Liaison & Diversion
Advanced Practitioner - Children & Young Person (Berkshire Role)
We’re looking for a qualified Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disabilities Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Health Visitor, School Nursing, Public Health Nurse or Social Worker to join our Liaison and Diversion team. You will have a keen interest in Liaison and Diversion and a passion about supporting our service users as they make their way through police custody, court and prison.
We are a dynamic, people-centred team who are looking for some who is passionate about health outcomes for those making their way through the criminal justice system.
With a reputation for excellence, our service is committed to improving the health of our clients, identifying care pathways, and reducing reoffending.
Recognised with a number of awards, including a Thames Valley/Hampshire Constabulary Police Commendation, Berkshire Healthcare ‘Team of the Year’ and runner-up for the Howard League for Penal Reform ‘Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year’.
We value our employees and put people first. We achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating overall in our latest CQC inspection, which found that: ‘Managers across Berkshire Healthcare promoted a positive culture that supported and valued staff, creating a sense of common purpose based on shared values.’
Triage, screen and assess needs within the following settings: police stations, custody suites, prison, community settings and magistrates’ courts and provide assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential vulnerability has been identified.
To provide the police, court and prison with written and verbal information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal
To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court, probation and prison acting as a single point of contact for health
To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
Working pattern + Service operating hours
Our service operates in police custody from 7am-8pm, 7 days a week currently using early/late/long days to fulfil this. Our service operates in court from 9am-5pm, 5 days a week. Our service operates across the Thames Valley so travel across our sites will be expected, some of these sites are not accessible via public transport. Any request for specific working pattens can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.
This role operates in Berkshire; Monday to Friday from 0900am – 1700pm, operating between a mixture of police custody, court and community offering assessments.
Work base:
You will work from within Berkshire and across Thames Valley when required.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
Caring for and about you is our top priority
Committed to providing good quality, safe services
Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
Flexible working options to support work-life balance
27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
Generous NHS pension scheme
Excellent learning and career development opportunities
‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
Free parking across Trust sites
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at B erkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services identify people who have vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system as suspects, defendants or offenders.
L&D services aim to improve overall health outcomes for people and to support people in the reduction of re-offending through assessing, proactive onward referrals and informing decision makers. It also aims to identify vulnerabilities in people earlier on which reduces the likelihood that people will reach a crisis-point and helps to ensure the right support can be put in place from the start.
Due to the nature of the service, there is an additional requirement to secure police /prison vetting for this role. For the purposes of vetting, the candidate will require at least three-years residency in the UK. V etting is a thorough investigation of an individual’s background, character, and suitability to work in the police force or prison . It includes checks on criminal records, financial history, employment history, personal relationships, and lifestyle choices.
The “must haves” for this role:
A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Health Visitor , School Nursing , Public Health or Social Work along with the relevant registration.
Significant experience post registration, with equivalent experience in a mental health/learning disability community , acute setting or criminal justice environment .
Able to assess and manage risk, formulate mitigation plans taking into account health and cri minal justice outcomes
Ability to teach/supervise more junior staff within the team
Driving licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to travel to multiple sites across Thames Valley / Hampshire as required .
Must have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 whole years for police vetting
Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.
