Liaison and Diversion Twilight Practitioner

BERKSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Reading; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health services trust in Reading seeks a qualified Twilight Shift Practitioner to join the Liaison and Diversion team. This role involves assessing patients in police custody and providing timely information to aid decision-making. The ideal candidate will have a background in mental health or social care and a passion for supporting individuals in the criminal justice system. Benefits include flexible working, NHS pension, and generous leave policies.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning and career development opportunities

'Cycle to Work' scheme

Wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at retailers and restaurants

Staff equality networks

Generous leave policies

Free parking across Trust sites

Qualifications

• Registered health/social care professional with enthusiasm and experience.
• Interest in health and justice, preferably with experience in criminal justice.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage own time.

Responsibilities

• Attend police custody suites to provide assessments and identify care pathways.
• Provide timely written and verbal information to aid decision-making.
• Build links with all referring agencies as a single point of contact.

Skills

Experience in health and justice

Assessment skills

Autonomy and time management

Education

Qualification as a Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or Health Visitor

Job description

Overview

Do you think everyone under arrest is guilty of a crime? Or that all criminals should be locked up for as long as possible? If so, this is NOT the job for you.

Do you believe that a person's health needs, and past experiences can be linked to their criminal offending? By identifying and reducing health needs, can vulnerable people be supported to make positive changes and reduce the risk of reoffending?

We're looking for a qualified Mental Health/Learning Disabilities Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or Health Visitor to join our Liaison and Diversion team as our first ever Twilight Shift Practitioner. You're an enthusiastic, experienced, and registered health/social care professional with an interest in health and justice and a passion for supporting people in police custody or court. Previous experience in criminal justice and offender health is desirable, but not essential. With a reputation for excellence, our service is committed to improving the health of our clients, identifying care pathways, and reducing reoffending. We're an award-winning team, including the Howard League for Penal Reform 'Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year', hold the 'Gold Award for Lived Experience Charter by Career Matters' and 'Women' categories, commendations from Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary and Berkshire Healthcare 'Team of the Year'.

Main duties

• To attend police custody suites providing assessments, advice and identifying robust care pathways for individuals with a potential health vulnerability.
• To provide the police and court with written and verbal information about individuals in a timely fashion to help decision-making.
• To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court and probation, acting as a single point of contact for health.
• To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.

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

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

Benefits

• 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