Health & Justice RECONNECT Practitioner

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Reconnect Practitioner to support individuals within the criminal justice system. This role involves conducting holistic health assessments, managing vulnerabilities, and collaborating across agencies to provide the necessary support. Ideal candidates will have a professional qualification in healthcare and knowledge of mental health issues and criminal justice practices. This position requires travel across Staffordshire and offers opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Ongoing training and support

Workplace diversity and inclusivity initiatives

Qualifications

• Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, RGN, Learning Disability Nurse.
• Demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for holistic health assessments with service users.
• Assess individual needs and refer to appropriate agency.
• Complete and contribute to risk assessments and management plans.

Skills

Knowledge of mental health issues

Knowledge of Criminal Justice System

Ability to assess and mitigate risk

Knowledge of safeguarding practices

Knowledge of health and social care interventions

Education

Professional recognised qualification

Degree qualification in relevant subject

Job description

Job Overview

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that sponsorship is required to undertake this role, your application may be withdrawn.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Health and Justice Reconnect Team for the role of Reconnect Practitioner based in Staffordshire. The role will focus on providing the Reconnect service to Prisons across Staffordshire as well as supporting Service Users and the team in the community.

The Reconnect services identify people who have substance misuse, mental health, learning disability or other vulnerabilities when they encounter 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.

The Reconnect Team based in Prison offer assessment to individuals prior to their release, and will provide ongoing support to address their Health Needs and vulnerabilities on transition into the community.

We offer brief community-based intervention to maximise service user access and engagement with appropriate services.

This is an 'all age' service and so you will be required to work with people from the age of 15 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

• Take responsibility for holistic health assessment (within service specification) 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.
• To use both Silvercloud and Justice Star tools in supporting service users.

Working for our organisation

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.

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria:

• Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, RGN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, AHP.

Desirable criteria:

• Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential criteria:

• 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.

Desirable criteria:

• 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

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of the Immigration System.