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Job summary

Main area
Liaison and Diversion
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
351-SPS1398-MF
Employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Multiple police custody suites across Lancashire & Cumbria
Town
Lancashire and Cumbria
Salary
£29,970 - £36,483 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
07/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust logo

Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Band 5

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism and community based services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated mental health, learning disability and community Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including:

•    Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, forensic services including low and medium secure care.
•    Specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
•    Community physical health and well-being services for children and adults.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,000 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health and general nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers.

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust supports flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, home/remote working, and flexi-time.

For more information visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Please note that further communication from Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft) will normally be to the email address given on the application form. You should also ensure that email addresses and telephone numbers are provided for your referees, to enable LSCft to contact them.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Liaison and Diversion Team for the role of Liaison & Diversion Practitioner. This key position within the established Liaison and Diversion Service for Police Custody Suites and Magistrates Courts is offered as a permanent post.

You will be working in partnership with police supporting individuals aged 10 upwards who are arrested and bought into custody, or who are voluntary attendees. Your role is part of a wider MDT, including community engagement workers, peer support workers and specialist practitioners. 

As well as working within a small supportive team, you will have access to CPD and training to compliment your role, along with support in career development and progression across the organisation.

We offer reasonable adjustments and support with the application and interview process, and support flexible working patterns, we encourage anyone to contact team managers to discuss individual circumstances. 

As the role is predominately based in police custody suites, successful candidates must undergo NPPV Level 2 (full) Police Vetting and have been resident in the UK for at least three years. 
Enhanced DBS is also required to undertake this role.

We have vacancies across the following custody suites – please indicate your preference of locality on your application form in additional information. 

Blackpool and Preston
Lancaster, Barrow and Kendal
Workington & Carlisle

Main duties of the job

This Liaison & Diversion Practitioner role will identify and respond to requests to screen and assess people with vulnerabilities in contact with the justice system and could be based in the community, police custody or courts from aged 10 upwards. 

Referrals will be identified and received where there have been concerns that an individual has mental health issues, a learning disability, substance misuse, social care, safeguarding or other vulnerabilities, that will trigger a referral to the Liaison & Diversion service. 

 The role will assess for a number of vulnerabilities, using validated tools, ensuring risk is assessed and relevant information shared to ensure appropriate services are accessed and manage the safety of clients and others. 

Assessment will include an opinion on the service user’s capacity for effective participation in criminal justice procedures, cultural and gender needs, age and development related needs, including transition to adulthood and older person needs, social circumstances (including, relationships, leisure requirements, daily living, educational and occupational needs, employment/vocational needs, housing, finance) 

Information will be shared appropriately verbally and in a written report within Criminal Justice settings to inform decision-making and facilitate diversion within and out of the criminal justice pathway

Working for our organisation

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area. 

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more details on this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

For Further enquires please contact staff below for an informal discussion, we also welcome visits to the service by arrangement with team managers

Forensic Community Service Manager – Juliette Hargreaves – [email protected] 01772 406725

Blackpool and Preston Team Manager – Deb Hutchins – [email protected] – 01772 209775

Lancaster, Barrow and Kendal Team Manager – Gail McGregor – [email protected] 07929795507

Workington & Carlisle Team Manager – Lauren Miller – [email protected]  - 07970346529 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of mental health issues and/or learning disability
  • Knowledge of 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 relevant law, as a minimum; Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Children Act, Social Care Act and PACE code C.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Working with people with complex needs for a minimum of 2 years either whilst studying or post qualification
  • Assessment of Risk of Service Users to self and others
  • Sharing of information verbally and in writing

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. You are therefore advised to consider applying for this vacancy as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Juliette Hargreaves
Job title
Service Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01772 406725
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