Mental Health Practitioner in ASCC

Somerset Partnership's Advice and Support in custody and court (ASCC) team provides a service to individuals appearing at Somerset's criminal courts (Taunton, Yeovil and North Somerset Magistrates' courts, Taunton Crown Court) and to those who have been arrested and are detainees in police custody (Bridgwater).

The service operates 7 days a week between the hours of 8.00am to 8.00pm. Working hours have some flexibility, although staff work predominantly 'long days' (8.00am-8.00pm) shifts to cover these hours.

The team is part of NHS England's national liaison and diversion programme (and in partnership with Avon and Wiltshire Partnership, provides the Advice & Support in Custody & Courts service to the wider Avon and Somerset police area)., ASCC practitioners are based in the Bridgwater police custody suite, courts of Somerset, and will work with people of all ages within the criminal justice system where potential mental health, learning disability and other vulnerabilities are identified.

You will be responsible for undertaking initial assessments within police custody and court system, and providing a rapid, high quality written screening report. You will offer professional guidance, advice and an educative role to colleagues working within the criminal justice system, along with liaison with community services. The service acts as a "first point of contact", providing mental health advice for people held in police custody or appearing in court, alongside assessment, liaison and facilitating access to appropriate mental health and social care services.

You will also be involved in implementing and reviewing referral pathways with the police so that they are able to effectively identify mental health problems and refer appropriately. In addition, you will compile and present health and social circumstances reports, and facilitate the production of psychiatric reports to court when required. At times, you may have to give verbal opinions to the courts.

As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!