Team Manager - Liaison and Diversion Service
The Liaison and Diversion Service (LADS) has an exciting opportunity for a Band 7 Team Manager to provide effective leadership and management support to a multidisciplinary team working across custody and court settings in Somerset, Monday to Friday.
LADS identifies individuals who have mental health needs, learning disabilities, substance misuse issues or other vulnerabilities at the earliest point of contact with the criminal justice system. The service supports individuals through the early stages of the criminal justice pathway, facilitating access to appropriate health and social care services and, where appropriate, enabling diversion away from the criminal justice system.
The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management, leadership and operational delivery of the LADS team, ensuring services are delivered in line with agreed objectives, quality standards and resource constraints. The team operates 7 days a week between 8.00am and 8.00pm within custody suites and courts across Somerset.
This role is based primarily at Bridgwater Police Centre, working closely with partner agencies including police, courts, probation services, NHS services and voluntary sector organisations.
Vetting clearance cannot be granted if the applicant has not been resident in the UK for the minimum period. See below residency requirements:
Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) - three years
Main duties of the job
* Provide day-to-day operational leadership and management of the Liaison and Diversion Service team.
* Ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe and compassionate care within criminal justice settings.
* Maintain oversight of service performance, quality standards, risk management and data reporting requirements.
* Support, supervise and develop a multidisciplinary team, promoting effective team working and professional practice.
* Act as a key point of liaison with criminal justice agencies, health and social care partners and senior stakeholders.
* Ensure assessments, reports and onward referrals are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.
* Promote equality, diversity, safeguarding and anti-discriminatory practice across the service.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
* Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
* NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
* Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
* A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job responsibilities
The Team Manager will lead the delivery of the Trust's strategic objectives for the Liaison and Diversion Service, working alongside and reporting to the Operational Service Manager within the Specialist Forensic Community Team.
The LADS team is responsible for completing holistic mental health and vulnerability assessments for individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system, identifying unmet needs and facilitating access to appropriate health and social care services. The service routinely shares relevant information with criminal justice partners, where consent has been obtained, to support informed decision-making by police and courts.
You will be responsible for managing a multidisciplinary team of Band 6 practitioners, including nurses and allied health professionals, who work across custody suites and courts within Somerset. This includes responsibility for recruitment, supervision, appraisal, professional development, rota management and workforce planning.
The post holder will ensure effective partnership working with police, courts, probation services, NHS services, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations. You will contribute to service development, policy implementation, clinical audit, quality improvement and performance management, ensuring compliance with national Liaison and Diversion Programme requirements.
You will have oversight of risk management processes, contribute to budget monitoring, and support the delivery of service improvements whilst maintaining a strong focus on patient safety, safeguarding and clinical governance. At times, you may work autonomously within criminal justice environments, supporting staff with complex cases and providing professional guidance and leadership.
This role requires a confident and compassionate leader with experience of managing teams within mental health or forensic services, and the ability to work effectively within fast-paced, multi‑agency environments.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* RMN, DipSW, OT or similar mental health professional Commitment to Continuing Professional Development
* Approved Mental Health Practitioner Post registration education in leadership and/or management
Experience
* Post qualification experience working at band 6 or equivalent in community/Inpatient mental health services. Experience of appraising and managing others performance and work quality
* Experience of investigating and resolving complaints Experience at investigating untoward events and recognising lessons to be learnt Experience at deputising for Team Manager
Additional Criteria
* Required to travel independently.
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.
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