Liaison & Diversion Practitioner

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Sussex Liaison and Diversion Service (SLDS) is the name of Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trusts Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Team.

Our service works in partnership with Police, Probation, His Majesty's' Court Service and Third Sector organisations in the assessment of offenders pre and post charge in Police Custody, Magistrates Courts and other Criminal Justice locations. We also have specialist community pathways for SaLT and Children and Young people.

We are seeking to recruit a Band 6 Liaison and Diversion Practitioner (Social Worker, Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, or occupational therapist) to work mainly at Brighton Police Custody suites.

We are a small unique and friendly and supportive team, working in a setting that you will not normally encounter in your career. We are close knit with specialist knowledge that we are pleased to share with our colleagues in other parts of the Trust.

This post offers an incentive or relocation package up to the maximum of £4000 (pro rata applies and subject to terms and conditions).

Main duties of the job

The service operates from 8am to 8pm seven days a week and Practitioners based in Police Custody work 12 hour shifts on a rota which includes working alternate weekends.

Based day-to-day in Police Custody, a key part of your role will be to screen people detained in custody using NHS and Police information systems to identify those with health and social care vulnerabilities (this could include anything from physical and mental health needs, alcohol and substance misuse needs, domestic violence, abuse, homelessness, financial stress or exclusion, problem gambling, speech and language needs, and so on) and any history or current concerns regarding risk to self or others.

Following the triage process, and with the persons consent the Liaison & Diversion Practitioner will complete an assessment of need and risk. The Practitioner will create a plan that will focus on meeting the persons needs and include interventions that reduce or manage identified risks. Interventions may include liaison with current care providers or onward referral to appropriate services.

Appointment will be subject to successful Police vetting

About us

About the Trust:

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and learning disability care for children, young people and adults across Sussex.

Working in Sussex:

Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there's always new experiences to be enjoyed

Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London

With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure

We'd love you to join our organisation that is rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the Care Quality Commission. Our staff agree, with 82% of people in our recent staff survey telling us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Other key staff survey results include:

70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work

79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team

77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles

Date posted

13 November 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£35,392 to £42,618 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-FH-20351-B

Job locations

Brighton Custody Centre

Crowhurst Road

Hollingbury, Brighton

BN1 8AP

Job description

Job responsibilities

Although the post holder will work within a wider team they will largely be an autonomous practitioner who will carry out assessments and make referrals/give advice to a range of partner agencies to include the following duties:

To review with the relevant custody officer offenders in custody and based on available information/index offence/history prioritise cases identified as eligible for screening and assessment.
Undertake assessments of individuals with complex health presentations in Police Custody, Magistrate Courts and other Criminal Justice Locations with complex health presentations,
To offer specialist assessment
To advise Partner Agencies on the impact of an individuals complex health need on their offending behaviour.
To refer individuals to appropriate primary, secondary health and third sector providers.
To assess risks and advise partner agencies on risks an individual may present and appropriate risk management interventions
To liaise with Assessment and Treatment Centres and maintain good working relationships with all Partner Agencies
To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Trust nursing strategy.
To ensure that clinical practice is evidence based and consistent with relevant NICE guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
To provide supervision of junior staff and trainees where appropriate.
To act within the NMC code of conduct at all times.

Key Result Areas:

Clinical Practice, including professional development

To be a core member of the team, using specialist health assessments.
To provide a highly specialised range of clinical assessments/advise relevant to offender and have knowledge of evidence based models of practice and current developments within Criminal Justice
Be a resource to Criminal Justice Partners and support training and education
Refer appropriate cases to the Assessment and Treatment Centres. ensuring timely access to secondary services
Refer appropriate cases to Primary and Third Sector Providers ensuring timely access to services
Raise any potential SUIs with Line Manager
To liaise with Approved Mental Health Act Practitioners when required
To work in partnership with Criminal Justice Agencies in the assessment of offenders and make recommendations for custody or non custodial options.
Develop contingency plans with partner agencies for the most prolific offenders.
To monitor, evaluate recommendations for disposal in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
Implementation of all nursing policies and procedures.
To discuss with the offender and when appropriate, with their carers, their health problems and how they see and understand them, facilitating a process of developing their understanding and maintaining their hope for the future.

Liaise with Child Protection and Safe Guarding Vulnerable Adult Services as required
To work with carers and family members, offering carers assessments.
To work closely and in partnership with colleagues in the Assessment and Treatment Centre and other services within the Trust in a collaborative way, ensuring that decisions are made that ensure the best care for service users and that there is a seamless pathway.
To develop professional networks and keep abreast of local resources; third sector partners, primary care, housing, education, social care and other statutory organisations in order to ensure that the service user is able to navigate the full health, criminal justice and social care system.
To establish robust communication networks with criminal justice partners other health workers and agencies.
To promote awareness of the professional role within the team and across the criminal justice service.
To demonstrate effective communication skills with people in an age appropriate way and those whose understanding may be impaired.
Communicate effectively with junior staff on a timely basis ensuring systems exist so that staff, are informed.
To apply highly specialist skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice.
To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.

Practice Development, including professional development of others

Ensure best practice is promoted and disseminated appropriately.
Support a team based learning culture.
Facilitate local multidisciplinary learning groups and practice development initiatives.
To contribute to the induction, training of students and other staff both within or external to the Trust.
To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of nursing students on placement within the Trust.
Act as a mentor/preceptor.
To fully participate in the Trusts performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
Review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal in line with local guidelines.
To provide effective guidance, supervision and appraisal for junior staff.
To provide effective nursing leadership within the team, speciality groups and at professional networks.
Governance including quality, standards, documentation & ethics
- To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards and to provide specialist reports relevant to practice setting.
- To keep accurate and timely electronic record of each contact, using Carenotes database and the NICHE Police system. Complete outcome measures as required.
- To adhere to the Nursing & Midwifery Council Code of Conduct, professional standards and ethics and comply with local and national standards of practice.
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
- To contribute in the Trust and professional clinical and social care governance arrangements and quality agenda, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.
- To apply national guidelines/ legislation relating to health and social care in mental health service provision.
- To participate in clinical and social care governance care group forums as required.
- To ensure performance targets and standards are met.
- To ensure that professional nursing standards of practice are maintained within the clinical setting.
To ensure that professional standards of practice are maintained amongst junior staff.

To represent the professional lead at meetings as required

Job description

Job responsibilities

To review with the relevant custody officer offenders in custody and based on available information/index offence/history prioritise cases identified as eligible for screening and assessment.
Undertake assessments of individuals with complex health presentations in Police Custody, Magistrate Courts and other Criminal Justice Locations with complex health presentations,
To offer specialist assessment
To advise Partner Agencies on the impact of an individuals complex health need on their offending behaviour.
To refer individuals to appropriate primary, secondary health and third sector providers.
To assess risks and advise partner agencies on risks an individual may present and appropriate risk management interventions
To liaise with Assessment and Treatment Centres and maintain good working relationships with all Partner Agencies
To contribute to the maintenance and development of the Trust nursing strategy.
To ensure that clinical practice is evidence based and consistent with relevant NICE guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
To provide supervision of junior staff and trainees where appropriate.
To act within the NMC code of conduct at all times.

Key Result Areas:

Clinical Practice, including professional development

To be a core member of the team, using specialist health assessments.
To provide a highly specialised range of clinical assessments/advise relevant to offender and have knowledge of evidence based models of practice and current developments within Criminal Justice
Be a resource to Criminal Justice Partners and support training and education
Refer appropriate cases to the Assessment and Treatment Centres. ensuring timely access to secondary services
Refer appropriate cases to Primary and Third Sector Providers ensuring timely access to services
Raise any potential SUIs with Line Manager
To liaise with Approved Mental Health Act Practitioners when required
To work in partnership with Criminal Justice Agencies in the assessment of offenders and make recommendations for custody or non custodial options.
Develop contingency plans with partner agencies for the most prolific offenders.
To monitor, evaluate recommendations for disposal in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
Implementation of all nursing policies and procedures.
To discuss with the offender and when appropriate, with their carers, their health problems and how they see and understand them, facilitating a process of developing their understanding and maintaining their hope for the future.

Liaise with Child Protection and Safe Guarding Vulnerable Adult Services as required
To work with carers and family members, offering carers assessments.
To work closely and in partnership with colleagues in the Assessment and Treatment Centre and other services within the Trust in a collaborative way, ensuring that decisions are made that ensure the best care for service users and that there is a seamless pathway.
To develop professional networks and keep abreast of local resources; third sector partners, primary care, housing, education, social care and other statutory organisations in order to ensure that the service user is able to navigate the full health, criminal justice and social care system.
To establish robust communication networks with criminal justice partners other health workers and agencies.
To promote awareness of the professional role within the team and across the criminal justice service.
To demonstrate effective communication skills with people in an age appropriate way and those whose understanding may be impaired.
Communicate effectively with junior staff on a timely basis ensuring systems exist so that staff, are informed.
To apply highly specialist skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practice.
To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio.

Practice Development, including professional development of others

Ensure best practice is promoted and disseminated appropriately.
Support a team based learning culture.
Facilitate local multidisciplinary learning groups and practice development initiatives.
To contribute to the induction, training of students and other staff both within or external to the Trust.
To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of nursing students on placement within the Trust.
Act as a mentor/preceptor.
To fully participate in the Trusts performance review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
Review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal in line with local guidelines.
To provide effective guidance, supervision and appraisal for junior staff.
To provide effective nursing leadership within the team, speciality groups and at professional networks.
Governance including quality, standards, documentation & ethics
- To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards and to provide specialist reports relevant to practice setting.
- To keep accurate and timely electronic record of each contact, using Carenotes database and the NICHE Police system. Complete outcome measures as required.
- To adhere to the Nursing & Midwifery Council Code of Conduct, professional standards and ethics and comply with local and national standards of practice.
- To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
- To contribute in the Trust and professional clinical and social care governance arrangements and quality agenda, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards.
- To apply national guidelines/ legislation relating to health and social care in mental health service provision.
- To participate in clinical and social care governance care group forums as required.
- To ensure performance targets and standards are met.
- To ensure that professional nursing standards of practice are maintained within the clinical setting.
To ensure that professional standards of practice are maintained amongst junior staff.

To represent the professional lead at meetings as required

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered nurse (RMN, LD), social worker, occupational therapist, etc. with current professional registration appropriate to the job role
Nursing: Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB, or substantial experience. Non-nursing: equivalent learning or substantial experience (e.g. practice teaching, AMHP qualification, or similar post-graduate study)
Evidence of continuous professional development

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

Significant post qualifying experience in the relevant care group
Experience of working alongside people with complex health problems in the designated care group
Experience of supervising staff
Experience of managing a caseload or clinical area
Experience of working consultatively with professionals
Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non statutory teams and agencies
Experience of working within a justice setting
Understanding of clinical governance
Previous experience of working in the community

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered nurse (RMN, LD), social worker, occupational therapist, etc. with current professional registration appropriate to the job role
Nursing: Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB, or substantial experience. Non-nursing: equivalent learning or substantial experience (e.g. practice teaching, AMHP qualification, or similar post-graduate study)
Evidence of continuous professional development

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

Significant post qualifying experience in the relevant care group
Experience of working alongside people with complex health problems in the designated care group
Experience of supervising staff
Experience of managing a caseload or clinical area
Experience of working consultatively with professionals
Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non statutory teams and agencies
Experience of working within a justice setting
Understanding of clinical governance
Previous experience of working in the community

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).