Speech and Language Criminal Justice Lead

Do you think everyone under arrest is guilty of a crime?

Or that all criminals should be locked up for as long as possible?

If so, this is NOT the job for you.

Do you believe that a person under arrest should be entitled to be interviewed in a way that they can understand and engage with?

Do you believe that people should be able to understand their bail conditions instead of being rearrested for unknowingly breaking them?

By identifying speech, language and communication needs, vulnerable people can be supported to partake in the Criminal Justice System and adhere to conditions set out for them, which can make positive changes to their experience through the justice system and reduce their risk of reoffending.

We're looking for a qualified Speech and Language Therapist to join our Liaison and Diversion team.

Ideally, you'll be an enthusiastic, experienced, and registered Speech and Language Therapist with an interest in health and justice and a passion for supporting people making their way through police custody or court. Previous experience in criminal justice and offender health is desirable, but we'll consider candidates without this.

Main duties of the job

• To lead on the design and delivery of interventions that support the implementation of the Speech and Language Liaison and Diversion agenda. To lead on the development, organisation, quality, and governance of Speech and Language Therapist provision.
• To be responsible for a highly specialist speech and language portfolio which will include provision of expert advice to speech and language therapists, senior clinicians, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) across Hampshire & IOW to support them in taking up their duty of care and to provide the police and court with written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.
• To attend police stations, custody suites, community settings and magistrates' courts and provide specialist speech and language assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential vulnerability has been identified.
• 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 deliver specialist training on Speech and Language need within Criminal Justice pathways to custody sergeants, magistrate and crown court and other key stakeholders.
• To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must-haves for you to be considered for this role:

• Recognised Speech and Language Therapy Degree
• Health Professions Council licence to practice
• Registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• A minimum of 18 months experience at Band 6 or equivalent in a community setting.
• Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to multiple sites across Berkshire as required.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

• A professional qualification at diploma, post graduate & degree level or equivalent in Speech & Language Therapy
• Hold current registration with pertinent body SALT
• Evidence of post registration training and development

Desirable

• Mentorship qualification or equivalent teaching qualification.

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Knowledge and experience of modern mental health services social inclusion, recovery, service user involvement, carer support

Previous Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 18 months experience at Band 6 or equivalent in a community setting.
• Experience of organising and delivering clinical supervision, managing performance, breaches in policy & liaising closely with Human Resources
• Able to assess and manage risk, formulate mitigation plans taking into account health and criminal justice outcomes
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
• Ability to work as part a team understand dynamics & leadership
• Have knowledge and skills to work with specialist groups of people, including young people, people with dual diagnoses and personality disorder

Desirable

• Experience of operating across Criminal Justice & Health and reconciling both systems when planning onward support for vulnerable individuals
• Ability to think creatively and problem solve
• Ability to create and facilitate training and learning events

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• An ability to work under pressure across multiple systems such as Criminal Justice & Health
• Ability to plan and organise a range of complex clinical activities which require judgements to be made on competing factors
• Ability to work effectively with service users and carers in a collaborative manner

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Professional in approach, manner.
• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
• Ability to travel efficiently to multiple sites

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Liaison & Diversion Service - Hants & IOW
Portsmouth
PO1 4JT

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

371-MHS617