Health & Justice Practitioner

Job Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Liaison & Diversion (L&D) Team for the role of L&D Practitioner based in Oldbury, Wolverhampton, and Bloxwich custody suites.

L&D identify people who have substance misuse, mental health, learning disability, or other vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system. We identify unmet needs and vulnerabilities that often lead to or exacerbate offending behaviour, offering onward referral and signposting. We liaise across agencies to support onward planning and intervention to address identified needs and support diversion away from the criminal justice process into a more appropriate setting.

We work in Police Custody Suites, Courts, and the Community throughout the Black Country and offer assessments to individuals, including Voluntary Attendees. We help inform decision-makers with relevant and timely information to support sentencing and disposal outcomes.

We offer brief community-based interventions to maximize service user access and engagement with appropriate services.

This is an \’all age\’ service working with people from the age of 10 upwards.

The post holder will be expected to travel across the 3 custody suites.

THIS ROLE IS SUBJECT TO POLICE VETTING; applicants are required to have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to submitting their vetting application, as per the College of Policing.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to the attached job description for a summary.

1. Take responsibility for holistic health assessments within the service specification in Liaison and Diversion, in conjunction with the service user and carer (if necessary), promoting self-determination, choice, and autonomy.
2. Provide written reports for Crown or Magistrates Courts or attend and give verbal evidence as required, offering considered recommendations.
3. Assess service users\’ individual needs, agree, and refer to appropriate agencies.
4. Complete and contribute to robust risk assessments and risk management plans, promoting positive risk-taking to improve quality of life and independence.
5. Maintain an effective reporting system through verbal and electronic health records.
6. Utilize outcome measures to review the effectiveness of the Liaison and Diversion Service.
7. Use Silvercloud and Justice Star tools to support service users.
8. Provide feedback to youth justice panels and Youth Offending Services.

Working for our organisation

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and will receive support including:

• Career development and progression opportunities
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Flexible working options
• Up to 27 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days with service, plus the option to purchase additional leave
• Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• Travel reimbursement for community team roles
• Lease car options for over 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2,000
• Free parking at trust sites
• Annual flu vaccinations
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund up to £250

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation with staff networks for like-minded individuals.

Please note, we may close this vacancy early if we receive high application volumes.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Take responsibility for holistic health assessments within the service specification in Liaison and Diversion, with the service user and carer (if necessary), promoting self-determination, choice, and autonomy.
2. Provide reports for courts or attend and give evidence, offering recommendations.
3. Participate in setting quality standards, including auditing and reviewing practice in line with current guidance and policy.
4. Assess individual needs, agree, and refer to appropriate agencies.
5. Contribute to risk assessments and promote positive risk-taking to enhance quality of life and independence.
6. Maintain effective reporting through verbal and electronic health records.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• Recognized professional qualification (e.g., RMN, RGN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, AHP)
• Knowledge of mental health issues, learning disabilities, and the Criminal Justice System
• Knowledge of health screening tools, risk assessment, and legal frameworks (e.g., Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Children Act, Social Care Act, PACE)
• Understanding of human development and safeguarding laws
• Knowledge of Data Protection and GDPR

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent experience
• Specialist knowledge in substance misuse, Autism, ADHD, Personality Disorder, or Domestic Violence
• Knowledge of psychosocial and psychological approaches

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with clients with mental health difficulties
• Experience engaging clients with complex needs
• Experience working in community settings and making autonomous decisions

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