Mental Health Practitioner

Do you believe that a person's health needs, and past experiences can be linked to their criminal offending? By identifying and reducing health needs, can vulnerable people be supported to make positive changes and reduce the risk of reoffending? We're looking for a qualified Mental Health/Learning Disabilities nurse, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, or Social Worker to join our Liaison and Diversion team. You're an enthusiastic, experienced, and registered health/social care professional with an interest in health and justice and a passion for supporting people in police custody or court. Previous experience in criminal justice and offender health is desirable, but not essential. With a reputation for excellence, our service is committed to improving the health of our clients, identifying care pathways, and reducing reoffending. We're an award-winning team, including the Howard League for Penal Reform 'Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year' and 'Women' categories, commendations from Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary and Berkshire Healthcare 'Team of the Year'.Main duties of the job

• To attend police custody suites and magistrates' courts providing assessments, advice and identifying robust care pathways for individuals with a potential health vulnerability.
• To provide the police and court with written and verbal information about individuals in a timely fashion to help decision-making.
• 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.
Work base:You will work within police custody suites in Berkshire, which include Reading Custody and Maidenhead Custody. You may also be required to work from any of our sites in Thames Valley to meet service needs. Working pattern + Service operating hours: Our serviceoperates in police custody from 7am - 8pm, 7 days a week using a combination of early shifts, late shifts. Our service does not operate at night. Requests for specific working pattens can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.

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