Mental Health Practitioner in LADS
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
View healthcare pay scales →
Above analytics are generated algorithmically based on job titles and may not always be the same as the company's job classification. You can also check detailed occupation eligibility, and salary criteria on our UK Visa Eligible Occupations & Salary Thresholds page.
Disclaimer: Hunt UK Visa Sponsors aggregates job listings from publicly available sources, such as search engines, to assist with your job hunting. We do not claim affiliation with Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. For the most up-to-date job details, please visit the official website by clicking "Apply Now."
The Liaison and Diversion (LADS) team provides a service to individuals appearing at Somerset's criminal courts (Taunton, Yeovil and North Somerset Magistrates' Courts, and Taunton Crown Court) and to people who have been arrested and are detainees in police custody in Bridgwater.
The service operates seven days a week, between 08:00 and 20:00. Staff predominantly work long days to cover these hours, although part-time hours may be considered. There is free onsite parking at Bridgwater Police Centre.
The team is part of NHS England's national Liaison and Diversion programme and, with Avon and Wiltshire Partnership, provides LADS services across the wider Avon and Somerset police area.
The team's primary role is to carry out mental health and vulnerability assessments in criminal justice settings, identify unmet needs, and support timely referral to appropriate services. Information is shared with criminal justice partners (with consent) to ensure that individuals' needs are understood and that police and courts can make informed decisions.
If you are interested in the role, please contact: hannah.evans@somersetft.nhs.uk
To join one of our bimonthly LADS information sessions on MS Teams, please contact Hannah Robson.
Applicants will be required to visit the custody office environment to shadow before interview.
Vetting clearance cannot be granted if the applicant has not met UK residency requirements:
Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) - three years
Job description
Clinical Responsibilities
Carry out psychosocial and mental health assessments for individuals in custody or attending court.
Identify risk factors and vulnerabilities and develop safe, appropriate care pathways.
Make referrals to community mental health teams, crisis services, social care, substance misuse teams and other relevant services.
Provide verbal advice to courts when required and liaise with prison mental health teams.
Multi Agency Liaison
Work effectively with police, court staff, probation, social care and voluntary agencies.
Act as a point of contact for mental health advice within criminal justice settings.
Support consistent information sharing and joinedup care pathways.
Training and Professional Development
Deliver mental health and vulnerability training to police, courts and partner agencies.
Support Band 3 staff and contribute to the supervision and learning of students.
Maintain accurate and confidential clinical records in line with Trust and criminal justice systems.
Participate in audit, service reviews and monthly data reporting.
Service Delivery
Work independently during shifts, prioritising assessments and responding to referrals promptly.
Contribute to rota coverage across custody, courts and voluntary attender appointments.
Work safely and professionally in custody and court environments, including with distressed or challenging individuals.
Adhere to all Trust policies, safeguarding requirements and relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice.
- Either:
- RMN/Degree/Diploma in NursingCQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social WorkDegree in Occupational Therapy
- Current relevant professional registration
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
- Significant experience of assessing risk and developing risk management plans.
- Experience of undertaking autonomous assessments.
Desirable
- Experience of providing supervision.
- Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
- Experience of working within a Forensic/Criminal Justice environment.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- A good understanding of holistic assessment, recovery principles (including health and social care assessments) and the role of secondary mental health services in the delivery of care
Desirable
- Good knowledge of resources and working practices across Health and Social Care, including substance misuse, learning disability, children's services and housing.
About the employer
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: