Mental Health Practitioner in LADS

The Liaison and Diversion (LADS) team provides a service 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 detainees 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 parttime 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.

If you are interested in the role, please contact:

To join one of our bimonthly LADS information sessions on MS Teams, please contact Hannah Robson.

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 decisionmaking.
• 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.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

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 joinedup 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.

Person Specification Qualifications

• A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice.
• Either:
• RMN/Degree/Diploma in NursingCQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social WorkDegree in Occupational Therapy
• Current relevant professional registration

Experience

• 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.

Additional Criteria

• 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.

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.