Custody Mental Health Liaison & Diversion Practitioner

Avon And Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Nhs Trust; Melksham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust in Melksham seeks an experienced RMN, RNLD, Social Worker or OT to join the Integrated Non-Custodial Liaison & Diversion Service, primarily in police custody suites across Wiltshire. The role involves assessment, signposting and facilitating diversion as appropriate, with suitability for newly qualified social workers at Band 5 progression to ASYE.

The post is part of a cross-disciplinary team within the criminal justice pathway, offering

Qualifications

• Hold current registration with pertinent body.
• Ability to carry out assessments in stressful environments (e.g., holding cells at the Courts).
• Ability to work on own initiative and take responsibility for own practice within policies.
• Commitment to clinical supervision and continuing professional development.
• Experience with complex/diverse needs including dual diagnosis.
• Experience of working within the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge/understanding of the criminal justice system.

Responsibilities

• Attend Police Custody and Courts and provide mental health assessments, advice, and identify robust care pathways for individuals where a potential mental health need has been identified.
• Provide Police or Courts with written information pertaining to the individual to inform disposal of the case.
• Prepare comprehensive health and social circumstances reports within a specified timeframe.
• Work closely with referring agencies within Police Custody and Court, acting as single point of contact for Health.
• Address the Court in person to advise on disposal and care pathway.
• Signpost and refer to appropriate services for identified needs.
• Make recommendations to Police and Court on whether diversion is indicated.
• Build knowledge of the Mental Health Act in relation to Courts and CJ system.
• Where diversion is indicated, facilitate Mental Health Act assessments with AWP teams.
• Refer to Youth Detention Services when custody is indicated, ensuring risk information is received.
• Provide specialist advice to Youth Custody Service and custody suites as needed.
• Adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
• Communicate clearly with a diverse group of service users.
• Work autonomously and manage own workload.

Skills

UK Registration

Court assessments

Clinical supervision

Partnership working

Dual diagnosis

Teamwork

Job description

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust in Melksham seeks an experienced RMN, RNLD, Social Worker or OT to join the Integrated Non-Custodial Liaison & Diversion Service, primarily in police custody suites across Wiltshire. The role involves assessment, signposting and facilitating diversion as appropriate, with suitability for newly qualified social workers at Band 5 progression to ASYE.

The post is part of a cross-disciplinary team within the criminal justice pathway, offering