Health & Justice Band 6 Practitioner

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Crawley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Crawley is seeking a Health & Justice Practitioner to provide support within the criminal justice system. The role requires conducting health assessments, collaborating with various agencies, and addressing the needs of individuals. Ideal candidates will have qualifications in nursing or social work, and knowledge of mental health issues and the criminal justice system. Opportunities for career development and a supportive work environment are offered.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in nursing, social work, or a relevant field required.
• Degree qualification in a relevant subject or equivalent experience necessary.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and understanding of local health services.

Responsibilities

• Carry out holistic health assessments for service users to promote autonomy.
• Assess individual needs and refer to appropriate services.
• Contribute to risk assessments and management plans.

Skills

Knowledge of mental health issues

Knowledge of Criminal Justice System

Knowledge of substance misuse

Knowledge of Autism and ADHD

Knowledge of Mental Health Act

Education

Professional recognised qualification (RMN, RGN, etc.)

Degree qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Go back Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Health & Justice Band 6 Practitioner

The closing date is 27 January 2026

An opportunity has arisen within the Health and Justice Reconnect Team for the role of Health and Justice Practitioner based in Sussex within the Reconnect team.

The role will focus on providing the Reconnect service to HMP Lewes however cross-cover to HMP Ford and IRC Gatwick may be required as well as supporting Service Users and the team in the community.

The Health and Justice services identify people who have substance misuse, mental health, learning disability or other vulnerabilities when they come onto contact with the criminal justice system. We look to identify unmet need and vulnerabilities that often lead to or exacerbate offending behaviour, offer onward referral and signposting as appropriate. We liaise across agencies to support onward planning and intervention to address identified needs and where appropriate support the diversion of individuals away from the criminal justice process into a more appropriate setting.

The wider Health and Justice Service includes Liaison and Diversion who work in Police Custody Suites, Courts and the Community throughout Sussex offering assessments and support to individuals within the Criminal Justice system including Voluntary Attendees.

This is an 'all age' service and so you will be required to work with people from the age of 10 years upwards.

*THIS ROLE IS SUBJECT TO PRISON VETTING*The post holder will be expected to travel across the MPFT footprint*

Main duties of the job

**Please refer to the attached Job Description in summary:**

Take responsibility for holistic health assessment (within service specification) in Health and Justice in conjunction with service user and carer (If necessary), helping to promote self-determination, choice and autonomy.

Assess service users individual needs, agree and refer on to appropriate agency.

Complete and contribute, where appropriate to robust risk assessments and risk management plans. Deliver and promote positive risk taking, where appropriate, to improve quality of life and maximise occupational performance/independence.

Maintain an effective reporting system by observing and reporting verbally and electronically in health records.

Utilise agreed outcome measures to review the effectiveness of process, as part of Health and Justice Service.

To use both Silvercloud and Justice Star tools in supporting service users.

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

**Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details on this role.**

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, RGN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, AHP.
• Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability. Knowledge of Criminal Justice System, including roles and responsibilities of staff working in it. Knowledge of use and interpretation of health screening tools. Knowledge of assessing and mitigating risk - including risk of harm to self and others. Knowledge of a wide range of vulnerabilities including the needs of children and young people. Knowledge and understanding of capacity and consent. Knowledge of theoretical approaches to working with vulnerable people. Knowledge of appropriate health and social care interventions. Knowledge of relevant law, as a minimum; Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Children Act, Social Care Act and PACE code C. Knowledge of human growth and development. Knowledge of Safeguarding Adults and Children Knowledge of Information Governance, Data Protection and GDPR.
• Specialist knowledge in substance misuse.
• Specialist knowledge in Autism and ADHD. Specialist knowledge in Personality Disorder Specialist knowledge Domestic Violence. Knowledge of Psychosocial and Psychological Approach.

Experience

• Experience of the Immigration System.

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.

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust