Liaison & Diversion Specialist Practitioner / Team Leader

NHS; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a Liaison and Diversion Deputy Team Leader/Specialist Practitioner to support vulnerable groups involved in the justice system. This role requires a registered healthcare practitioner with a strong background in health and social care, alongside leadership skills. You will oversee a dedicated team, ensuring effective triage assessments and support for individuals with complex needs. Join a dynamic service that plays a crucial role in the NHS's Health and Justice Programme, making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Career breaks

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Registered healthcare practitioner with experience in mental health or social work.
• Evidence of professional development and leadership in mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day supervision and support to the Liaison & Diversion staff.
• Conduct triage assessments of individuals with complex health and social needs.

Skills

Leadership skills in mental health

Strong theoretical and practical knowledge

Ability to make decisions in unpredictable environments

Education

Registered Healthcare Practitioner

Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN)

Evidence of continuing professional development

Job description

Job summary

The Liaison & Diversion service operates an All Age (from age of criminal responsibility - 10yrs), all Vulnerability model based on the National Liaison & Diversion operating model produced by NHS England.

The Liaison and Diversion Deputy Team Leader/Specialist Practitioner is someone with a clinical qualification, experience, and knowledge of Health and Social care, with specialist knowledge and experience of working with vulnerable groups and those likely to be disadvantaged by their involvement in the justice system.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Team Manager, providing day-to-day supervision and support to the Liaison & Diversion Staff. They must be a professionally registered practitioner to work within the Criminal Justice Pathway, providing triage assessments of people with complex health, mental health, and social needs/vulnerabilities.

Liaison & Diversion is central to NHS England's Health and Justice Programme. The service has grown significantly over the past 5 to 10 years and operates in almost every Police Custody Suite and Court in England. The service provides triage to identify unmet needs and vulnerabilities, offering liaison, onward referral, and guidance for individuals involved with Criminal Justice Agencies, and supplies key information to criminal justice decision-makers.

Main duties of the job

Important: This post requires successful candidates to undergo Police NPPV Full Vetting, which is essential for the role.

Please note: This post is subject to an enhanced DBS Clearance. Successful candidates will need to pay for their own DBS check (£50), deducted from the first three months' salary.

Contact for further information or informal discussion

Peter Haworth, L&D Team Manager
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]

or

Pauline Fletcher, Deputy Team Leader
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust promotes flexible working, believing it benefits NHS employees' health and wellbeing. We consider various working patterns such as term-time, part-time, compressed hours, flexi-time, and career breaks. Applicants are encouraged to specify their preferences on their applications and discuss options during interviews.

More information is available on our website: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Date posted

28 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 per annum (subject to confirmation)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-SPS1402-MS

Job locations

Daisyfield Mill, Appleby Street, Blackburn, BB1 3BL

Job description

For more details, please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Registered Healthcare Practitioner
• Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Registered Nurse (Learning Disability or RGN), Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or Speech Language and Communication Therapist
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Experience and knowledge of Liaison and Diversion, especially with disadvantaged groups involved in the justice system

Knowledge (Essential)

• Compliance with Information governance and Data Protection Act
• Understanding of Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)
• Participation in clinical care improvement initiatives

Experience (Essential)

• Post-qualifying experience or at least 12 months relevant experience in community, criminal justice, or secure settings
• Ability to make decisions in unpredictable work environments
• Leadership skills in mental health, learning disability, or liaison and diversion services

Skills (Essential)

• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge, integrating theory and practice
• Support and oversee team performance and service development
• Mastery of methods and tools in a complex, specialized work area

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Employer details

Employer: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Daisyfield Mill, Appleby Street, Blackburn, BB1 3BL

Website: https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/