Liaison and Diversion Practitioner | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£39,959 - £48,117 per annum
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Newport, PO30 1SZ
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	11 Sept 2026
Closing date:	11 Oct 2026

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Summary

We are looking for a passionate Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disability Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Health Visitor, Public Health Nurse or Social Worker to join our award-winning Hampshire & Isle of Wight Liaison & Diversion Service. This post is based on the Isle of Wight.

This is an opportunity to use your professional skills beyond traditional clinical settings and support people who are involved with the criminal justice system. You will work with individuals experiencing complex needs and vulnerabilities, including mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness and social exclusion.

You will work across Newport Police Custody Suite and Newport Magistrates' Court and, as required, prison settings, providing specialist assessment, advice and care planning, identifying appropriate pathways into health and community services and helping people access the right support at the right time.

Ideally, you will live on the Isle of Wight. If you live off-island, you will need to consider ferry travel, including time, costs and potential weather-related disruption.

The working pattern for the post is 9am–5pm, including every other weekend. There may be occasional travel across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire for training, team meetings and induction. Some locations are not accessible by public transport.

Applications will be considered as they are received and the vacancy may close early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore recommend applying early.

• Triage, screen and assess needs within the following settings: police stations, custody suites, prison, community settings& magistrates’ courts and provide assessments, advice &identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential vulnerability has been identified.

• To provide the police, court& prisonwith written & verbal information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal 

• To work closely & build links with all referring agencies within the custody suite, court, probation& prison acting as a single point of contact for health 

• To work autonomously, with the ability to organise & manage own time according to delegated workload. 

Working pattern & serviceoperating hours:

The wider Hampshire Liaison and Diversion service operatesin police custody from 7am-8pm 7 days a week. The court service operates from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

This Isle of Wight post will work 9am-5pm, including every other weekend, & will be based at Newport police custody suite.

The role may also involve supporting colleagues remotely across Hampshire when required. Occasional travel across Hampshire & the Isle of Wight may be expected, including for training, team meetings & during the induction period; some sites are not accessible by public transport. Any request for a specific working pattern can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.

Work base:

Within Newport police custody suite.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a 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. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority

• Committed to providing good quality, safe services

• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the 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 including electric vehicles

• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services

• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants

• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality

• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave

• Free parking across Trust sites

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. 

Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services identify people who have vulnerabilities when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system as suspects, defendants or offenders.

L&D services aim to improve overall health outcomes for people and to support people in the reduction of re-offending through assessing, proactive onward referrals and informing decision makers. It also aims to identify vulnerabilities in people earlier on which reduces the likelihood that people will reach a crisis-point and helps to ensure the right support can be put in place from the start.

The successful applicant will work in the police custody suites and occasionally the courts; working with people within the criminal justice system where vulnerabilities are suspected and further assessment is indicated to inform disposal of the case and to identify care pathways for appropriate onward referral/support.

Due to the nature of the service, there is an additional requirement to secure police/prison vetting for this role. For the purposes of vetting, the candidate will require at least three-years residency in the UK. Vetting is a thorough investigation of an individual’s background, character, and suitability to work in the police force or prison. It includes checks on criminal records, financial history, employment history, personal relationships, and lifestyle choices.

The “must haves” for this role:  

1. A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Health Visitor, Public Health or Social Work along with the relevant registration. 

2. At least 18months post registration experience.

3. Driving licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to travel to multiple sites across Thames Valley / Hampshire as required. 

4. This post is subject to police vetting which requires that you have been a resident within the UK for a period of three years.

If you recognise yourself in these requirements, we recommend that you apply today! 

We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Clinical and Operational Lead, Laura Pring, on 0300 123 5066 (Hampshire) or laura.pring@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help. You can find out more about the service on our website.   

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. 

This advert closes on Sunday 11 Oct 2026

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