Health & Justice Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Job Overview

The service is funded through the NHS England Liaison and Diversion Programme. Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services aim to identify people who may have mental health issues, a learning disability, substance misuse issues or other vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system.

Our direct contact with service users may take place at police stations or in the courts. Our work can be very challenging but we continue to aim to ensure that individuals receive the best and most appropriate care for their needs. Through screening, assessment and appropriate referral, we are able to promote better health outcomes, reduce re‑offending and reduce pressure on the police and court services.

• The role involves working with a wide range of services such as the police, probation, court and legal services, inpatient and community health, and social care services.
• Work includes unsocial hours on weekday evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Requires excellent communication skills and flexibility to work alongside these different groups, and the ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• Supervision and consultation are available to support practice.
• This post will cover both Willesden Magistrates Court and Wembley Police Custody Suite.
• Work may occur in police stations or in the courts.

• Non‑declaration of criminal convictions or police involvement.
• Information regarding previous investigations, warnings, cautions (regardless of age).
• County court judgments.
• Less than 3‑year residency.
• Defaults – no debt management plans in place.
• Convictions resulting in imprisonment or suspended sentence.
• Vetting applications will be returned if any details are omitted.
• Family members, partners, co‑residents and parents’ partners must be provided.
• Address history must run 5 years straight.

• Act as an autonomous practitioner in court and police detention cells, assess an individual’s mental state and risk, and implement a care pathway.
• Screen youths in police custody during shifts when the youth justice liaison is absent, engaging with them and making onward referrals to safeguarding, youth offending teams and CAMHS as needed.
• Conduct full mental state assessment, risk assessment and gather background history for individuals with serious mental illnesses or personality disorders and associated learning, social, personal, dependency and substance misuse issues in police custody suites and court detention.
• Prepare accurate written reports following assessment in line with quality standards.

• Qualified Registered Mental Nurse, Mental Health Social Worker or Occupational Therapist with current registration with the relevant professional body.
• Substantial evidence of continuing professional development and post‑registration training.
• Post‑registration qualification in forensic mental health.

• Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary/multi‑agency team.
• Post‑registration experience in a community or forensic psychiatric setting at Band 6 or equivalent or above.
• Experience of crisis work and risk assessment.
• Experience of working in forensic psychiatry.
• Experience of assessing clients with drug/alcohol related problems and clients with a history of transience or homelessness.
• Experience in Liaison and Diversion.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to make comprehensive psycho‑social assessments and good report writing skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a multi‑disciplinary/multi‑agency team.
• Skills in assessing people with forensic history or need.