Forensic Liaison Practitioner

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS organization is seeking a Forensic Liaison Practitioner in Shropshire to support individuals with learning disabilities and forensic needs. Responsibilities include providing clinical leadership, conducting assessments, and ensuring care in the least restrictive environment. Candidates should possess relevant qualifications, experience in multidisciplinary teams, and a passion for supporting vulnerable populations. Competitive temporary contract with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Ongoing training and support

Qualifications

• Current professional registration or accreditation with the appropriate body.
• Evidence of Leadership/Management experience.
• Experience of running offender group programmes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate referrals into the West Midlands Community Forensic LDA service.
• Facilitate access to specialist care and deliver assessments.
• Work in partnership with health colleagues to provide seamless services.

Skills

Specialist forensic assessments

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Leadership experience

Knowledge of mental health legislation

Education

Degree or master's-level qualification in a relevant subject

Post-graduate qualification in forensic work

Job description

Forensic Liaison Practitioner

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Closing date: 19 November 2025

Band 7 – 18 month temporary contract/secondment opportunity

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If you require sponsorship you may be withdrawn from consideration.

Would you like to join an award‑winning, innovative Trust and its well‑regarded learning disability service?

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic practitioner with extensive experience of working with people with learning disabilities who have forensic needs.

This is a brand new community based opportunity, based in Shropshire, part of the wider West Midlands Community Forensic LDA Team, based at Brooklands Hospital, Marston Green, Birmingham. The role will involve regular virtual/digital engagement with the team and in‑person meetings as required.

The post holder will primarily support people with a Learning Disability in Shropshire but will, as part of the wider West Midlands Community Forensic LDA Team, have responsibility to support autistic people in liaison with MPFT's Community Forensic Autism team.

Main duties of the job

A focus will be to ensure that patients are cared for in the least restrictive environment and that any risks in relation to forensic presentations are appropriately managed within inpatient and community services. Outreach – the post holder will work with local community providers to support them to develop appropriate services for this client group, avoiding inappropriate readmissions/admissions to hospital. In‑reach – facilitation of timely discharge from hospital will be a key focus.

The post holder will facilitate access to specialist care and deliver assessments and interventions for people with forensic presentations. Responsible for providing clinical leadership, consultancy, training, advice and supervision to colleagues and carers. The post holder will have a Shropshire/MPFT focus but will be expected to work across the West Midlands region as required to meet the needs of the West Midlands Community Forensic LDA service.

Contact for discussion or informal visit: Gary Worrall – Clinical Services Manager [e-mail]

About us

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities. We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non‑clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Works across Shropshire and the West Midlands to ensure provision of an integrated healthcare service which includes highly specialist assessment in relation to forensic needs to inform clinical formulation, care planning, therapeutic intervention/treatment and evaluation. This will include ensuring multi‑disciplinary supervision and multi‑disciplinary assessment reports and recommendations are completed where appropriate and that outcomes are routinely measured in line with agreed protocols.
2. To contribute to future developments of the community forensic service.
3. To provide teaching and training of others.
4. To provide specialist assessments and consultation to others in a range of agencies (e.g. secure services, health, social care, third sector, probation).
5. To work as part of a team to coordinate referrals into the West Midlands Community Forensic LDA service including liaison with relevant commissioners.
6. To participate in the West Midlands‑wide on‑call rota, providing clinical advice and urgent support outside core hours.
7. To work in partnership with mental health and learning disability health colleagues to provide a seamless service for autistic people and people with learning disabilities using forensic services.
8. To ensure that any national or local policy and guidance in relation to Forensics is implemented across the Services.
9. To raise the profile of the healthcare needs of autistic people and people with learning disabilities and forensic history within secure and community services.
10. To ensure implementation of effective risk management strategies designed to effectively manage and mitigate risks.
11. Work as part of the team, liaising with the Clinical Services Manager and Clinical Lead to develop and deliver a training plan for the appropriate development of staff in Forensic and community services to meet complex clinical needs presented by people who have learning disabilities with forensic presentations.
12. To implement teaching materials and training packages that enable the development of best practice.
13. To facilitate/support access to forensic services and admission where necessary and appropriate. Ensures that clinicians from the CLDT & IST have appropriate involvement in the process of admission, setting clear/measurable objectives for admission and discharge planning. Advise on suitable reasonable adjustments and support implementation within forensic services.
14. To work with colleagues from the Local Authority and/or other health providers (as appropriate) to facilitate timely discharge to appropriate community based services, following all locally agreed protocols including 117 Aftercare entitlements in this regard.

Please see the attached Job Description/ Person Specification for further details.

Qualifications

• Current professional registration or accreditation with the appropriate body.
• Relevant forensics qualification or willingness to work towards.
• Evidence of Leadership/Management experience.
• Degree or masters‑level qualification in a relevant subject, or agreement to work towards.
• Relevant qualification in Teaching & Assessing in Practice.
• Qualification in supervision or mentoring.
• Post‑graduate level qualification relating to forensic work (e.g. Post‑graduate certificate in forensic practice, MSc Forensic Psychology, etc.).
• Experience of running offender group programmes.
• Experience of undertaking specialist forensic assessments, analysing the resulting information and giving an opinion on this.

Experience

• Extensive experience of working with patients that have a learning disability and/or autism and forensic presentations in community and hospital settings.
• Experience of working within multi‑disciplinary teams and of being an autonomous practitioner.
• Experience of practice supervision of others.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge of specialist forensic assessments and relevant nursing interventions.
• In‑depth knowledge of current national agenda relating to the NHS, social care sector, learning disabilities and mental health.
• Knowledge of DOLs, Mental Capacity and Mental Health Act legislation, and the legal context of secure services.

Personal Attributes

• Able to function as part of a team and network with other agencies.
• Good team player.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such a Submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions is required.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust