Band 6 Senior CJLS Practitioner - Bristol

We are looking for an experienced Mental Health Practitioner (RMN, RNLD, Social Worker, OT) to join the Integrated Non-Custodial Liaison and Diversion service, offering assessment and support and to individuals within Criminal Justice settings in Bristol (predominantly Bristol Magistrates Court, however there may be some cover required in Police Custody suites also). We operate under an all vulnerabilities model, identifying care pathways for individuals with a wide range of support needs, including mental health needs, substance misuse issues, learning disabilities and neurodiversity.

The successful applicant will be working with people within the criminal justice system, where a potential mental health need is suspected and further assessment is indicated, to inform disposal of the case and to identify robust care pathways. This involves a commitment to close partnership working with both statutory and voluntary sector agencies, and a commitment to working with a complex and diverse range of individuals with varying needs. The post holder will be expected to supervise the Support, Time and Recovery Workers and advise on the more complex cases.

Main duties of the job

The CJLS (Criminal Justice Liaison Service) provides mental health assessments, identifies care pathways and where indicated diversion to individuals within the courts and Police custody suites.

The post holder will form part of the management structure of our developing and expanding service covering Magistrates Courts, Crown Courts and Police custody suites in an identified area.

The role will be based predominantly in Bristol Magistrates Court, with occasional cover in Police Custody and Crown Court where required.

This post is open to newly qualified social workers. In line with AWP trust policy all newly qualified social workers (NQSW) will be recruited initially at Band 5 level, regardless of advertised role banding. All NQSW's are expected to successfully complete their ASYE within 2 years of employment, unless there are exceptional circumstances in which case it may be extended for a further 2 years.

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and lived experience, and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.