Job summary
- Main area
- Liaison & Diversion Service - Hants & IOW
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 371-MHS970
- Employer
- Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Newport Police Station
- Town
- Newport
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/01/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 09/02/2026
Employer heading
Liaison and Diversion Practitioner
Band 6
Job overview
Liaison & Diversion Practitioner – Isle of Wight
We’re looking for a registered Mental Health nurse, Learning Disability nurse, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Health Visitor or Speech & Language Therapist with the necessary experience to join our Hampshire Liaison and Diversion team. You will have a keen interest in Liaison and Diversion and a passion about supporting our service users as they make their way through police custody, court and up to prison.
We are a dynamic, people-centred team who are looking for some who is passionate about health outcomes for those making their way through the criminal justice system.
With a reputation for excellence, our service is committed to improving the health of our clients, identifying care pathways, and reducing reoffending.
Recognised with a number of awards, including a Thames Valley/Hampshire Constabulary Police Commendation, Berkshire Healthcare ‘Team of the Year’ and runner-up for the Howard League for Penal Reform ‘Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year’.
We value our employees and put people first. We achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating overall in our latest CQC inspection, which found that: ‘Managers across Berkshire Healthcare promoted a positive culture that supported and valued staff, creating a sense of common purpose based on shared values.’
Main duties of the job
About the Job:
-
To attend police custody suites and magistrates’ courts and provide assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential health vulnerability has been identified.
-
To provide the police and court with written and verbal information pertaining to the - individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.
-
To work closely and build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court and probation acting as a single point of contact for health.
-
To work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
Working pattern + Service operating hours
Our service operates in police custody from 0900-1700, 7 days a week over the whole year. This would include two weekends per calendar month. Our service does not operate at night. Any request for specific working pattens can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.
Work base:
You will work from primarily Newport Police station and Newport magistrates Court.
Parking:
Parking is provided for staff at all sites.
Working for our organisation
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The “must haves” for you to be considered for this role:
-
A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language, Health Visitor or Social Work along with relevant registration
-
At least 18months post registration experience
-
Licence holder with access to your own vehicle.
Please be aware that this post is subject to police vetting which requires that you have been a resident within the UK for a period of three years.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Pauline O’Callaghan on 07584 385 403 or email: [email protected] who’ll be delighted to help. Alternatively, you can also contact Clinical and Operational Lead Jessica Hillman on 0300 123 5066 or email: [email protected].
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential criteria
- A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health nursing, Learning Disability nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapist , Social Work or Health Visitor with the necessary experience
- Hold current registration with pertinent body (RMN, RNLD, SW, SALT, OT)
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of post registration training and development
- Mentorship qualification or equivalent teaching qualification.
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
- Ability to work autonomously, with the ability to organise and manage own time according to delegated workload.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to think creatively and problem solve
- Ability to work as part a team
Desirable criteria
- Significant experience and a minimum of 18 months at Band 5 or equivalent in a community setting.
- Training / presentation skills
- Ability to teach junior staff and students
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- An ability to work under pressure
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations
- Ability to work effectively with service users and carers in a collaborative manner
- Understanding of the theories underpinning the concept of recovery and the wider determinants of health
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system
Additional Requirements
Essential criteria
- Professional in approach, manner and appearance.
- Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
- Car owner / driver
Continuous Professional Development
Essential criteria
- Knowledge and experience of modern mental health services; social inclusion, recovery, service user involvement, carer support
Desirable criteria
- Further evidence of professional development and training
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Pauline O'Callaghan
- Job title
- Service Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07827270648
List jobs with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Nursing and Midwifery