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- Tasks: Support individuals leaving prison with their healthcare needs and plan their care.
- Company: Join Dorset HealthCare, a leading NHS Foundation Trust dedicated to community health.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment with training for career development and a focus on diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community by helping vulnerable individuals transition to healthcare.
- Qualifications: Self-motivated individuals with initiative and the ability to work autonomously are encouraged to apply.
- Other info: Contact the service before applying for insights into this evolving role.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Are you seeking an exciting community role supporting people leaving prison with their health care needs?
The Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion Service has a vacancy for a Mental Health Practitioner in it’s developing Reconnect Service.
The Reconnect Service is a care after custody service which aims to increase the access and uptake of community healthcare or relevant support services for individuals who have significant health needs upon release from HMP Guys Marsh, Portland and HMP The Verne and ensure safe transition to community-based healthcare.
The Reconnect service supports individuals with a varied range of health vulnerabilities and risk, including mental health, learning disability, substance misuse, and those that are end of licence or may require continued supervision in the community under Dorset Probation.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced/Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Applications from candidates that require visa sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Working closely with prison colleagues from Custody Health Care, the Offender Management Unit and the Resettlement Team, you will attend prison discharge meetings, carry out comprehensive assessments both within the prison and the community to identify the needs of the individual and plan the care of those being released. You will also be working with a range of health, social and forensic services in the community such as Dorset Probation and the local authority to identify and assess individuals post release, or those that may be returning to Dorset but released from a prison in another county.
Support Workers work with clients for up to 6 months, building a trusting therapeutic relationship to support their transition from prison to community health care and encourage engagement with services. You will work closely with the Support Workers to plan continuity of care and carry out caseload supervision.
If you are self-motivated, able to work autonomously and show plenty of initiative when it comes to handling a wide range of situations, then this could be the right role for you in a service that you can help shape. As this is a role in an ever-developing environment we highly suggest you contact the service before applying.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Mental Health Practitioner | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust employer: Dorset HealthCare
Contact Detail:
Dorset HealthCare Recruiting Team
contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Practitioner | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific needs of individuals transitioning from prison to community healthcare. Understanding the challenges they face will help you demonstrate your empathy and suitability for the role during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current or former employees of the Reconnect Service to gain insights into their experiences. This can provide you with valuable information about the team dynamics and expectations, which you can leverage in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with multidisciplinary teams, as collaboration is key in this role. Highlight any relevant experiences where you've worked alongside health, social, or forensic services to showcase your teamwork skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Since this role involves a lot of autonomy, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed your own caseload in the past. This will demonstrate your self-motivation and ability to handle diverse situations effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Practitioner | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Mental Health Practitioner position. Understand the key responsibilities, required skills, and the specific needs of the Reconnect Service to tailor your application effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize any previous experience you have in mental health care, working with vulnerable populations, or in community services. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to support individuals transitioning from prison to community healthcare.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to highlight skills that are particularly relevant to this role, such as assessment and planning, building therapeutic relationships, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Provide concrete examples of how you've successfully used these skills in past roles.
Contact the Service: Before submitting your application, consider reaching out to the Reconnect Service for more information. This shows your genuine interest in the role and can provide you with insights that may strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dorset HealthCare
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the responsibilities of a Mental Health Practitioner in the Reconnect Service. Familiarize yourself with the specific needs of individuals leaving prison and how your role will support their transition to community healthcare.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly those with mental health issues or in criminal justice settings. Highlight any relevant skills or training that demonstrate your ability to build trusting relationships and provide effective support.
✨Demonstrate Initiative
Since the role requires self-motivation and the ability to work autonomously, be ready to share examples of situations where you took the initiative to solve problems or improve processes. This will show your potential employer that you can thrive in an ever-developing environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the Reconnect Service and its goals. Inquire about the challenges faced by the team and how you can contribute to overcoming them. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and your proactive approach to understanding the service.
