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- Tasks: Support individuals in crisis by assessing mental health needs and connecting them to vital services.
- Company: Join Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in mental health support within the criminal justice system.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous leave, and access to exclusive discounts with the Blue Light Card.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Professional qualification in mental health and experience in community settings required.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with opportunities for career development and growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about supporting people at their most vulnerable moments? Our Liaison and Diversion (LADS) team plays a vital role in Somerset's criminal justice system, helping individuals access the care and support they need.
What We Do
We work with people appearing at Somerset's criminal courts (Taunton, Yeovil, North Somerset Magistrates' Courts, and Taunton Crown Court) and those detained in police custody at Bridgwater Police Centre. Our mission is simple: identify mental health and other vulnerabilities early, and connect individuals to the right services.
Why Join Us?
- Impactful Work: Every day, you'll make a difference by ensuring people's needs are understood and addressed.
- No Night Shifts: Our service runs 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., so you can enjoy a healthy work-life balance.
- Flexible Options: Full-time and part-time hours available.
- Free onsite parking at Bridgwater Police Centre.
- Collaborative Environment: Be part of NHS England's national programme, working alongside Avon and Wiltshire Partnership across the Avon and Somerset area.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver rapid, high-quality assessments of mental health and vulnerabilities in police custody (Bridgwater) and criminal courts (Taunton, Yeovil, North Somerset Magistrates' Courts, and Taunton Crown Court).
- Identify unmet needs and connect individuals to the right health and social care services through referrals and signposting.
- Share vital information (with consent) with criminal justice agencies to support informed and fair decision-making.
- Provide expert guidance and training to criminal justice colleagues, helping them understand mental health and vulnerability issues.
- Prepare professional reports, including screening summaries and contributions to psychiatric reports for court proceedings.
- Support voluntary attenders, working with individuals interviewed outside of custody as part of our innovative project.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and complete monthly data returns to ensure service quality and compliance.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
- Flexible working options to help you balance work and life.
- NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security.
- Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax.
- A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential.
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset?
Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job responsibilities
- Be based primarily in Bridgwater Police Custody Suite, with flexibility to cover courts across Somerset.
- Work autonomously while supported by senior practitioners and colleagues.
- Liaise closely with police, courts, community mental health teams, and other statutory and voluntary agencies.
- Deliver training and education packages to multi-agency staff.
- Provide verbal opinions to courts and facilitate the production of psychiatric reports.
- Support safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults and children.
- Maintain compliance with legal frameworks including the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding legislation.
- Participate in audits, service reviews, and contribute to service development.
- Act as shift lead when required, supporting team prioritisation and supervision.
- Engage in multidisciplinary meetings and represent the team at local and national forums.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice.
- Either: RMN/Degree/Diploma in Nursing, CQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social Work, Degree in Occupational Therapy.
Experience
- Significant experience and knowledge (post qualification) of working with people with mental health problems.
- Significant experience of assessing risk and developing risk management plans.
- Experience of undertaking autonomous assessments.
- Experience of providing supervision.
- Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
- Experience of working within a Forensic/Criminal Justice environment.
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.
Mental Health Practitioner in LADS in Bridgwater employer: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Practitioner in LADS in Bridgwater
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the mental health and criminal justice fields. Attend local events or online webinars to meet people who can give you insights or even refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the LADS team and understand their mission. Think about how your skills align with their goals, and be ready to share examples of your past experiences that demonstrate your passion for supporting vulnerable individuals.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview or networking event, drop a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills and interests. Plus, it’s a great way to show you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Practitioner in LADS in Bridgwater
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for supporting vulnerable individuals shine through. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in mental health, especially in a criminal justice context.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of a Mental Health Practitioner. Highlight relevant qualifications, experiences, and skills that align with the job description, particularly those related to assessing mental health and working in a community setting.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your written application clear and concise. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon, ensuring that your key points about your experience and qualifications stand out. We want to see your strengths without wading through unnecessary details!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key responsibilities of a Mental Health Practitioner in the criminal justice system. Familiarise yourself with the Mental Health Act and how it applies to your role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the position.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about supporting vulnerable individuals, so be prepared to share your personal motivations for wanting to work in this field. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've made a difference in someone's life, and be ready to discuss them.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about the team dynamics, the training opportunities available, or how they measure success in the role. It shows that you're engaged and genuinely interested in the position.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Consider doing a mock interview with a friend or mentor. Focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing your experience with mental health assessments and working in a multi-agency environment. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
