Reconnect Practitioner

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism, community, and physical health services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) delivers a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults, including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, and forensic services with low and medium secure care.
• Specialist mental health inpatient care for individuals with learning disabilities, alongside specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
• Extensive community physical health and well‑being services for children and adults, covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long‑term condition management.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,500 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health, general nurses, children’s nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers, as well as those specialising in learning disabilities and community physical health services.

Please note - this role does not offer sponsorship.

Essential:
Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice

Desirable:
Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist.

• Psychology Degree
• CBT Diploma
• Substance Misuse Diploma

The post holder will work within the ReConnect Care after Custody for Lancashire & Cumbria, covering 6 prisons & also the wider community of Lancashire & Cumbria. Reconnect is a triage, assessment, referral & support service and starts working with people before they leave prison, where they will have access to Reconnect practitioners, engagement practitioners & Peer Support Workers, helping them to make the transition to community‑based services.

It is offered to people in prison up to 12 weeks prior to release, & up to 6 months support post release.

Vetting and Clearances:

• LSCFT staff entering the prison or probation estate will be subject to HMPPS security vetting carried out by National Offender Management Service and will be required to undergo Enhanced Level 1 vetting.
• The post holder is also expected to have Enhanced DBS status.
• The post holder should have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.

Reconnect will create an effective link between prison & community in order to:

• increase access & uptake up of healthcare or relevant support services for vulnerable individuals who would otherwise struggle to engage
• reduce health inequalities for prison leavers
• ensure the health needs of individuals who are leaving prison are met
• ensure a safe transition from prison to community‑based healthcare & support services & to provide follow‑up to ensure engagement is maintained

The Reconnect Practitioner role will identify and respond to requests to screen and assess people with vulnerabilities for persons who are approaching release from Her Majesty’s Prisons and subsequently provide support within the community upon their release from prison. Referrals will be identified and received where there have been concerns that an individual has mental health issues, learning disability, substance misuse, social care, safeguarding or other vulnerabilities.

Assessment will consider the emotional wellbeing, cultural and gender needs, age and development related needs, including transition to adulthood and older person needs, social circumstances (including, relationships, leisure requirements, daily living, educational and occupational needs, employment/vocational needs, housing, finance) of those referred to ReConnect.

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all,…