Liaison and Diversion Practitioner – Criminal Justice Team: Sponsorship Available

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust has been providing L&D services since 2012.

The shift pattern consists of early shift 07:00-15:00 and late shift 14:00-22:00 hrs Monday to Friday. Weekend service operating hours are 13.00-21:00hrs.

The L&D also deliver a service to Bromley and Bexley Magistrates 09:00-17:00hrs Monday to Saturday including bank holidays. It will introduce community link workers as a third sector provider provided by Waythrough which will allow the L&D team greater scope to identify those vulnerable offenders who can be supported in the community once released from either police custody or the magistrates. We are pleased to announce that Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust has been successful in securing the contract for the Liaison and Diversion (L&D) South Lot service following a competitive tendering process. Oxleas will continue to deliver the L&D service in close partnership with the South London Partnership (SLP).

Main duties of the job

  • To provide specialist knowledge on forensic mental health within the criminal justice system, namely police stations and courts within Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, offering advice and consultation to colleagues in the criminal justice system and mental health services.
  • Maintain clinical direction and leadership, coordinating a team of clinical staff to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality mental health care for people with vulnerabilities in crisis within police custody.
  • Hold responsibility for assessment of care needs and the development, implementation, and evaluation of therapeutic care.
  • Lead the team to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
  • Ensure the voices of service users, carers, and criminal justice professionals are heard so that care is of a high standard and services meet need.
  • Provide a framework for supervision, caseload management, reflective practice, and monitoring of clinical standards. Ensure adequate staffing and flexible deployment of resources.
  • Work within codes of practice, legal and statutory frameworks, maintaining accountability and client confidentiality. Participate fully in CPD and supervision, supporting staff, mentoring students, and promoting learning.
  • Provide clinical reports initiating pathways of care across courts, custody, agencies, and prisons.
  • Maintain knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act, and other relevant legislation, and adhere to Trust policies.

Person Specification

Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Specialist experience in vulnerable groups

Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working autonomously

Skills and Experience

Essential

  • Facilitate assessments and formulate outcomes

Qualification/Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience at NHS band 5 (or equivalent) level
  • Relevant Professional Qualification (RMN/OT/Social worker/Psychologist)

Desirable

  • Experience in multiagency working

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing Date: 8 October 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.