Mental Health Practitioner in LADS
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 20/09/2026
- Closes
- 30/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This is a Band 6 Criminal Justice Mental Health Practitioner role within Somerset's Liaison and Diversion Service (LADS). The service provides mental health and vulnerability assessments for individuals in criminal courts and police custody, identifying unmet needs and facilitating access to appropriate health and social care services. The role involves working autonomously, making clinical decisions, and collaborating with criminal justice agencies and health partners. The service operates seven days a week, with staff predominantly working long day shifts, though part-time hours are considered. Candidates will need to undertake a shadowing visit in custody prior to interview.
Key responsibilities
- Undertake mental health and vulnerability assessments for individuals within police custody and court settings.
- Identify unmet mental health, health and social care needs and facilitate access to appropriate services and support.
- Produce high-quality screening reports and communicate relevant information to criminal justice agencies.
- Provide advice, guidance and education to police officers, court staff and partner agencies regarding mental health and vulnerability.
- Liaise effectively with community mental health teams, social care, housing, substance misuse, learning disability and voluntary sector services.
- Undertake risk assessments and contribute to safeguarding processes for children and vulnerable adults.
Essential criteria
- A professional qualification relevant to mental health practice.
- Current relevant professional registration.
- Either:
- RMN/Degree/Diploma in Nursing.
- CQSW/Degree/Diploma in Social Work.
- Degree in Occupational Therapy.
- Significant experience and knowledge of working with people with mental health problems.
- Significant experience of assessing risk and developing risk management plans.
- Experience of undertaking autonomous assessments.
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the clinical area.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of providing supervision.
- Experience of working in a community mental health setting.
- Experience of working within a Forensic/Criminal Justice environment.
- Good knowledge of resources and working practices across Health and Social Care, including substance misuse, learning disability, children's services and housing.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 2d ago · Closes in 9d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Mental Health Practitioner in LADS
The closing date is 30 September 2026
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Somerset's Liaison and Diversion Service (LADS) as a Band 6 Criminal Justice Mental Health Practitioner.
Liaison and Diversion provides a service to individuals appearing at Somerset's criminal courts, including Taunton, Yeovil and North Somerset Magistrates' Courts and Taunton Crown Court, as well as individuals detained in police custody at Bridgwater Police Centre.
The team is part of NHS England's national Liaison and Diversion Programme and, in partnership with Avon and Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust, supports the wider Avon and Somerset police area.
The team's primary role is to complete mental health and vulnerability assessments within criminal justice settings, identify unmet needs and facilitate access to appropriate health, social care and community services. By sharing relevant information with criminal justice agencies, the team helps ensure informed decision-making and improved outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
The service operates seven days a week between 8.00am and 8.00pm. Staff predominantly work long day shifts, although part-time hours will be considered. Free onsite parking is available at Bridgwater Police Centre.
Candidates shortlisted for interview will be required to undertake a sh
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