Bank Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

Bank Senior Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 23 January 2026

We are looking for Bank Senior Mental Health Practitioners (Band 7) to join the Criminal Justice Liaison Service at Wotton Lawn Hospital, Gloucester. The role involves working with individuals in the criminal justice system (police custody suites, courts, voluntary interviews, leaving prison) to assess potential mental health or other vulnerability needs, inform case disposal, and facilitate care pathways.

Main duties of the job

• Assess individuals in police custody suites, courts, voluntary interviews or upon leaving prison to identify mental health, learning disability or other vulnerability needs.
• Provide specialised clinical assessments and evidence based advice.
• Refer cases to mental health services, primary and third sector providers ensuring timely access.
• Work in partnership with criminal justice staff to recommend custody or non custodial options.
• Develop contingency plans with partner agencies for high risk offenders.
• Monitor and evaluate interventions to measure progress and effectiveness.
• Engage with individuals and carers to discuss health problems, aid understanding and maintain hope.
• Build and maintain professional networks with local health, criminal justice, housing, education, social care, and statutory organisations.
• Establish robust communication networks with criminal justice partners and other health workers.
• Promote awareness of the role within the team and across the criminal justice service.
• Use effective communication, negotiation and problem solving skills in contentious or hostile situations.
• Apply specialist skills to establish professional competence and fitness to practice.
• Participate in ongoing personal development through internal and external learning opportunities.
• Provide assessments for individuals attending Police Voluntary Interviews, mirroring the support given in custody.

Person Specification

• Professional Registration in Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy.
• Post qualification experience in mental health or a related area.
• Experience working in the Criminal Justice System.
• Experience of providing short term evidence based interventions (e.g., CBT, brief solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing).
• Demonstrable experience in mental health or related area.
• Evidence of formal post registration learning, formal teaching and assessing courses.
• Up to date clinical knowledge including risk assessment, dual diagnosis and complex health and social care needs.
• Strong report writing skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required to confirm no previous criminal convictions.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust