Senior Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Greater Manchester Mental Health; Manchester; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in mental health services is seeking a Senior Liaison and Diversion Practitioner to enhance the identification of mental vulnerability in individuals within the criminal justice system. This role involves working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to conduct assessments and provide timely support to those in need. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in bridging health and social care with justice services, ensuring compassionate care and effective risk management. Join a dedicated team committed to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals across Greater Manchester.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Must be a registered professional with relevant post-registration training.
• Experience in mental health and knowledge of community health services is essential.

Responsibilities

• Act as a senior duty practitioner and improve mental vulnerability identification.
• Facilitate assessments and support access to health and social care services.

Skills

Mental health assessment

Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) collaboration

Excellent communication skills

Risk management

Compassionate care delivery

Knowledge of Criminal Justice system

Leadership skills

Problem-solving approaches

Education

Professional qualification registered on NMC/HCPC

Post registration training in relevant fields

Leadership/Management training

Job description

Senior Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Band 6

Main area: Liaison Specialist Services - Greater Manchester

Grade: Band 6

Contract: Permanent

Hours:

• Full time
• Part time

37.5 hours per week (Working across the service between the hours of 07:00hrs -19:00hrs across 7 days a week. Happy to discuss flexible working)

Job ref: 437-6232799-A-A

Site: Covering All Greater Manchester Courts and Police Custodies

Town: Manchester

Salary: £37,338 - £44,962 per annum pro rata

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 01/01/2025 23:59

Job Overview

Greater Manchester Liaison and Diversion Service

This ageless service will provide access to appropriately skilled and compassionate professionals in police custody suites and at courts across Greater Manchester.

The successful applicant will work to support the better identification of mental vulnerability for children and adults who are coming into contact with the criminal justice system. Working as part of a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary team, the successful candidate will provide screening and formal assessments that recognise when significant need or risk requires addressing. This will inform the Criminal Justice process and support individuals to access appropriate services in a timely manner.

Main Duties of the Job

The Liaison and Diversion Senior Practitioner will function at a high competency level. He/she will have responsibility for actively participating as a key member of the multi-disciplinary team within the trust-wide CJL Team. The post holder will:

1. Act as senior duty as per rota
2. Improve identification and screening of mental vulnerability in children and adults in contact with or at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system.
3. Facilitate assessments in accordance with CPA, MHA, MCA, Equality Act 2010 and local and national service pathways.
4. Share relevant information with Criminal Justice decision makers, to inform charging, sentencing and diversion.
5. Support access to appropriate health and social care for individuals in contact with the criminal justice system.
6. Support and contribute to the management of risk to the public.
7. Positively contribute to the improvement of awareness and reduction of stigma in criminal justice, health and social care settings.

Working for Our Organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Professional qualification registered on the appropriate part of the NMC/HCPC register
• Post registration training in relevant fields
• Leadership/Management training

Experience

• Experienced mental health, CAMHS or learning disability practitioner with a good working knowledge of how health and social care services are delivered in a community setting
• Experience of Multi-Disciplinary working
• Evidence of positive contribution to change management
• Demonstrate experience of problem-solving approaches
• Experience or knowledge/understanding of the Criminal Justice system and settings
• Experience of working with children/young adults

Skills

• Ability to work as part of an MDT
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
• Flexible and responsive approach to care
• Ability to identify and support the management of risk in a proportionate and defensible manner
• Understanding and experience of delivering care with compassion in a sometimes pressured environment
• Experience of the interface between Health Services and the Criminal Justice System
• Ability to work with minimum supervision in a safe and coordinated manner
• Ability to promote, develop and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in health, social care and criminal justice settings

Knowledge

• Awareness of children/vulnerable adults guidelines
• Knowledge or willingness to develop awareness of wider mental vulnerability as defined by PACE
• Understanding of the interface between health, social care and criminal justice services and a commitment to overcoming potential barriers

Other

• Demonstrate a commitment to respecting and displaying the Trust Values at all times

Important Information about Working for GMMH:
All positions within the Trust are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks. For further information on the checks required please visit the NHS Employers website.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities.

Sponsorship

We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website.

If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website.

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.

We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment. Please contact our Recruitment Team for more information.

**Please note, this vacancy may be closed at any time if sufficient applications have been received**

Employer Certification / Accreditation Badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.