Qualified Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in Chelmsford seeks a Qualified Mental Health Practitioner to provide expert assessments and support within the criminal justice system. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience, including strong communication skills and the ability to work autonomously. The role offers flexible shift patterns and the chance to work closely with various agencies, ensuring vulnerable individuals receive necessary support. Excellent training and benefits are part of the package.

Benefits

Salary Sacrifice schemes including Childcare Vouchers

NHS discounts for staff

Occupational Health and Counselling support

Excellent training facilities and opportunities

Qualifications

• Good understanding of Community Care Act, Mental Health Act, and Mental Capacity Act.
• Understanding of Clinical Governance and Safeguarding.
• Experience of working as a band 5 with at least 12 months post-basic experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessments and recommendations for individuals in the criminal justice system.
• Conduct screenings of social and health needs from pre-arrest to release.
• Collaborate closely with Essex Police, Courts, and Probation Services.

Skills

Literate in IT/Computer Skills

Good oral communication skills

Experience of working with children and young people

Education

RMN or RNLD Qualification with 12 months post qualification

Evidence of post qualification training

Job description

Go back Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Qualified Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 29 December 2025

POLICE VETTING CLEARANCE IS A REQUIREMENT FOR THIS POST.

2 Permanent and 1 Fixed Term contract Required. Both 37.5 hours per week.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Liaison and Diversion Practitioner to join our Essex Liaison and Diversion Service, providing expert advice and interventions within our Essex Police Custodies and courts across Essex.

The shift patterns covering the Essex County Wide Service provides flexibility with 3 long days 0730-2000hrs in the custody suites or 9-5 inside courts covering Essex.

You will join an expert team who are committed to providing outstanding care within these settings, working closely with all agencies involved in the criminal justice system and working autonomously providing written reports and assessments/screening.

If you have what it takes to work with individuals who are vulnerable and challenging who require diverting away from the criminal justice system this could be the role for you.

You will need to ensure you hold a current full licence as driving is required for this post.

Main duties of the job

The post holder has the responsibility of providing and enhancing services for individuals in the criminal justice system from pre-arrest to release. They will be expected to work closely with Essex Police, Courts and Probation Services. You will be expected to complete screenings/assessments of a person's social and health needs at any point within the criminal justice system from the age of 10 years onwards. The posts will also complete court reports giving appropriate information on any health issues in relation to their offending and make recommendations. The post holder will work with the police to provide assessment and signposting for people involved in incidents who are in immediate need of support for their mental health.

About us

We are looking for motivated staff who share our Trust values of Positive, Welcoming, Respectful, Involving, Kind and Accountable. In return EPUT can offer you a range of benefits including;

• Salary Sacrifice schemes including Childcare Vouchers, lease cars and Cycle to Work
• Season Ticket Loans
• Participation in the Working Longer Review supporting staff to work longer
• NHS discounts for staff
• Weekly health & wellbeing articles
• Equality and Diversity Sub-Groups where staff can raise issues relating to equality at work
• Equality Champions who are there to support other staff requiring support at work
• Occupational Health and Counselling providers which includes 24 hour counselling support line for staff and access to a wide range of support and advice about a range of issues including finance and debt, consumer rights, housing, welfare and family rights and domestic violence
• Active members of a range of national bodies which support health and wellbeing of the workforce (Age UK, Stonewall, Disability Two ticks, Mindful Employer)
• An active Staff Side Body to represent staff issues and a range of recognised staff/professional unions.
• Successful achievement of the National IIP Health and Wellbeing Award
• Excellent Training facilities and opportunities, working closely with a number of Universities to support staffs professional development
• Feature in the top 100 employers index for HSJ

Job responsibilities

For full details please refer to Job Description and Personal Specification

For further details / informal visits contact: Catherine Orchard Service Manager 01245 315121

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• RMN or RNLD Qualification with 12 months post qualification
• Evidence of post qualification training

Knowledge

• Good understanding of the Community Care Act, Mental Health Act. Mental Capacity Act,
• Good understanding of the Bradley Report and Supporting Health, Improving Justice Report, national policy and the implications for mental health e.g. crisis care concordat
• Understanding the principles and practice of leadership, supervision and management.
• Understanding of Clinical Governance and Safeguarding.
• Awareness of working within secure environments

Skills and Experience

• Literate in IT/Computer Skills
• Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English language
• Experience of working as a band 5 (at least 12 months post basic experience).
• Prioritising of own and others workload demands, in the face of competing pressures.
• Experience of working with children and young people

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.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust