Liaison and Diversion Support, Time and Recovery Worker

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS pension scheme

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Blue Light Card benefits

Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Liaison and Diversion Support, Time and Recovery Worker based at Mallard Court, Bridgwater. You will assess vulnerability, provide practical and emotional support, and help service users engage with health, social care and community services to improve outcomes.

Working within the LADS program, you will collaborate with police, courts and other agencies to ensure timely access to appropriate support, maintain confidential records, and contribute to

Qualifications

• NVQ 3 Promoting Independence or Health based equivalent.
• Experience of working with people in caring situations.
• Experience of working in community settings.
• Experience of dealing with trauma and vulnerabilities.
• Experience of working within criminal justice services (Police, Probation, Courts).

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessments of vulnerability to identify needs and referrals.
• Provide information, advice, encouragement and practical support to service users.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in line with policy; support data monitoring.
• Work predominantly in custody settings and in courts/community locations.
• Collaborate with police, courts, probation, health services and partners to coordinate support.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Communication

Education

NVQ 3 Promoting Independence or Health based equivalent

Job description

Liaison and Diversion Support, Time and Recovery Worker

Are you passionate about making a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people? Do you have experience supporting individuals facing mental health challenges, trauma, or social exclusion? If so, we would love to hear from you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Liaison and Diversion Service (LADS) as a Support, Time and Recovery (STR) Worker, based at Mallard Court, Bridgwater. Working within NHS England's Liaison and Diversion programme, you will support individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system and may have mental health needs, learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental conditions, substance misuse issues, or other vulnerabilities.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will undertake assessments of vulnerability, provide practical and emotional support, facilitate access to services and help individuals engage with appropriate health, social care and community support. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Main duties of the job

• Support individuals within police custody, magistrates' courts and community settings to identify their needs and access appropriate services and support.
• Complete assessments of mental health and other vulnerabilities and assist with referrals to relevant health, social care and community services.
• Provide information, advice, encouragement and practical support to service users, helping them engage with services and work towards positive outcomes
• Work collaboratively with police, courts, probation services, health professionals, carers and partner agencies to coordinate support and improve outcomes.
• Promote recovery-focused approaches and support service users to make meaningful changes that improve their wellbeing and quality of life.
• Identify safeguarding concerns, contribute to risk management processes and support the protection of individuals from harm or abuse.
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential clinical records in line with Trust policies and national standards.
• Participate in data collection, service monitoring and reporting activities to support local and national service requirements.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of practice.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in a demanding and fast-paced environment.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

The LADS Support, Time and Recovery Worker will be a key member of the Liaison and Diversion Service, supporting people of all ages who come into contact with the criminal justice system and who may have unmet health, social care or wider support needs. The role focuses on identifying vulnerabilities at the earliest opportunity and ensuring individuals are connected with appropriate services that can support their recovery and wellbeing.

Working predominantly within police custody settings, and at times within magistrates' courts and community locations, you will undertake assessments of vulnerability, gather relevant information and work alongside the wider multidisciplinary team to provide psychologically informed, person‑centred support. You will help individuals understand the support available to them and encourage engagement with services designed to address their needs.

You will build positive and professional relationships with service users, carers, families and a wide range of partner agencies, including police, probation, courts, health services and voluntary sector organisations. Effective communication and collaborative working will be central to ensuring that individuals receive the right support at the right time.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records, contributing to service monitoring requirements and ensuring information is shared appropriately to support informed decision‑making within the criminal justice system. You will also play an important role in recognising safeguarding concerns and escalating risks in line with local policies and procedures.

We are looking for an experienced support worker who has a good understanding of mental health and the broader vulnerabilities that can impact offending behaviour. You will be compassionate, resilient and able to work confidently with individuals experiencing distress, trauma or complex circumstances. Previous experience in a healthcare, community or support‑based environment is essential, while experience working within criminal justice settings would be advantageous.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a service that helps vulnerable individuals access the support they need while promoting better outcomes across health and criminal justice systems. If you share our commitment to kindness, respect and teamwork, we would welcome your application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ 3 Promoting Independence or Health based equivalent, or willing to undertake full training to achieve this standard.

Experience

• Experience of working with people e.g. in a caring situation, dealing with the general public.
• Experience of working in community settings.
• Previous experience of caring for people who have experienced trauma and vulnerabilities.
• Experience of working within criminal justice services (Police, Probation, Courts, etc).

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.