Police Custody L&D Practitioner

West London NHS Trust; Acton Bridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

West London NHS Trust in Acton/West London area is seeking a Band 6 Police Liaison and Diversion Practitioner to operate within Metropolitan Police custody suites. You will conduct mental state and risk assessments, identify vulnerabilities, and coordinate diversion to appropriate services, while maintaining high-quality documentation.

The role centers on autonomous decision-making, clinical judgement and collaboration with police and health partners to support individuals at the point of arrest.

Qualifications

• Experienced mental health professionals with interest in health and justice.
• Ability to work autonomously and make clinical judgments under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills and risk management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Carry out same-day mental state and risk assessments within police custody.
• Gather collateral information from health records and partner agencies.
• Advise custody staff and work with police and partner organisations.
• Divert individuals into appropriate health, social care or third-sector services where indicated.
• Complete high-quality clinical documentation, data collection and reports for courts.

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Police Liaison and Diversion Practitioner to join our well‑established and progressive Liaison and Diversion service, based within Metropolitan Police custody suites at Acton and Hammersmith.

Working in a fast‑paced, varied and sometimes unpredictable environment, you will play a vital role at the point of arrest, identifying mental health needs and vulnerabilities, and ensuring people are supported and diverted to the most appropriate health or social care services. Every day is different, offering excellent opportunities to build clinical expertise, confidence in autonomous decision‑making, and experience within the criminal justice system.

We welcome applications from experienced mental health professionals including Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and other allied health professionals (such as Speech and Language Therapists) who bring significant mental health experience and an interest in health and justice.

If you are motivated, adaptable and want to make a real difference at critical moments in people’s lives, we would love to hear from you.

As a Police Liaison and Diversion Practitioner, you will provide proactive screening, assessment and brief intervention to individuals in police custody, identifying mental health needs, neurodiversity, learning disability, substance misuse and wider vulnerabilities.

You Will

• Carry out same‑day mental state and risk assessments within police custody
• Gather collateral information from health records, partner agencies and professionals
• Advise custody staff and work closely with police and partner organisations
• Divert individuals into appropriate health, social care or third‑sector services where indicated
• Complete high‑quality clinical documentation, data collection and reports for courts to support informed decision‑making

You will primarily work with adults aged 18+ but may assess children and young people when required. Practitioners work autonomously, often under pressure, within a non‑healthcare setting, and must demonstrate excellent communication, clinical judgement and risk management skills.

This post does not involve carrying a caseload, acting as a care coordinator, or participating in CPA.

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Carol Nolan Job title: Service Manager Liaison and Diversion Email address: [e-mail]