Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Job Summary

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people at a critical point in their journey? Join our dynamic and expanding Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion (L&D) team, unique, fast‑paced service at the frontline of the criminal justice system.

Unlike traditional community mental health roles, this position offers the opportunity to intervene early at the point when individuals are first brought into custody. You will conduct timely triage assessments and provide crucial support and sign‑posting to people navigating the criminal justice system, working with them until an appropriate outcome is reached.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you will engage with individuals of all ages and with a wide range of complex needs, including mental health issues, learning disabilities, substance misuse, homelessness and social vulnerability. Your work will be instrumental in improving health outcomes, reducing risk and preventing re‑offending, creating real and lasting change.

Rather than care coordination, this role calls for skilled professionals who can think on their feet, work collaboratively and make a measurable impact through innovative and person‑centred practice.

• Work mainly in police custody with some court and community work.
• Travel to cover other custodial sites as required.
• Prioritise and manage a busy caseload of individuals with complex needs.
• Work under pressure and without direct supervision, ensuring timely triage assessments.
• Perform psycho‑social assessments and brief targeted interventions.
• Provide sign‑posting to other agencies and support throughout the criminal justice process.
• Give and receive clinical supervision and support colleagues where required.

• A professional mental health qualification (e.g. RMN, Social Work Degree, BSc/Diploma in OT, SROT, ENB 811/812 or CPN Degree).
• Post‑graduate qualification relevant to specialism (desirable).
• Clinical Supervision qualification (desirable).
• Training to Level 3 in Safeguarding children and young people (desirable).

• Substantial experience managing a busy caseload of clients with a range of mental‑health problems.
• Experience working within a community mental health setting in statutory or voluntary sector.
• Ability to assess and co‑ordinate care including physical‑health, learning‑disability, substance‑misuse presentations.
• Experience working in a multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency environment.
• Participation in user involvement in services.
• Experience working with young people (desirable).

• Understanding of the NFS and Mental Health Act / Mental Health Capacity Act requirements.
• Understanding of the Criminal Justice System and challenges for offenders with mental‑health issues.
• Awareness of community structures and social care management responsibilities.

Essential

• A professional mental health qualification (RMN, Social Work Degree, BSc/Diploma in OT, SROT, ENB 811/812 or CPN Degree).

Desirable

• Post‑graduate qualification relevant to specialism.
• Clinical Supervision qualification.
• Training to Level 3 in Safeguarding children and young people.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Full‑time, compressed hours
• Pay scheme:
  Agenda for change
• Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year
• Band:
  Band 6

Barnstaple Police, Seven Brethren Bank, Sticklepath, Barnstaple, Devon, EX312AS
, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, Exeter – other custodial sites as required.

Date posted: 20 November 2025

Reference number: C-2

Apply through Islet Systems (referral increases chances). Locations include Barnstaple, Exeter, Sidmouth.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address:
Barnstaple Police, Seven Brethren Bank, Sticklepath, Barnstaple, Devon, EX312AS
.

Website:

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Leader and provide part‑time and flexible working where possible.