Mental Health Practitioner in LADS
Posted 1 day ago by NHS
The Liaison and Diversion (LADS) team provides services to individuals appearing at Somerset's criminal courts (Taunton, Yeovil and North Somerset Magistrates' Courts, and Taunton Crown Court) and to people who have been arrested and are in police custody in Bridgwater.
The service operates seven days a week, between 08:00 and 20:00. Staff predominantly work long days to cover these hours, although part time hours may be considered. There is free onsite parking at Bridgwater Police Centre.
The team is part of NHS England's national Liaison and Diversion programme and, with Avon and Wiltshire Partnership, provides LADS services across the wider Avon and Somerset police area.
The team's primary role is to carry out mental health and vulnerability assessments in criminal justice settings, identify unmet needs, and support timely referral to appropriate services. Information is shared with criminal justice partners (with consent) to ensure that individuals' needs are understood and that police and courts can make informed decisions.
Applicants will be required to visit the custody office environment to shadow before interview.
Main duties of the job- Complete rapid mental health and vulnerability assessments in police custody and courts.
- Produce clear written screening reports to support criminal justice decision making.
- Share relevant information (with consent) with police, courts and partner agencies.
- Identify support needs and make referrals or signpost to appropriate services.
- Provide mental health advice and guidance to police, court professionals and other partners.
- Work autonomously, prioritising referrals and managing workload effectively.
- Contribute to service data returns, audits and ongoing service development.
- Participate in the rota covering police custody, courts and voluntary attender appointments.
Clinical Responsibilities
Carry out psychosocial and mental health assessments for individuals in custody or attending court.
Identify risk factors and vulnerabilities and develop safe, appropriate care pathways.
Make referrals to community mental health teams, crisis services, social care, substance misuse teams and other relevant services.
Provide verbal advice to courts when required and liaise with prison mental health teams.
Work effectively with police, court staff, probation, social care and voluntary agencies.
Act as a point of contact for mental health advice within criminal justice settings.
Support consistent information sharing and joined up care pathways.
Training and Professional Development
Deliver mental health and vulnerability training to police, courts and partner agencies.
Support Band 3 staff and contribute to the supervision and learning of students.
Maintain accurate and confidential clinical records in line with Trust and criminal justice systems.
Participate in audit, service reviews and monthly data reporting.
Service Delivery
Work independently during shifts, prioritising assessments and responding to referrals promptly.
Contribute to rota coverage across custody, courts and voluntary attender appointments.
Work safely and professionally in custody and court environments, including with distressed or challenging individuals.
Adhere to all Trust policies, safeguarding requirements and relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
Please be aware: Vetting clearance cannot be granted if the applicant has not been resident in the UK for the minimum period.
Person Specification Qualifications- A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice.
- Either:
- RMN/Degree/Diploma in Nursing, CQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social Work, Degree in Occupational Therapy
- Current relevant professional registration.
- Significant experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
- Significant experience of assessing risk and developing risk management plans.
- Experience of undertaking autonomous assessments.
- Experience of providing supervision.
- Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
- Experience of working within a Forensic/Criminal Justice environment.
- A good understanding of holistic assessment, recovery principles (including health and social care assessments) and the role of secondary mental health services in the delivery of care.
- Good knowledge of resources and working practices across Health and Social Care, including substance misuse, learning disability, children's services and housing.
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.