Go back Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Apprentice Support Time and Recovery Worker - Liaison and Diversion
The closing date is 16 July 2025
Do you have lived experience of the criminal justice system and mental health issues or other vulnerabilities?
If so, the Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion (L&D) Service is seeking a Lived Experience Apprentice Support, Time and Recovery (STR) Worker to use their personal experiences to inspire and support others in similar situations.
L&D services provide early intervention for vulnerable individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system. They respond promptly to concerns raised by police, probation, youth offending teams, or court staff, offering key information to aid real-time decisions on charging and sentencing.
L&D also offers referrals and follow-ups to ensure service users can access treatment and rehabilitation, aiming to improve health and wellbeing, reduce vulnerability, and lower reoffending risk.
Post-holders will work across Cornwall under the supervision of mental health practitioners, alongside STR Workers in custody centres, courts, probation, and primarily in community settings. They will support adults, children, and young people involved in the justice system who have mental health conditions, learning disabilities, cognitive disorders, substance misuse, or other vulnerabilities. The role involves helping with practical issues affecting mental health and connecting individuals with peer support pathways.
Main duties of the job
he post-holder will work as part of a multi-agency team within the Cornwall Liaison and Diversion Service, alongside Senior Mental Health Practitioners and Support Time and Recovery (STR) workers. They will contribute to providing support, treatment, and brief interventions for individuals involved with Criminal Justice agencies such as police custody, courts, and probation.
Working closely with STR workers, the role includes offering time-limited support to clients, helping them access services for housing, social inclusion, debt management, training, education, and employment--especially for those who struggle to engage with community resources.
The post-holder will also engage with individuals who have offending histories and complex needs such as homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues, and social exclusion. They will support clients in attending appointments, advocating for them, and liaising with community services.
This role is part of NHS England and Improvement's initiative to support apprentices with lived experience into employment pathways. Therefore, applicants must have lived experience with the Criminal Justice System, Mental Health, or Drug and Alcohol Services. This lived experience is essential to effectively support and engage others on their recovery journey.
The successful candidate will be supported by the Trust to complete an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (Senior Support Worker) through the Apprenticeship Programme.
About us
We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.
We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.
Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.
We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.
Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.
Job responsibilities
To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see supporting documents.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications and Relevant Experience
* Level 2 Maths and English (Grade C or 4 GCSE, Level 2 Key Skills or Functional Skills)
* IT Literate
* Lived experience of having been through the criminal justice system
* Experience of working with clients with a range of vulnerabilities, mental health, substance and alcohol misuse, learning disability
* Lived experience of having a vulnerability, for example, a mental health need, substance and alcohol misuse, learning disability, previously served in the armed forces
* Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environment
Skills and Aptitude
* Good listening skills and ability to deal with complex information that the service user and clinician will share with them
* Ability to work without direct supervision
* Can demonstrate good oral and written communication skills
* Be willing to undertake the study required to complete the NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (Senior Support Worker) through the Apprenticeship Programme
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.
Employer name
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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