About this role
Job summary
Important: This post requires successful candidates to undergo NPPV Level 2 (full) Police Vetting of which successful clearance is essential in order to fulfil the role. As part of this vetting process the candidate is required to have been resident in the UK for at least three years.
An opportunity has arisen within the Liaison and Diversion Team for the role of Liaison & Diversion Practitioner as part of The Bay Liaison & Diversion Team. This key position within the established Liaison and Diversion Service for Police Custody Suites and Magistrates Courts will be offered as a permanent post.
This postholder will be expected to work across all three sites (Barrow, Kendal and Lancaster)
The service operates seven days per week 8-8 when fully operational and staff work on a rotational shift basis.
Essential Criteria: A minimum of NVQ Level 3 in relevant subject OR Diploma in Health and Social Care AND/OR Experience of working with people with complex needs for a minimum of 2 years
Desirable: Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, and Occupational Therapist. Psychology Degree CBT Diploma, Substance Misuse Diploma
Please refer to the Job description and person specification for full details regarding the requirements of the post and essential and desirable criteria
Informal discussions and/or visit is encouraged in order that candidates understand the role
Main duties of the job
Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services identify people who have substance misuse, mental health, learning disability or other vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system as suspects, defendants or offenders.
The service can then support people through the early stages of criminal system pathway, refer them for appropriate health or social care or enable them to be diverted away from the criminal justice system into a more appropriate setting, if required.
This is an 'all age' service and so you will be required to work with people from the age of 10 years upwards and originates from the Bradley Report 2009.
The main things that L&D services do for the people we see are identification, screening, assessment and referral to other services.
We work in Police Custody Suites and Courts throughout Lancashire & Cumbria and offer assessments to individuals within the Criminal Justice system including Voluntary Attendees
We look to identify unmet need and vulnerabilities that often lead to or exacerbate offending behaviour, offer onward referral and signposting as appropriate
We liaise across agencies to support onward planning and intervention to address needs
We offer some brief community based intervention to maximise service user access and engagement with those appropriate service
We help to inform decision makers with relevant and timely information to support sentencing and disposal outcomes.
About us
The Bradley Report (2009) is a useful reference point to learn more and you are encouraged to read this to understand the role of Liaison & Diversion within police custody and the Criminal Justice Service.
LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.
We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.
LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.
The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.
Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability Knowledge of Criminal Justice System, including roles and responsibilities of staff working in it Knowledge of use and interpretation of health screening tools
Experience Essential
Working with people with complex needs for a minimum of 2 years either whilst studying or post qualification Lone working Initial Assessment of Health and Social Needs
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 Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Bay
Lancaster
LA1 1YB
Employer's website https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)