Job summary
Employer heading
Mental Health Practitioner
Band 6 - 7
Job overview
*Appointment for this post will be at band 6 with the chance to move to band 7 on completion of a set of competencies*
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’s health needs, and past experiences can be linked to their criminal offending? By identifying and reducing health needs, can vulnerable people be supported to make positive changes and reduce the risk of reoffending?
We’re looking for a qualified Mental Health/Learning Disabilities nurse, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, or Social Worker to join our Liaison and Diversion team.
You’re an enthusiastic, experienced, and registered health/social care professional with an interest in health and justice and a passion for supporting people in police custody or court. Previous experience in criminal justice and offender health is desirable, but not essential.
With a reputation for excellence, our service is committed to improving the health of our clients, identifying care pathways, and reducing reoffending. We’re an award-winning team, including the Howard League for Penal Reform ‘Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year’ and ‘Women’ categories, commendations from Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary and Berkshire Healthcare ‘Team of the Year’.
Main duties of the job
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To attend police custody suites and magistrates’ courts providing assessments, advice and identifying robust care pathways for individuals with a potential health vulnerability.
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To provide the police and court with written and verbal information about individuals in a timely fashion to help decision-making.
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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.
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To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
Work base:
You will work within police custody suites in Berkshire, which include Reading Custody and Maidenhead Custody. You may also be required to work from any of our sites in Thames Valley to meet service needs.
Our service operates in police custody from 7am – 8pm, 7 days a week using a combination of early shifts, late shifts. Our service does not operate at night. Requests for specific working pattens can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.
Working for our organisation
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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The “must haves” for this role:
- A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy, SALT or Social Work along with relevant registration.
- At least 18-months post registration experience
- Licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to multiple sites across Berkshire as required.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Louise Smith 07929767593 Email [email protected] who’ll be delighted to help.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential criteria
- A professional qualification at diploma, post graduate & degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapist, Social Work, or Health Visitor with the necessary experience
- Hold current registration with pertinent body (RMN, SW, HCPC, SCHN)
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of post registration training and development
- Practice Assessor/ PEPS2 / Mentorship qualification or equivalent teaching qualification.
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- Ability to integrate theory and practice to an enhanced level with the responsibility for delivery of care
- Ability to work and communicate across multiple agencies and professions.
- Ability to work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to think creatively and problem solve
- Ability to work as part a team
Desirable criteria
- Significant experience at Band 5 or equivalent in a community setting.
- Training / presentation skills
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- An ability to work under pressure
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations
- Ability to work effectively with service users and carers in a collaborative manner
- Understanding of the theories underpinning the concept of recovery and the wider determinants of health
Additional Requirements
Essential criteria
- Professional in approach, manner and appearance.
- In addition to DBS there is additional requirement to secure police vetting for this role. This is essential for the role
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
- Ability to travel to multiple sites efficiently to work effectively with service users and line manage support staff across the service.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Louise Smith
- Job title
- Clinical Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07584557164
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