Mental Health Practitioner in ASCC

The Advice and Support in custody and court (ASCC) team provides a service to individuals appearing at Somerset's criminal courts (Taunton, Yeovil, and North Somerset Magistrates' courts, Taunton Crown Court) and to those who have been arrested and are detainees in police custody (Bridgwater).

The service operates 7 days a week, 8.00am to 8.00pm. Staff work predominantly 'long days' to cover these hours. Part-time hours could 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, in partnership with Avon and Wiltshire Partnership, provides the ASCC service to the wider Avon and Somerset police area.

The team's primary role is to complete mental health and other vulnerability assessments in criminal justice settings and identify unmet needs with a view to referring/signposting. The team shares relevant information with criminal justice agencies (with consent) to ensure that wherever individuals are in the criminal justice system, their mental health needs and information about vulnerabilities are known, enabling the police/courts to make informed decisions.

If you are interested, please contact hannah.evans@somersetft.nhs.uk.

Main duties of the job

ASCC practitioners are based in the Bridgwater police custody suite, courts of Somerset, and will work with people of all ages within the criminal justice system where potential mental health, learning disability, and other vulnerabilities are identified.

You will be responsible for undertaking initial assessments within police custody and court systems, and providing a rapid, high-quality written screening report. You will offer professional guidance, advice, and an educative role to colleagues working within the criminal justice system, along with liaison with community services. The service acts as a "first point of contact," providing mental health advice for people held in police custody or appearing in court, alongside assessment, liaison, and facilitating access to appropriate mental health and social care services.

You will also be involved in implementing and reviewing referral pathways with the police so that they can effectively identify mental health problems and refer appropriately. In addition, you will compile and present health and social circumstances reports and facilitate the production of psychiatric reports to court when required. At times, you may have to give verbal opinions to the courts.

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.

Job responsibilities

As part of the wider ASCC team, you will be part of a rota mainly covering Bridgwater police custody. You may also need to provide some cover to Taunton, Yeovil, and North Somerset Magistrates' Court, and will be part of a "voluntary attenders" project, a service for those individuals who are suspected of committing an offence but interviewed at a police station or other location voluntarily, rather than being arrested and brought into police custody. At times you will be working autonomously, completing rapid assessments and screening reports, but with support available from the senior practitioners and/or Band 6 colleagues. You will also complete monthly data returns as required by the Liaison and Diversion programme.

You will offer professional guidance, advice, and an educative role to colleagues working within the criminal justice system, and liaison with community services. This involves a commitment to close partnership working with both statutory and voluntary sector agencies and a commitment to working with an often complex and diverse range of individuals with varying needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• RMN/Degree/Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, CQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social Work, Degree in Occupational Therapy, and 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 working in a community mental health setting. Experience of working within a Forensic/Criminal Justice environment.

Additional Criteria

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including presentation of cases. Compassionate - open-minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers, and relatives with dignity and respect. Holds a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle to travel across offices.

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.