Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary

Senior Mental Health Practitioner required to join us in Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion (CJL&D). Part of the exciting new Integrated Non-Custodial Services (INCS) contract, which has been awarded to DPT for the next seven years.

The INCS contract brings together CJL&D, Reconnect and the Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTRs) in order to deliver care andsupport for individuals to address their health care needs and offending behaviourfrom custody diversion through to release back to the community.

We are looking for someone with a wide range of experience from a background of social work, mental health/learning disability nursing, CAMHS, or Occupational Therapy.

CJL&D is a different service from other community MH services. We are an all age service and sit at the start of someone's pathway through the criminal justice (CJ) process when they come to the attention of the police, and are arrested. Practitioners conduct triage assessments, signpost and support the person through the CJ pathway until an outcome is reached.

We work with people with all vulnerabilities, substance misuse, homelessness, social issues, Learning Disability and Mental Health. The aim of the service is to improve health and wellbeing, reduce vulnerability, and the risk of re-offending.

We work closely with partner agencies, police, courts, probation and prisons.

The service will operate between 08:00 - 20:00 from 1st April2025

This role could be offered as a secondment to an internal candidate.

Main duties of the job

Practitioners have to use many skills to achieve positive outcomes for the people that use the service. You will often work under pressure and without direct supervision, so we are looking for someone confident and capable, with experience of working in the community. You will prioritise tasks, and manage your own workload, providing support for your colleagues where required. This is a different role from care co-ordination and where excellent assessment skills are essential.

The role is dynamic and challenging. You will be expected to work on your own or as part of a wider team. You will prioritise tasks, manage your own workload, providing support for your colleagues where required.

You will work as part of a multi-agency team, working alongside the police and Criminal Justice Professionals. Undertake effective psycho-social assessments, and brief targeted interventions for people coming into contact with Criminal Justice through probation, police custody and courts.

Individuals with offending histories, combined with a wide range of mental health and social problems, who may also have co-existing complex needs including homelessness, substance misuse, significant risk to self or others, are socially excluded, and who at times may present with extremely challenging behaviours. Signposting to other agencies and supporting these individuals through the criminal justice process.

Job responsibilities

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.