Health & Justice Band 6 Practitioner
Closing date: 08 May 2026
Visa sponsorship: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If you require sponsorship, your application may be withdrawn.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Liaison & Diversion Team for the role of Liaison & Diversion Practitioner based in HMP Styal and with expected travel across Cheshire.
Liaison & Diversion (L&D) services identify people who have substance misuse, mental health, learning disability or other vulnerabilities when they first come onto contact with the criminal justice system. We identify unmet need and vulnerabilities that often lead to or exacerbate offending behaviour, offer onward referral and signposting as appropriate. We liaise across agencies to support onward planning and intervention to address identified needs and where appropriate support the diversion of individuals away from the criminal justice process into a more appropriate setting. We work in Prisons, Police Custody Suites, Courts and Community throughout Cheshire and offer assessments to individuals within the Criminal Justice system. We help to inform decision makers with relevant and timely information to support sentencing and disposal outcomes. We offer brief community based intervention to maximise service user access and engagement with appropriate services.
NOTICE: This role is subject to prison vetting.
Travel: The post holder will be expected to travel across the MPFT footprint.
Main duties of the job
* Take responsibility for holistic health assessment (within service specification) in Liaison and Diversion in conjunction with service user and carer (if necessary), helping to promote self-determination, choice and autonomy.
* Provide a written report for Crown or Magistrates Courts or attend and give verbal evidence as required. Offer considered recommendations to these bodies.
* Assess service users’ individual needs, agree and refer on to appropriate agency.
* Complete and contribute to robust risk assessments and risk‑management plans.
* Deliver and promote positive risk‑taking, where appropriate, to improve quality of life and maximise occupational performance and independence.
* Maintain an effective reporting system by observing and reporting verbally and electronically in health records.
* Utilise agreed outcome measures to review the effectiveness of process, as part of the Liaison and Diversion Service.
* Use both Silvercloud and Justice Star tools in supporting service users.
About us
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is a leading NHS Trust providing a range of health and social care services across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We are committed to innovation and improving life for local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non‑clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are ‘United in our Uniqueness’ and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We value and support all staff and aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve.
Qualifications & Training
* Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, RGN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, AHP.
* Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
* Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability. Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, including roles and responsibilities of staff working in it. Knowledge of use and interpretation of health screening tools. Knowledge of assessing and mitigating risk – including risk of harm to self and others. Knowledge of a wide range of vulnerabilities including the needs of children and young people. Knowledge and understanding of capacity and consent. Knowledge of theoretical approaches to working with vulnerable people. Knowledge of appropriate health and social care interventions. Knowledge of relevant law (Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Children Act, Social Care Act, PACE code C). Knowledge of human growth and development. Knowledge of Safeguarding Adults and Children. Knowledge of Information Governance, Data Protection and GDPR.
* Specialist knowledge in substance misuse. Specialist knowledge in Autism and ADHD. Specialist knowledge in Personality Disorder. Specialist knowledge of Domestic Violence. Knowledge of Psychosocial and Psychological Approach.
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.
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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