Job summary
Working alongside Criminal Justice Mental Health Practitioners, the post holder will be based within the Integrated Non-Custodial Service (IN-CS) Liaison and Diversion team. The role will cover predominantly Swindon and Wiltshire courts and police stations, working with individuals with mental health problems and other vulnerabilities who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support clients who are in police custody and help them to identify and utilise a range of community services that are likely to improve their mental health, address social difficulties, and reduce the risk of re-offending. The post holder will provide support to individuals with offending histories who are likely to have a wide range of mental health problems, along with co-existing complex needs, including homelessness, substance misuse problems, significant risk histories, and social exclusion, and who may at times present with extremely challenging behaviours. The post holder will be expected to develop good links with community resources in order to enable improved and supported access to services.
In summary, the post holder will support service users largely in the police custody environment, with occasional support provided in the community and the courts.
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Foundation 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 some parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and well-being. 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 Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, 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
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To work alongside other members of the Liaison and Diversion Service with an allocated number of individual service users who have been in contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS). The post holder will also be required to attend and actively participate in team meetings, training sessions, team and care plan review meetings, and supervision as appropriate.
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To attend police custody suites and magistrates courts to contribute to mental health assessments, provide advice, and support the delivery of care pathways for individuals where a potential mental health need or other vulnerability has been identified.
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To work with, and maintain appropriate engagement for a timelimited period with, offenders with mental health problems and other vulnerabilities who are likely to have multiple and complex needs.
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To liaise with and assist the Criminal Justice Mental Health Practitioners, along with an extensive number of external agencies, with the assessment and shortterm care planning for service users.
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To network with a wide range of health and social care agencies to identify and develop a database of local resources, and to understand the impact of stigma that offenders with mental health problems often face when accessing these services.
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To communicate often complex, sensitive and, at times, contentious information, where skills in persuasive, motivational negotiating, empathy, and counselling are required, often in situations where there are barriers to understanding and high stress levels, e.g., courtrooms and police custody settings
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
To work alongside other members of the Liaison and Diversion Service with an allocated number of individual service users who have been in contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS). The post holder will also be required to attend and actively participate in team meetings, training sessions, team and care plan review meetings, and supervision as appropriate.
-
To attend police custody suites and magistrates courts to contribute to mental health assessments, provide advice, and support the delivery of care pathways for individuals where a potential mental health need or other vulnerability has been identified.
-
To work with, and maintain appropriate engagement for a timelimited period with, offenders with mental health problems and other vulnerabilities who are likely to have multiple and complex needs.
-
To liaise with and assist the Criminal Justice Mental Health Practitioners, along with an extensive number of external agencies, with the assessment and shortterm care planning for service users.
-
To network with a wide range of health and social care agencies to identify and develop a database of local resources, and to understand the impact of stigma that offenders with mental health problems often face when accessing these services.
-
To communicate often complex, sensitive and, at times, contentious information, where skills in persuasive, motivational negotiating, empathy, and counselling are required, often in situations where there are barriers to understanding and high stress levels, e.g., courtrooms and police custody settings
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Possession of, or the ability and willingness to work towards, an appropriate Level 5 vocational qualification (Foundation Degree in Mental Health or Health and Social Care)
- Possession of, or the ability and willingness to work towards, Level 2 Functional Skills (e.g. GCSE Mathematics and English Language Grade C/4 or above)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working with a vulnerable client group, including experience of supporting people with mental health problems
- Ability to work proactively alongside people to help meet identified goals and needs
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with drug and alcohol problems
- Experience of working with people who have had contact with the Criminal Justice Service
Skills
Essential
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with service users, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic
- Ability to make critical decisions in a timely, considered manner
- Liaise with other agencies to support service users
Personal Qualities
Essential
- To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion
- Act in a ways that support equality and diversity
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Possession of, or the ability and willingness to work towards, an appropriate Level 5 vocational qualification (Foundation Degree in Mental Health or Health and Social Care)
- Possession of, or the ability and willingness to work towards, Level 2 Functional Skills (e.g. GCSE Mathematics and English Language Grade C/4 or above)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working with a vulnerable client group, including experience of supporting people with mental health problems
- Ability to work proactively alongside people to help meet identified goals and needs
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with drug and alcohol problems
- Experience of working with people who have had contact with the Criminal Justice Service
Skills
Essential
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with service users, carers and relatives remaining sensitive and empathetic
- Ability to make critical decisions in a timely, considered manner
- Liaise with other agencies to support service users
Personal Qualities
Essential
- To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion
- Act in a ways that support equality and diversity
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).
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.
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).
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