Job summary
Do you want to be part of an integral team who work with people who've had contact with the police, have been arrested, or are likely to enter the criminal justice system in the near future?
We're looking for an Advance Support Time & Recovery (STR) Worker to join our Hampshire Liaison & Diversion Service.
You're enthusiastic, dynamic, and passionate about making a difference to the lives and life chances of young people. You'll develop and strengthen links with other stakeholders, such as the youth offending and neighbourhood police teams, and be an advocate for young people.
The Advanced STR worker will support custody practitioners in conducting triaging and screenings in custody and escalating to a practitioner if acute risk or complex needs are present. They will also be responsible in supporting the wider STR workforce with advice and clinical support across the Hampshire criminal justice systems.
Overseas sponsorship is not available for this role, and you must have the right to work in the UK.
Main duties of the job
Work alongside Liaison and Diversion practitioners as part of the Liaison and Diversion Team under the direction of the team. Work with people who are within criminal justice systems providing support with practical concerns or difficulties that might be affecting their health and wellbeing.
To undertake need led assessment and reviews using trauma informed approaches for specified vulnerable groups within police custody, the courts, prison, and the community. Keeping them fully informed of the range of services and support available to them and the choices they have. To have a key focus on our vulnerability groups but also be aware that research shows that mental health problems are experienced by 70% of drugs users and 86% of alcohol users and being mindful of how to gain support for those individuals with the court, volunteer attendance and community setting.
To write court reports and assist the courts in identifying community disposal roles as opposed to custodial sentences.
To provide effective evidence-based screenings of complex service users, building a therapeutic trusting relationship, signposting and referring to appropriate services, liaising with families, carers, and other professionals where appropriate to ensure that service users needs are met.
Operate flexibly countywide in the community, custody suites and magistrates' courts.
To work independently with caseload work managed and goals agreed that are reviewed regularly through supervision.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust isa specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire.
We value diversity and are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 Employer. We work hard to create an inclusive environment where you'll be supported by friendly and professional colleagues to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.
Benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave.
- Free parking across Trust sites
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role is flexible across the Hampshire area according to locality and custody/court need, so the candidate is required to have flexibility to travel to localities across Hampshire as per roster. The advanced STR worker may also hold a small caseload of complex service users to support their engagement with community services, this may include such services as drug and alcohol. You will be able to work independently on this caseload and therefore must have good time management skills.
We're looking for someone who is educated to degree level in health and social care or equivalent professional or vocational qualifications in health and social care subjects or equivalent level of knowledge and/or practical experience of working in a health or social care setting. You might be a recent graduate looking for your first social care job or already be working within the sector. What matters most is your passion and determination to support vulnerable young people.
The "must haves" for you to be considered for this role:
- Educated to degree level in health and social care or equivalent professional or vocational qualification in health and social care subjects or equivalent level of knowledge and/or practical experience of working in a health or social care setting.
- Licence holder with access to your own vehicle and prepared to travel across Berkshire as required (travel and mileage will be reimbursed in line with our Trusts policy
- A warm personality, good communication and people skills.
- Experience of working in a health and social care setting with a willingness to develop the service and your own practice.
If youre someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, join us and lets be outstanding together.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Educated to degree level in health and social care or equivalent professional or vocational qualification in health and social care subjects or equivalent level of knowledge and/or practical experience of working in a health or social care setting.
- Completed the Care Certificate
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Experience of working in a health and social care setting.
Desirable
- Experience of teaching/training individuals and groups.
- Experience of mentoring, supervising and supporting junior staff members
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrate well developed written communication skills, with the ability to produce letters, write reports, maintain accurate records, and record statistical information.
- The ability, with supervision, to manage own workload in an effective and timely manner.
- Able to demonstrate a general understanding of mental health issues with a positive non-judgemental approach towards people within the criminal justice service.
- Team-working skills within a multi-disciplinary group.
- Able to articulate a clear knowledge of policy i.e. Legislative frameworks, within which mental health services are delivered, including Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, and criminal justice outcomes.
- Experience of exposure to distressing and contentious information/situations.
- Ability to understand and summarise complex information
Desirable
- Experience of supervising staff, volunteers, or peer mentors.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address
Lake Road Health Centre
Nuffield Place
Portsmouth
PO1 4JT