Crown Court Mental Health Lead

Job overview

An exciting opportunity is available for new roles within the Cambridgeshire Liaison and Diversion Service.

We are looking for looking for two qualified band 7 practitioners to work within the Crown Courts in Peterborough and Cambridge. who are dynamic, have excellent communication skills  and can work independently within probation and the judiciary service.

Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence* and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.

Main duties of the job

The Crown Court Liaison and Diversion Practitioner will have responsibility for delivering the Liaison and Diversion service across the two Cambridgeshire Crown Courts and will also be expected to provide clinical leadership to colleagues in the screening, assessment, treatment and management of vulnerable children and adults accessing the wider Liaison and Diversion Service.

The post holder will provide consultation, advice and support to the courts and wider team as well as providing formulations, assessments and clinically proven brief interventions to individuals presenting with vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system.

It is expected that the post holder will spend 80% of their time in the delivery of direct/indirect clinical care. The post holder will be expected to support the leadership and will be responsible for the day to day running of the service if required.

The post holder will be expected to be flexible in terms of delivering care within the Cambridge Crown Court, Peterborough Crown Court and expected to provide clinical cover and input in Magistrates courts across Cambridgeshire including Huntingdon Law Courts.

The post-holder will carry continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, and the setting of standards of care within the team.

They will need to be able to write robust clear and concise reports on outcome and recommendations to share with stakeholders.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

• The post holder will have extensive knowledge of the principles underpinning liaison and diversion, demonstrated by specific experience and academic knowledge.
• To contribute directly and indirectly to improving the understanding of liaison and diversion to the benefit of all users of the service, across all settings and agencies serving the user group.
• To undertake screening, assessment of people in the Crown court, on remand and wider community.
• To facilitate onwards referrals for identified needs for defendants.
• Provide immediate advice in relation to access to mental health services/referral pathways to Court users and individuals.
• Provide oral and written evidence in the court arena when required.
• To provide specialist mental health advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to identification, formulation and intervention plans in line with health, social care and criminal justice pathways.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision as per Trust policy.
• Undertake a practitioner role as required to maintain direct assessment and care skills.
• Oversee smooth operational pathways of magistrates’ courts, i.e. Cambridge, Peterborough and Huntingdon, and cover those clinical areas as and when required.
• Development and implementation of integrated care pathways, including appropriate service user assessments/referrals and models of care.
• Provide information, education and support for family members, carers and other relevant professionals.