Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Newport; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

27 days annual leave + buy/sell

Generous NHS pension

Learning and development opportunities

Cycle to Work / car leasing

Wellbeing tools

Discounts at retailers

Staff networks for diversity

Maternity/paternity/adoption leave

Free parking

Job summary

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking professionals for the Isle of Wight Liaison & Diversion Service based in Newport. Roles include assessment and planning for individuals with complex needs within custody suites, courts and prison settings, offering timely access to health and community services.

The post involves working 9am–5pm with every other weekend, potential travel across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire for training and induction.

Responsibilities

• Triage, screen and assess needs within police stations, custody suites, prison, community settings and magistrates' courts, providing assessments, advice and robust care pathways.
• Provide written and verbal information to police, court and prison to inform disposal.
• Work closely with referring agencies, acting as a single health contact point within custody, court, probation and prison.
• Work autonomously, organise and manage own time according to workload.

Job description

We are looking for a passionate Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Health Visitor, Public Health Nurse or Social Worker to join our award-winning Hampshire & Isle of Wight Liaison & Diversion Service. This post is based on the Isle of Wight.

This is an opportunity to use your professional skills beyond traditional clinical settings and support people who are involved with the criminal justice system. You will work with individuals experiencing complex needs and vulnerabilities, including mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness and social exclusion.

You will work across Newport Police Custody Suite and Newport Magistrates' Court and, as required, prison settings, providing specialist assessment, advice and care planning, identifying appropriate pathways into health and community services and helping people access the right support at the right time.

Ideally, you will live on the Isle of Wight. If you live off-island, you will need to consider ferry travel, including time, costs and potential weather-related disruption.

The working pattern for the post is 9am–5pm, including every other weekend. There may be occasional travel across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire for training, team meetings and induction. Some locations are not accessible by public transport.

• Triage, screen and assess needs within the following settings: police stations, custody suites, prison, community settings & magistrates’ courts and provide assessments, advice & identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential vulnerability has been identified.
• To provide the police, court & prison with written & verbal information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal
• To work closely & build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court, probation & prison acting as a single point of contact for health
• To work autonomously, with the ability to organise & manage own time according to delegated workload.

Working Pattern & Service Operating Hours

The wider Hampshire Liaison and Diversion service operates in police custody from 7am-8pm 7 days a week. The court service operates from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

This Isle of Wight post will work 9am-5pm, including every other weekend, & will be based at Newport police custody suite.

The role may also involve supporting colleagues remotely across Hampshire when required. Occasional travel across Hampshire & the Isle of Wight may be expected, including for training, team meetings & during the induction period; some sites are not accessible by public transport. Any request for a specific working pattern can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.

Work Base

Within Newport police custody suite.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our Values At Berkshire Healthcare Are

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Laura Pring Job title: Clinical and Operational Lead Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 0300 123 5066