We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Police Liaison and Diversion Practitioner to join our well-established and progressive Liaison and Diversion service, based within Metropolitan Police custody suites at Acton and Hammersmith.
Working in a fast-paced, varied and sometimes unpredictable environment, you will play a vital role at the point of arrest, identifying mental health needs and vulnerabilities, and ensuring people are supported and diverted to the most appropriate health or social care services. Every day is different, offering excellent opportunities to build clinical expertise, confidence in autonomous decision-making, and experience within the criminal justice system.
We welcome applications from experienced mental health professionals including Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and other allied health professionals (such as Speech and Language Therapists) who bring significant mental health experience and an interest in health and justice.
If you are motivated, adaptable and want to make a real difference at critical moments in people's lives, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As a Police Liaison and Diversion Practitioner, you will provide proactive screening, assessment and brief intervention to individuals in police custody, identifying mental health needs, neurodiversity, learning disability, substance misuse and wider vulnerabilities.
You will:
Carry out same-day mental state and risk assessments within police custody
Gather collateral information from health records, partner agencies and professionals
Advise custody staff and work closely with police and partner organisations
Divert individuals into appropriate health, social care or third-sector services where indicated
Complete high-quality clinical documentation, data collection and reports for courts to support informed decision-making
You will primarily work with adults aged 18+ but may assess children and young people when required. Practitioners work autonomously, often under pressure, within a non-healthcare setting, and must demonstrate excellent communication, clinical judgement and risk management skills.
This post does not involve carrying a caseload, acting as a care coordinator, or participating in CPA.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Qualified Registered Mental Health Nurse with current registration or similar professional qualification, including SALT
* Meaningful evidence of continuing professional development and post registration training
Experience
* Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team
* A minimum of 2 years' post-registration experience
* Experience of crisis work and risk assessment/management
* Application of the Mental Health Act (2007) and the Mental Capacity Act (2005)
Knowledge
* Effective written and verbal communication skills
* Ability to use information technology systems in order to carry out duties
* Ability to make comprehensive psycho-social assessments
* Good report writing skills
* Ability to make sound and safe risk assessments
* Evidence of effective time management and organisational skills
* Ability to work semi-independently with supervision and to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team
* Ability to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person
* Ability to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills
* Knowledge of current legislation relating to community mental health provision and forensic psychiatry (Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act)
* Familiarity with research, reports and publications relevant to liaison and diversion.
* Knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1884 and PACE Codes of Practice 2004
* Ability to promote service users' involvement
Other Requirements
* Sickness (or attendance) record that is acceptable to the Trust; to be checked at interview
* Declared medically fit by the Occupational Health department to perform the duties of the post
* Capable of completing scrutiny of Police NPPV2 Vetting procedure for both Met and City forces
* The post-holder must have the ability to understand and implement the Equal Opportunities Policy at a level appropriate to the job
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.
£47,951 to £56,863 a yearper annum inclusive of HCAS (Inner)
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