Liaison and Diversion Senior Practitioner Bank - Band 6

Liaison and Diversion Senior Practitioner Bank - Band 6

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

The Liaison and Diversion Service is commissioned nationally by NHS England.

It is an All vulnerability service which offers screening and assessment services to anyone above the age of criminal responsibility (age 10 years) who are suspected of having mental health, learning disability, substance problems or other vulnerabilities and find themselves in contact with the criminal justice system.

Individuals are guided through the criminal justice system and signposted or referred to the right services to meet their individual needs and vulnerabilities. The service also provides court-related services which offer greater advice and support to the judiciary, including sharing information via Court reports.

L&D services aim to reduce reoffending, reduce unnecessary use of police and court time and reduce health inequalities for some of the most vulnerable in society.

It requires a commitment from the applicant to close partnership working with the police and other partnership agencies and to working with a complex and diverse range of individuals with varying needs.

Main duties of the job

Following assessment and identification of any vulnerabilities, the practitioner will either facilitate diversion of the individual away from the criminal justice system into appropriate services or alternatively, with the individual's consent, signpost to services to meet any vulnerabilities whilst they continue to be dealt with by the criminal justice system and beyond.

Liaising with other professionals and service providers to ensure appropriate care and support is in place is integral to the role.

We are looking for someone who embraces collaborative working with partner agencies, service users and carers and who has a keen interest in working with the Police. You will need to be resilient and have the ability and confidence to work with a high level of autonomy.

Importantly, you will be dynamic and persevering in your work, be naturally inquisitive, have excellent risk assessment and report writing skills, and the ability to quickly establish and develop rapport with service users.

About us

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we're accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we're run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve the right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

To work as a senior member of a multi-disciplinary team providing intensive mental health and social care assessments, identify care pathways and where indicated diversion to individuals within the police custody suites, courts and probation services.

The successful applicant will work in the police custody suites and courts working with people within the criminal justice system, where potential mental health and/or learning disability need is suspected and further assessment is indicated to inform disposal of the case and to identify robust pathways.

This involves a commitment to close partnership working with both statutory and voluntary sector agencies and a commitment to working with a complex and diverse range of individuals with varying needs.

KEY RESULT AREAS

• To attend police custody suites and magistrates courts and provide mental health assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways for individuals where a potential mental health or learning disability need has been identified.
• To provide the police and court with written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.
• To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court, and probation acting as a single point of contact for health.
• To address the court in person when necessary in order to advise the court in the disposal and care pathway of a particular case.
• Where diversion is indicated to facilitate mental health act assessments at the police station.
• To be proficient in all aspects of care and risk management associated with the role of lead professional, whilst referring to appropriate community teams.
• To provide specialist advice and service to probation and custody suites where indicated.
• To provide mental health information that is proportionate to probation in the formulation of their pre-sentence reports where a potential mental health need has been identified.
• To have the interpersonal skills necessary to develop a therapeutic alliance with emotionally and psychologically disturbed clients and their carers enabling the client to accept responsibility for their personal wellbeing appropriate to their level of cognitive functioning.
• To work collaboratively with clients, carers and multiple other agencies to provide effective care to optimise and maintain clients mental state and overall functioning.
• To have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of current issues and research relevant to the legislative framework and systems in which mental health care is delivered e.g. CPA, MHA (1983) particularly in relation to the police courts and criminal justice system.
• To take personal responsibility and supervise junior staff in the maintenance of written and electronic client and Trust records including inputting data related to own work activity and to be accountable for your own professional practice.
• To participate in the development of and practice within the policies and procedures of the Trust and adhere to NHS, NMC and HCPC guidelines or appropriate governing body specific to professional role.
• To have an understanding of and participate in the clinical audit process within health and social care.
• To assist the team leader in the day-to-day management of the team taking responsibility for delegated areas and regularly acting as shift coordinator.
• To promote and disseminate evidence-based practice relevant to the Assertive Outreach to individuals and target groups within the health and social care community, through the development and delivery of appropriate training.
• To participate in the Trust's appraisal system taking responsibility for own continuous professional development, keeping abreast of current research and evidence base and participating in training and development opportunities.

Trust Values

The Trust is committed to ensuring the highest standards of care and treatment and expects that all staff treat people e.g., service users, their carers, relatives, friends, colleagues, visitors etc., with dignity and respect at all times. The post holder must at all times act in accordance with the Trust's Values.

Honest, open, transparent

Respectful

Person first and in the centre

Improve and be outstanding

Relevant today, ready for tomorrow

Families and carers matter

Safeguarding

Report any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of children, adults service users, members of their families etc., in accordance with Trust Policy.

Prevent and respond appropriately to abuse and understand own role in this by undertaking Safeguarding training.

Trust policies and commitments to be read in line with the relevant Trust Policy

All staff employed by the Trust must comply with the Trust's policies and procedures, undertake appropriate training required for their role and commit to ensure they are aware of the Whistleblowing Policy and how they raise concerns.

Maintain confidentiality, in line with the Trust's Confidentiality Policy and Code of Conduct.

Understand their personal responsibilities with regards to data quality for any information which they create, use or process in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and Trust Data Protection policy.

Comply with the provisions of The Trust's Health and Safety Policy and Protocol. Ensuring their own safety and that of colleagues, service users and visitors. Know the action to be taken in the event of a fire and must undertake fire training annually.

Receive supervision in line with the Trust's Supervision Policy and an annual Appraisal in line with the Trust's Appraisal Policy, during which mandatory, role-specific and personal development needs should be identified and agreed.

Understand their responsibilities under the Trust's Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the policy.

Recognise, respect and support the equality and diversity of staff, colleagues, service users, carers and the public. Contribute to a working environment which promotes and responds positively to difference and diversity.

Ensure they carry out their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 years, as issued under Section 11 of The Children Act 2004, by being familiar with and adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participating in relevant training.

Comply with their professional responsibilities to develop their practice and deliver care through a Clinical Governance framework (i.e. CPD, Audit, Supervision).

Demonstrate, through practice and practical understanding, the importance of the continual development of individual, team and service-wide quality improvement.

Abide by relevant codes of professional practice, with the organisation taking action when codes of conduct are breached.

Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service/organisation, whilst working within a culture of progressive employment practices and commitment to the Investors in People (IiP) Standards.

Adhere to the Trust's smoke-free policies, which prohibits smoking anywhere on Trust grounds.

Being socially responsible by complying with measures that support the Trust in reducing or offsetting our environmental impact.

Identify and report risks, hazards, incidents, accidents and near misses promptly.

In addition to the Trust's own responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, for your safety, ALL staff (and contractors) are responsible for ensuring their work adheres to this Code in the delivery of safe patient care.

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the band as directed. The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A Professional Qualification at degree level or equivalent in either mental health nursing, learning disability nursing, occupational therapy or social work.
• Hold current registration with relevant professional body.
• Evidence of post registration training and development.
• Experience of mentoring/supporting learners or ability to demonstrate the skills required for effective mentoring.
• Equivalent level of teaching mentoring qualification.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrate ability to be flexible, self-motivated and work in M.D.T. setting and ability to work with Partnership agencies.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Ability to work unsocial hours.

Experience

• Experience of working with people who are difficult to engage having developed through theoretical and practical knowledge of working with people with severe and enduring mental illness.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
• Substantial experience of practice at a senior level working autonomously and responsibility of supervising others.
• Substantial experience in community setting.
• Evidence of leadership skills and experience of supervising other staff.
• Experience of support carers and families.
• A proven commitment to working in partnership with service users and carers in the delivery of effective services.
• Experience/training in Research.

Training

• Working knowledge of the MHA 1983, CPA and other relevant codes of practice.
• Training in P.S.I. and C.B.T.
• HCR-20.

Special Knowledge Skills

• Experience of carrying out complex risk assessment and development comprehensive packages of care to meet individual needs and management associated risks.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Skills in specialist assessments, negotiation, engagement and teamwork.
• Recognised qualification in clinical supervision.
• Experience of substance misuse.
• Relapse prevention.
• Use of assessment tools.

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

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.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust