Mental Health Practitioner

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced nurse, AHP/social worker to join our new Reconnect service within the Court Liaison and Diversion service based at HMP Leeds and HMP Wealstun

If you are an experienced band registered nurse, AHP or social worker with an interest in working within the criminal justice system, we would love to hear from you.

Successful applicants will be given a trust and service induction, clinical and managerial supervision as well as learning opportunities relevant to the role.

The Reconnect Mental Health practitioner will work as a senior member of a multi-disciplinary team providing intensive mental health and social care assessments, to identify care pathways for individuals released from Prison.

The Reconnect Band 6 Mental Health practitioner will work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing intensive mental health and social care assessments, to identify care pathways for individuals released from Prison.

The Reconnect Band 6 Mental Health practitioner will work in HMP Leeds or HMP Wealstun, undertaking mental health and social care assessments, under the guidance of the Senior Mental Health Practitioner, to identify those with health vulnerabilities and in need of support services on release and ensuring detailed care plans are in place.

The Reconnect Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner will contribute to effective working relationships with senior delivery partners within the Prison, Local Authority, Probation, NHS, Police, Adult Social Care, Mental Health Services, Substance Misuse providers and Accommodation providers to coordinate care plans which will support individuals to engage with local services.

Liaise closely with Criminal Justice Partners to work with individuals who have been referred to the service prior to release, to undertake medical and social care assessments to identify their particular health and social care needs and tailor a package of support which will assist them in accessing identified local services. 

Facilitate links to Reconnect Navigators and Peer Support Workers to ensure timely and appropriate referrals, to ensure the effective transfer from prison to community-based healthcare.

To contribute to the quality assurance of assessments, plans and interventions to ensure they meet the required standard and to take swift remedial action when they are inadequate or of poor quality. 

To ensure that up to date, accurate case records are maintained, ensuring that information is recorded and managed within the Data Protection Act guidelines and to ensure the safety and adherence to policy guidelines of any information transferred to other agencies.

Reduce the number of vulnerable adults and children who are at risk of harm by identifying safeguarding concerns and making appropriate referrals.

Identify risk and share information about vulnerable people with other agencies, to ensure risk is managed and vulnerable people are safeguarded.

Ensure the continued promotion of the safeguarding agenda and to prioritise the well-being and safety of service users and members of staff.

Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and to work collaboratively with the Service Management Team in achieving organisational objectives and priorities

Contribute to the induction and training of members of staff working within the Reconnect teams.

To meet responsibilities under health and safety at work guidance and legislation.

To provide out of hours telephone guidance and direction to practitioners on a rota basis.

To promote the Reconnect programme within local partnerships and the national network of professionals and organisations.