Senior Mental Health Practitioner

Job overview

The Forensic Liaison & Diversion (L&D) Service is looking for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join our service. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to join the Forensic Liaison and Diversion Team in South-West London & St George’s Mental Health Trust (SWLSTG).

The Forensic Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services aim to provide early intervention for vulnerable people of all ages as they come to the attention of the criminal justice system. L&D services provide a prompt response to concerns raised by the police, probation service, youth offending teams or court staff, and provide critical information to decision-makers in the justice system, in real time, when it comes to charging and sentencing these vulnerable people. L&D also acts as a point of referral and assertive follow up for these services users, to ensure they can access, and are supported to attend, treatment and rehabilitation appointments.

In this way, L&D services are expected to help reduce reoffending, reduce unnecessary use of police and court time, ensure that health matters are dealt with by healthcare professionals, and reduce health inequalities for some of the most vulnerable in society.

Main duties of the job

Improving health outcomes for mentally disordered offenders through early identification and screening and providing interventions that facilitate timely and appropriate pathways to care.

To provide a service to Wandsworth Police Custody Suite and support to junior colleagues at Wimbledon magistrates

The shift pattern consists of a mixture of early shift (07:00-15:00) and late shift (14:00-22:00) hrs Monday to Friday and the weekend service operating hours are 13.00-21:00hrs.

To provide specialist knowledge on forensic mental health within the criminal justice system namely police stations and the courts within SWLStG Mental Health NHS Trust, providing advice and consultation to colleagues within the criminal justice system and mental health services.

Maintain clinical direction and leadership, coordinating a team of clinical staff for a consistent provision of high-quality mental health care to people with mental health vulnerabilities in crisis within police custody and hold continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic care.

Lead the team in a way that supports the development of a culture of continuous improvement and learning across the Trust.

Ensure that the voices of service users, their carers and criminal justice professionals are heard so that a high standard of care is provided and the service develops in the best way to meet their needs.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work within codes of practice and professional guidelines and to be accountable for own professional practice.

Ensure observance and the working of all relevant legal and statutory requirements.

Required to act within broad occupational policies without guidance or direct supervision.

To maintain client confidentiality at all times.

To participate fully in continuous professional development and supervision. To work to the forensic mental health and professional capabilities framework.

To regularly provide mentorship and supervision of staff within the team.

To support and promote learning for students.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.