy upon successful ASYE completion.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will be working specifically with children within the criminal justice system, to inform disposal of the case and to identify robust care pathways. 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 young people with varying needs.
The role will be based in a variety of settings, predominantly in Police Custody Suites, however with a developing early intervention role in the community with children and young people on the cusp of criminal justice involvement.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and lived experience, and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To attend Court or Custody suite, and provide mental health assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential mental health need has been identified.
To provide the Court and/or Police with appropriate written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal of the case.
Prepare comprehensive health and social circumstances reports where indicated in a specified time frame.
To work closely and build links with all referring agencies acting as a single point of contact within the Criminal Justice System.
To address the Court in person when necessary in order to advise the Court in the disposal, and care pathway of a particular case.
To refer to appropriate services for the identified needs of the service user.
To make recommendation to Court, whether criminal justice system remains involved or diversion is indicated.
To build a good working knowledge of the Mental Health Act in relation to the Courts and the criminal justice system.
Where diversion is indicated, to facilitate Mental Health Act assessments at the Court or in Custody in conjunction with the AWP Assessment teams.
To refer to the prison mental health teams where custody is indicated ensuring appropriate information is received along the care pathway.
To provide specialist advice and service to Probation and the custody suites where indicated.
To provide mental health information to Probation in the formulation of their pre-sentence reports, where a potential mental health need has been identified.
To be responsible for adhering to all Trust Policies and procedures.
To be able to communicate clearly with a diverse group of service users.
To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload. Take accountability for own professional practice.
To possess a good working knowledge of the Integrated Care Programme Approach (ICPA), including the ability to formulate a risk assessment and risk management plan.
To provide formal and informal clinical supervision to junior staff, students, mental health workers where appropriate/in agreement with the team manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To attend Court or Custody suite, and provide mental health assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential mental health need has been identified.
To provide the Court and/or Police with appropriate written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal of the case.
Prepare comprehensive health and social circumstances reports where indicated in a specified time frame.
To work closely and build links with all referring agencies acting as a single point of contact within the Criminal Justice System.
To address the Court in person when necessary in order to advise the Court in the disposal, and care pathway of a particular case.
To refer to appropriate services for the identified needs of the service user.
To make recommendation to Court, whether criminal justice system remains involved or diversion is indicated.
To build a good working knowledge of the Mental Health Act in relation to the Courts and the criminal justice system.
Where diversion is indicated, to facilitate Mental Health Act assessments at the Court or in Custody in conjunction with the AWP Assessment teams.
To refer to the prison mental health teams where custody is indicated ensuring appropriate information is received along the care pathway.
To provide specialist advice and service to Probation and the custody suites where indicated.
To provide mental health information to Probation in the formulation of their pre-sentence reports, where a potential mental health need has been identified.
To be responsible for adhering to all Trust Policies and procedures.
To be able to communicate clearly with a diverse group of service users.
To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload. Take accountability for own professional practice.
To possess a good working knowledge of the Integrated Care Programme Approach (ICPA), including the ability to formulate a risk assessment and risk management plan.
To provide formal and informal clinical supervision to junior staff, students, mental health workers where appropriate/in agreement with the team manager.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A professional qualification in either Mental Health or Learning Disability Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social Work, and current registration with a pertinent body.
- Evidence of 1 years post registration and evidence of training and development at band 5 or above.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with complex and diverse needs including enduring mental health needs and dual diagnosis.
- Experience of managing own caseload and ability to prioritise within that.
- Can demonstrate experience and commitment to working in a team and an understanding of the whole team approach.
Desirable
- Experience of working within the Criminal Justice system.
- Experience of working with Children and Young People
Skills
Essential
- Ability to carry out assessments requiring intense and prolonged concentration in stressful environments i.e. Holding Cells at the Courts.
- Ability to manage frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotional circumstances in relation to offending behaviours.
- Ability to gather and process information in the formulation of client risk.
- Excellent communication skills, able to communicate sensitive and complex information in intense environments.
- Able to maintain/forge good relationships with partnership agencies.
- Be IT literate to use email, intranet and Microsoft Word, data capture and statistics.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A professional qualification in either Mental Health or Learning Disability Nursing, Occupational Therapy or Social Work, and current registration with a pertinent body.
- Evidence of 1 years post registration and evidence of training and development at band 5 or above.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with individuals with complex and diverse needs including enduring mental health needs and dual diagnosis.
- Experience of managing own caseload and ability to prioritise within that.
- Can demonstrate experience and commitment to working in a team and an understanding of the whole team approach.
Desirable
- Experience of working within the Criminal Justice system.
- Experience of working with Children and Young People
Skills
Essential
- Ability to carry out assessments requiring intense and prolonged concentration in stressful environments i.e. Holding Cells at the Courts.
- Ability to manage frequent exposure to highly distressing and emotional circumstances in relation to offending behaviours.
- Ability to gather and process information in the formulation of client risk.
- Excellent communication skills, able to communicate sensitive and complex information in intense environments.
- Able to maintain/forge good relationships with partnership agencies.
- Be IT literate to use email, intranet and Microsoft Word, data capture and statistics.
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).
.png){kind=logo}
