Health & Justice RECONNECT Practitioner

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Stafford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider in Stafford is seeking a Health & Justice RECONNECT Practitioner to assess and support individuals with vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system. The role involves conducting holistic health assessments, referring service users to appropriate agencies, and collaborating across various sectors. Ideal candidates should have a professional qualification in mental health or social work and experience working with vulnerable populations. This role fosters inclusive practices and may require Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in mental health, social work or nursing.
• Demonstrable experience relevant to field of practice.
• Experience with vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct holistic health assessments and facilitate self-determination.
• Assess service user's needs and refer to appropriate agencies.
• Maintain effective reporting systems and contribute to risk assessments.

Skills

Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability

Knowledge of Criminal Justice System

Knowledge of health screening tools

Assessing and mitigating risk

Knowledge of safeguarding adults and children

Specialist knowledge in substance misuse

Specialist knowledge in Autism and ADHD

Education

Professional recognised qualification (RMN, RGN, etc.)

Degree qualification in relevant subject or equivalent experience

Job description

Health & Justice RECONNECT Practitioner

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 in to 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.

Main duties of the job

Take responsibility for holistic health assessment (within service specification) 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.

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.

Please note that the closing date for this role is 20 October 2025, and we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity.