Job summary
We are looking for you to join our Thames Valley Liaison and Diversion team. You will have a keen interest in Liaison and Diversion and a passion about supporting our service users as they make their way through police custody, court and up to prison.
We are a dynamic, people-centred team who are looking for some who is passionate about health outcomes for those making their way through the criminal justice system.
With a reputation for excellence, our service is committed to improving the health of our clients, identifying care pathways, and reducing reoffending.
Recognised with a number of awards, including a Thames Valley/Hampshire Constabulary Police Commendation, Berkshire Healthcare 'Team of the Year' and runner-up for the Howard League for Penal Reform 'Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year'.
We value our employees and put people first. We achieved an 'Outstanding' rating overall in our latest CQC inspection, which found that: 'Managers across Berkshire Healthcare promoted a positive culture that supported and valued staff, creating a sense of common purpose based on shared values.'
We operate across the Thames Valley are, in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire. Excluding Milton Keynes.
7 days a week, 9-5, includes weekend working, based primarily withinpolice custody settings, but also meeting service users within the community and at courts.
Main duties of the job
This role is focused on providingappropriate and effective triage, screening, and signposting to individuals within the Criminal Justice System (CJS) who may present with a range of vulnerabilities thatmay be linked to their offending behaviour.
It is common for people within the criminal justice system to experience mental health problemsalongside alcohol/drug use problems at the same time.
The role involves enabling and assisting service users to meet daily health, social care, and well-being needs, in line with personal recovery goals, and facilitating engagement with mainstream services. Thisis with the aim of ensuring that the health needs of individuals who are in the criminal justice system aremet.
The Advanced STR worker will support custody practitioners in conducting triaging and screenings in custody and escalating to a practitioner if acute risk or complex needs are present. They will be responsible in supporting the wider STR workforce with advice and clinical support.
The candidate is required tohave flexibility to travel to localities across the Thames Valley as per roster. The advanced STR workermay also hold a small caseload of complex service users to support their engagement with communityservices.
The post holder will be expected to work alongside council staff, local housing authorities. Also, working closely with Dual Diagnosis Practitioners, local drug and alcohol services, police, probation, and homeless outreach workers.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for you to be considered for this role:
- Educated to degree level in health and social care or equivalent professional or vocational qualification in health and social care subjects or equivalent level of knowledge and/or practical experience of working in health or social care setting and completed the Care Certificate
- A warm personality, good communication and people skills.
- Driving Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to travel across multiple sites in the Thames Valley as required.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Kit Walker on 07900782981 or email Kit.Walker@berkshire.nhs.uk.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for you to be considered for this role:
- Educated to degree level in health and social care or equivalent professional or vocational qualification in health and social care subjects or equivalent level of knowledge and/or practical experience of working in health or social care setting and completed the Care Certificate
- A warm personality, good communication and people skills.
- Driving Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to travel across multiple sites in the Thames Valley as required.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Kit Walker on 07900782981 or email Kit.Walker@berkshire.nhs.uk.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Educated to degree level in health and social care or equivalent professional or vocational qualification in health and social care subjects or equivalent level of knowledge and/or practical experience of working in health or social care setting.
- Completed the Care Certificate.
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Experience of working in a health and social care setting.
Desirable
- Experience of teaching/training individuals and groups.
- Experience of mentoring, supervising, and supporting junior staff.
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience of supporting people with identified vulnerabilities.
- Experience working and communicating across multiple agencies and professions.
- Experience in managing own workload without direct supervision.
- Experience of working independently
Desirable
- Experience of working within the criminal justice system.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Well- developed listening skills and effective verbal communication skills to be able to engage appropriately with service users, carers, and colleagues, statutory and voluntary agencies, both face to face and by phone.
- Demonstrate well developed written communication skills, with the ability to produce letters, write reports, maintain accurate records, and record statistical information.
- Demonstrate ability to use initiative appropriately, making decisions within the guidelines set
- Demonstrates an appreciation of the values that underpin the delivery of care.
- Experience of supervising staff, volunteers, or peer mentors.
Desirable
- Flexible and adaptable to change.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel to multiple sites efficiently to work effectively with service users and line manage peer support staff across the service.
- Full driving licence and access to a car.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Educated to degree level in health and social care or equivalent professional or vocational qualification in health and social care subjects or equivalent level of knowledge and/or practical experience of working in health or social care setting.
- Completed the Care Certificate.
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Experience of working in a health and social care setting.
Desirable
- Experience of teaching/training individuals and groups.
- Experience of mentoring, supervising, and supporting junior staff.
Previous Experience
Essential
- Experience of supporting people with identified vulnerabilities.
- Experience working and communicating across multiple agencies and professions.
- Experience in managing own workload without direct supervision.
- Experience of working independently
Desirable
- Experience of working within the criminal justice system.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Well- developed listening skills and effective verbal communication skills to be able to engage appropriately with service users, carers, and colleagues, statutory and voluntary agencies, both face to face and by phone.
- Demonstrate well developed written communication skills, with the ability to produce letters, write reports, maintain accurate records, and record statistical information.
- Demonstrate ability to use initiative appropriately, making decisions within the guidelines set
- Demonstrates an appreciation of the values that underpin the delivery of care.
- Experience of supervising staff, volunteers, or peer mentors.
Desirable
- Flexible and adaptable to change.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel to multiple sites efficiently to work effectively with service users and line manage peer support staff across the service.
- Full driving licence and access to a car.
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.
