Mental Health Practitioner in Police Custody

Somerset Foundation Trust'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 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). The team’s primary role is to complete mental health and other vulnerability assessments in criminal justice settings and identify unmet needs with a view to referring on to a range of relevant health and social care services.

The team routinely share relevant information with criminal justice agencies (where consent has been obtained) to ensure that wherever individuals are in the criminal justice system, their mental health needs and information about other vulnerabilities are known, enabling the police and courts to make informed decisions about charging and sentencing.

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.

Practitioners are based in the police custody suites and courts of Somerset, working 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 the court system and provide 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, and 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, assessment, liaison and facilitating access to appropriate mental health/social care services.

We support local police, courts and associated criminal justice agencies to ensure timely, accurate, relevant information is available to criminal justice professionals taking into account holistic assessment and provides guidance and liaison.

**These referral pathways include**: adult/children's social and mental healthcare, female support agencies, peer support, Support time and recovery work, housing and veteran services.

The team places great emphasis on in team learning as well as collaboration with wider local agencies to enhance cross profession knowledge sharing.

As part of a team of qualified workers, you will be part of a rota mainly covering Bridgwater police custody and courts.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust endeavours to provide development opportunities for those looking to develop a career in the NHS, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.

We have six active and impactful colleague networks. These networks provide a safe space for colleagues to share their experiences and learn from one another, but also influence change across our trust:

- Multicultural Network
- Women’s Network
- Armed Forces’ Network
- LGBTQ+ Network
- Lived Experience Network, for colleagues living with disabilities
- Autistic Colleague Network

As an organisation the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts.

Somerset is a rural community served by several Community Hospital sites in addition to Musgrove Park Hospital which is only a short walk from the centre of Taunton. Local to two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, less than 1hr from celebrated secluded beaches of Devon and Dorset. With award-winning schools & rolling countryside it's no surprise that Somerset is the choice for those in search of the perfect work-life balance.

To be based in police custody suites and magistrates’ courts in order to provide holistic, psycho-social assessments of mental health and other vulnerabilities for those coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

Following assessment, to identify robust care pathways for individuals where a potential mental health, learning disability or other significant
health or social care need has been identified.

Please see Job Description for further information.