Senior Liaison and Diversion Practitioner

Senior Liaison and Diversion Practitioner
The closing date is 14 August 2026

Job summary
Surrey Liaison and Diversion Service are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated, registered mental health professional to join our team.

If you are passionate about making a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in society, and having the opportunity to learn more about not only mental health but all other associated services, this may be the job for you.

We support those who have come into contact with the youth and criminal justice system with a caring, compassionate, person-centred approach for all vulnerabilities not only Mental Health. We support all ages from the age of 10. This continues through to providing high quality community-based interventions to not only improve health and social care outcomes but also aim to reduce future re-offending.

You will be a strong advocate and work collaboratively with Mental Health Services, Drug and Alcohol Services, Social Care, Probation, Prison Healthcare, Court and Custody colleagues to achieve positive outcomes.

This role requires you to provide clinical expertise, be organised, efficient. The role will be based within police custody or Surrey Courts for the majority of time. Full driving licence is required. The police custody suites are located in Staines, Guildford and Salfords. Our service operates shifts 07:00 - 19:00.

Main duties of the job
You will assess vulnerable individuals focusing on health, social circumstances and risk information as part of your vulnerability and Mental Health Assessments. These will cover mental health concerns, substance misuse, learning disabilities, from which you will develop clear care plans and risk management plans to promote the safe onward care of vulnerable people as they leave police custody, whether they are remanded to a court or prison, or are returning to the community.

You will also provide clinical expertise to the Liaison and Diversion Team, Surrey Police and associated teams and peers. Your assessments and supportive plans will support police and court decision making and respond to the assessed person's needs appropriately.

If you are keen to learn and grow your skills in clinical excellence, by making a real difference to a person's life, within a fast paced, rapidly growing team, this maybe the role for you.

This role requires both enhanced DBS clearance and Sussex Police clearances (NPPV level 2), which we will assist the successful candidate to apply for. Essential criteria for clearance: UK resident for over 3 years.

Our Liaison and Diversion Service is committed and dedicated to developing our Practitioners.by encouraging and providing opportunities for Continued Professional Development, participation in Quality Improvement initiatives and driving clinical excellence.

About us
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill-health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We also provide social care services for people with a learning disability in Croydon and ASD and ADHD assessment services in Hampshire.

We actively seek to engage people who use our services and our communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organisations who provide services and support people who use services and carers.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.

Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach.

For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for this job role.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Details
Date posted: 31 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £41,957 to £50,387 a year Incl 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 325-8134042-HOSP
Job locations: Redwood Centre, Farnham Road Hospital, Farnham Road, Guildford, GU2 7LX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please see the attached document for the job description and for a detailed overview of the main responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Professional Qualification as RMN (Mental health) or SW
• Membership of a professional body NMC or SWE
• Driving License suitable for use in the United Kingdom

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of post qualification study
• 12 months post qualification experience in a mental health setting.
• Sound knowledge of the Mental Health Act including sections relevant to forensic mental health
• Have sound knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Service Manager - Liaison and Diversion Service
Manveen Brar
manveen.brar@sabp.nhs.uk
01483443589