Liaison & Diversion Newly Qualified Practitioner

BERKSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the UK is seeking a qualified Mental Health Nurse to join the Thames Valley Liaison and Diversion team. This role involves triaging and assessing individuals in various settings, with a rotational pattern across police custody, court, and prison. Candidates must hold a degree in a relevant field and have a keen interest in Liaison and Diversion services. Flexible working options and generous benefits are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days annual leave

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning and career development opportunities

Discounts at popular retailers

Qualifications

• Professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in relevant field.
• Relevant registration or pending registration required.
• Prepared to travel to multiple sites across Thames Valley.

Responsibilities

• Triage, screen, and assess needs in various settings.
• Provide timely written and verbal information to police and court.
• Work closely with all referring agencies.

Skills

Interest in Liaison and Diversion

Driving licence

Education

Degree in Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy, or Social Work

Job description

We're looking for a recently/newly qualified (or those who expect to qualify within the next 4 months) Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disabilities nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker to join our Thames Valley Liaison and Diversion team. You will have a keen interest in Liaison and Diversion and a passion about supporting our service users as they make their way through police custody, court and up to prison.

Post will be rotational over an 18‑month period. Initially started in police custody then moving across to court and then our Prison Reconnect Team. Each section of the service will have set competencies to be completed. Following this 18‑month period of working 9‑5 Monday to Friday the role will transition into a police custody role working shifts.

You will be offered access to the trust’s Preceptorship Programme or AYSE support. Berkshire Healthcare has been awarded the 2023 National Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark. Recognised with a number of awards, including a Thames Valley/Hampshire Constabulary Police Commendation, Berkshire Healthcare ‘Team of the Year’ and runner‑up for the Howard League for Penal Reform ‘Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year’.

You will work with and support the senior practitioner within police custody, court or prison.

Responsibilities

• Triage, screen and assess needs with support from senior practitioners within the following settings: police stations, prisons, custody suites, community settings and magistrates' courts and provide assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways for individuals where a potential vulnerability has been identified.
• Provide the police and court with written and verbal information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.
• Work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court, and community.

Working pattern

Our service operates in police custody from 7am–8pm, 7 days a week, currently using early/late/long days to fulfil this. Our service operates in court from 9am–5pm, 5 days a week. Our service operates across the Thames Valley area so travel across our sites will be expected, some of these sites are not accessible via public transport. Any request for specific working patterns can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.

This role will operate Monday–Friday, 9am to 5pm on a rotational basis across police custody, court and reconnect.

You will work from within police custody suites, court and prison on a rotational basis across Thames Valley.

Qualifications

• A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy, or Social Work along with relevant registration or pending registration.
• A keen interest in Liaison and Diversion services.
• Driving licence with access to your own vehicle and preparation to travel to multiple sites across Thames Valley as required.

EEO Statement

At Berkshire Healthcare, we foster an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs. Watch our careers video to learn more. We welcome talent from all backgrounds and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants and armed forces community members who meet the minimum criteria. Please note we may close positions before the advertised date. If you need help with your application, please contact us on [e-mail]. Once you have applied, please check your email regularly for updates. All appointments are subject to NHS Employment Checks, and false information may result in withdrawal of offers. For information on how we store your information, please review our privacy statement. No agencies, please.

About Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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.

Values and Benefits

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 SECONDMENT ROLES ONLY - If the secondment role becomes permanent, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position.