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Senior Mental Health Practitioner

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

London, SW18 4JB

Salary

£58,133 to £65,261

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Not specified

Closing date

2 September 2026

2 days left

Job description

The Forensic Liaison & Diversion (L&D) Service is looking for a Senior Mental Health Practitioner to join our service. This is an exciting and unique ...

Improving health outcomes for mentally disordered offenders through early identification and screening and providing interventions that facilitate timely and appropriate pathways to care.

To provide a service to Wandsworth Police Custody Suite and support to junior colleagues at Wimbledon magistrates

The shift pattern consists of a mixture of early shift (08:00-16:00) and late shift (14:00-22:00) hrs Monday to Friday and the weekend service operating hours are 13.00-21:00hrs.

To provide specialist knowledge on forensic mental health within the criminal justice system namely police stations and the courts within SWLStG Mental Health NHS Trust, providing advice and consultation to colleagues within the criminal justice system and mental health services.

Maintain clinical direction and leadership, coordinating a team of clinical staff for a consistent provision of high-quality mental health care to people with mental health vulnerabilities in crisis within police custody and hold continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic care.

Lead the team in a way that supports the development of a culture of continuous improvement and learning across the Trust.

Ensure that the voices of service users, their carers and criminal justice professionals are heard so that a high standard of care is provided and the service develops in the best way to meet their needs.

To provide specialist knowledge on forensic mental health within the criminal justice system namely police stations and the courts within SWLStG Mental Health NHS Trust, providing advice and consultation to colleagues within the criminal justice system and mental health services.

Maintain clinical direction and leadership, coordinating a team of clinical staff for a consistent provision of high-quality mental health care to people with mental health vulnerabilities in crisis within police custody and hold continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic care.

Lead the team in a way that supports the development of a culture of continuous improvement and learning across the Trust.

Ensure that the voices of service users, their carers and criminal justice professionals are heard so that a high standard of care is provided and the service develops in the best way to meet their needs.

To work within codes of practice and professional guidelines and to be accountable for own professional practice.

Ensure observance and the working of all relevant legal and statutory requirements.

Required to act within broad occupational policies without guidance or direct supervision.

To maintain client confidentiality at all times.

To participate fully in continuous professional development and supervision. To work to the forensic mental health and professional capabilities framework.

To regularly provide mentorship and supervision of staff within the team.

To support and promote learning for students.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.

Training & Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree in Social Work or CQSW/Dip Social Worker OR RMN qualification
  • Post-qualifying/registration training

Desirable

  • Educated to Masters Level.
  • Knowledge of the South London Partnership ( SLP) ASW / AMPH

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of up to 2 years as a Band 6 or above and demonstrable achievement in working within a forensic and/or community setting and or with experience in working with mentally disordered offenders.
  • Robust working knowledge and/or experience of the criminal justice system.
  • Knowledge of appropriate mental health legislation and relevant national policy developments in Offender Health.
  • Skilled in the assessment and management of risk.
  • Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care.
  • Successful Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) vetting is essential for this role

Desirable

  • Experience of engaging/supporting clinical research projects
  • Experience of supporting practice development in clinical areas

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of the forensic pathway throughout all levels of security to include step-down services and community.
  • Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures
  • Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, Care Act, Housing Act, Quality & Safety Governance, Clinical audit and relevant national policies
  • Ability to provide and receive complex and emotive information with staff, service users, carers and other stakeholders
  • Ability to effectively deal with aggression as well as exposure to distressing emotional situations related to serious offending behaviour and mental disorder.
  • An open and facilitative style of leadership which can be adapted when necessary to ensure delivery of objectives.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the forensic pathway throughout all levels of security to include step down services and community
  • Understanding of The Bradley Report in relation to L&D services

How to apply

Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.

Provenance

Source

NHS Jobs

First seen

19 August 2026

Last checked

21 August 2026

Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.

About the employer

SWL
South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

NHS organisation

This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.

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