Health & Justice Youth Practitioner
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Liaison & Diversion Team for the role of Liaison & Diversion Youth Practitioner based in Cheshire Health & Justice Service.
Are you interested in being part of a pilot to support children through the Criminal Justice System?
Liaison and Diversion (L&D) teams play a crucial role in helping individuals with mental health issues, learning disabilities, substance misuse problems, and/or other vulnerabilities when they encounter the criminal justice system. Within Cheshire L&D there is a need to bolster the L&D provision by offering a dedicated pathway for children and young people (CYP).
For CYP having specific provision and dedicated resources within the L&D settings of custody, court and outreach is essential for several reasons. CYP have unique developmental needs, higher prevalence of vulnerabilities, to prevent escalation of criminal behaviour, focus on education and skill development, family and social environment involvement, building trust and rapport, trauma informed care and long-term societal impact.
A CYP-specific provision within Liaison and Diversion is essential to respond to the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities of young people in a way that promotes personal growth, reduces recidivism, and supports a more just and rehabilitative criminal justice system.
The post holder will be expected to travel across the MPFT footprint.
Main duties of the job
**Please refer to the attached Job Description in summary:**- Take responsibility for holistic health assessment (within service specification) in Liaison and Diversion in conjunction with service user and carer (If necessary), helping to promote self-determination, choice and autonomy.
- To provide a written report for Crown or Magistrates Courts or to attend and give verbal evidence as required. To offer considered recommendations to these bodies.
- Assess service users individual needs, agree and refer on to appropriate agency.
- Complete and contribute, where appropriate to robust risk assessments and risk management plans. Deliver and promote positive risk taking, where appropriate, to improve quality of life and maximise occupational performance/independence.
- Maintain an effective reporting system by observing and reporting verbally and electronically in health records.
- Utilise agreed outcome measures to review the effectiveness of process, as part of Liaison and Diversion Service.
- To use both Silvercloud and Justice Star tools in supporting service users.
- To work closely with Youth justice Service and Youth Offending services.
Working for our organisation
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Options for flexible working
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
- Free car parking at all trust sites
- Free flu vaccinations every year
- Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information.
Utilise agreed outcome measures to review the effectiveness of process, as part of Liaison and Diversion Service.
To use both Silvercloud and Justice Star tools in supporting service users.
To work closely with Youth justice Service and Youth Offending services.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria- Professional recognised qualification such as RMN, RGN, Learning Disability Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, AHP.
- 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 a wide range of vulnerabilities including the needs of children and young people. Knowledge and understanding of capacity and consent. Knowledge of theoretical approaches to working with vulnerable people. Knowledge of appropriate health and social care interventions. Knowledge of relevant law, as a minimum; Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Children Act, Social Care Act and PACE code C. Knowledge of human growth and development. Knowledge of Safeguarding Adults and Children Knowledge of Information Governance, Data Protection and GDPR
Qualifications
Desirable criteria- Specialist knowledge in substance misuse. Specialist knowledge in Autism and ADHD. Specialist knowledge in Personality Disorder Specialist knowledge Domestic Violence. Knowledge of Psychosocial and Psychological Approach.
- Degree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice