About this role
Job summary
Are you looking for a dynamic, rewarding role within Criminal Justice where you can make a real difference?
We are seeking an enthusiastic, empathetic, and conscientious Liaison and Diversion Practitioner (LDP) to join our thriving, highly regarded team. The Liaison, Diversion and Reconnect (LDR) service operates countywide across Kent and Medway, working throughout police custody suites, courts, prisons, and the wider community.
In this role, you will identify and support individuals with varied vulnerabilities, helping address health and social needs that impact their well-being and involvement in the criminal justice system. If you excel at stakeholder engagement and are passionate about delivering compassionate care, we would love to welcome you to our team.
We welcome informal enquiries! Before submitting your application, we encourage you to contact the LDR Team Manager by telephone for an informal chat about the position and to learn more about our service.
Main duties of the job
Screening & Assessment: Identify health and social vulnerabilities among individuals in police custody suites and Kent prisons.
Community Aftercare: Work within the LDR Support, Time, Recovery (STR) function to deliver ongoing support and signposting for clients in community settings.
Service Cover: Provide flexible cover across all Kent custody suites, courts, and prison environments based on service needs.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Build and maintain strong working relationships with partner agencies, police, court staff, and local support services.
Travel & Operations: Travel efficiently across a wide geographical area to deliver timely support where it is needed most.
About us
We are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway and are rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD.
Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve.
Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.
Join us if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's working well together.
The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
Job description Job responsibilities Key Requirements & Vetting
Flexibility & Travel: Due to the countywide nature of the role, a full driving licence and access to reliable transport are essential to travel across Kent and Medway.
Vetting: Because this post involves working within custody and prison environments, the successful candidate will be subject to full Kent Police and HMP vetting procedures.
Induction & Training: A comprehensive local induction programme covering all areas of practice will be provided upon appointment.
Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
NVQ level 4 or relevant qualification
Experience Essential
Experience of working to address the health & social care needs of service users Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team Experience of working and liaising with other partnership agencies
Desirable
Experience of working with offenders
Skills and knowledge Essential
Problem solving skills Excellent written communication skills
Desirable
Team working skills within a disciplinary group Evidence of sustained enthusiasm for learning and development
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of health and social care services and provisions
Desirable
Knowledge of the social care needs of people Knowledge of the policies and guidance underpinning the provision of services to people with mental illness Knowledge of the welfare and benefits system Knowledge of the types of resource available in the community to patients of the Forensic Service Knowledge of Adult Protection Procedures
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.
Employer details Employer name Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Address The Red House, Maidstone
Oakapple Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9NW
Countywide
ME16 9NW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)