Reconnect Practitioner

Job summary

The post holder will work within the ReConnect Care after Custody for Lancashire & Cumbria, covering 6 prisons & also the wider community of Lancashire & Cumbria. Reconnect is a triage, assessment, referral & support service and starts working with people before they leave prison, where they will have access to Reconnect practitioners, engagement practitioners & Peer Support Workers, helping them to make the transition to community-based services. It is offered to people in prison up to 12 weeks prior to release, & up to 6 months support post release.

Reconnect will create an effective link between prison & community in order to:

o increase access & uptake up of healthcare or relevant support services for vulnerable individuals who would otherwise struggle to engage

o reduce health inequalities for prison leavers

o ensure the health needs of individuals who are leaving prison are met

o ensure a safe transition from prison to community-based healthcare & support services & to provide follow-up to ensure engagement is maintained.

The Reconnect Practitioner role will identify and respond to requests to screen and assess people with vulnerabilities for persons who are approaching release from Her Majesty's Prisons and subsequently provide support within the community upon their release from prison.

Main duties of the job

This Reconnect Practitioner role will identify and respond to requests to screen and assess people with vulnerabilities for persons who are approaching release from Her Majesty's Prisons and subsequently provide support within the community upon their release from prison.

Referrals will be identified and received where there have been concerns that an individual has mental health issues, learning disability, substance misuse, social care, safeguarding or other vulnerabilities.

The role will assess for a number of vulnerabilities, using validated tools, ensuring risk is assessed and relevant information shared to ensure appropriate services are accessed and manage the safety of clients and others.

Assessment will consider the emotional wellbeing, cultural and gender needs, age and development related needs, including transition to adulthood and older person needs, social circumstances (including, relationships, leisure requirements, daily living, educational and occupational needs, employment/vocational needs, housing, finance) of those referred to ReConnect.

Information will be shared appropriately verbally and in a written report to the referrer and other key professionals to inform decision-making and continuing planning/delivery of care.

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

oDegree qualification in relevant subject or demonstrable evidence or equivalent experience relevant to field of practice

Knowledge

Essential

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 assessing and mitigating risk - including risk of harm to self and others Knowledge of use and interpretation of health screening tools Knowledge and understanding of capacity and consent

Experience

Essential

Working with people with complex needs for a minimum of 2 years either whilst studying or post qualification Initial Assessment of Health and Social Needs Assessment of Risk of Service Users to self and others Timely and accurate documentation on electronic records Ability to recognise system barriers and utilise effective communication strategies to overcome and develop relationships

Skills

Essential

Able to demonstrative creative approaches to problems Ability to recognise system barriers and utilise effective communication strategies to overcome and develop relationships To make judgements which require analysis and interpretation To actively contribute to service and self-development. Ability to provide supervision of junior staff.

Work Related Circumstances

Essential

Willingness and consent to enhanced DBS Prison vetting as required Ability to comply with the travel requirements of the post Commitment to equality and diversity Comply with health and safety

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