Job summary
The post of Lead Practitioner will be deployed across the Criminal Justice Liaison & Diversion service. We are looking to recruit individuals with expertise in the assessment of people across all vulnerabilities, including Substance misuse, Learning Disability and Children and young people with core skills including assessment and signposting.

The service works with people within the criminal justice system where potential mental health and or learning disability need is suspected and further assessment is indicated to inform disposal of the case and to identify robust care pathways.

A commitment to close partnership working with both statutory and voluntary sector agencies and a commitment to working with a complex and diverse range of individuals with varying needs is vital to achieve the service's objectives.

This post will require Police vetting checks

Main duties of the job
The Award Winning Liaison & Diversion Team is looking for dynamic and innovative Lead Nurse or Social worker Practitioner with expertise in the assessment of people across all vulnerabilities, including Substance misuse, Learning Disability and Children and young people with core skills, including assessment and Signposting.

You will have relevant qualifications and experience. The team are based within the police custody suites and magistrates courts across Derbyshire providing support, assessment and signposting to individuals within the criminal justice system from suspicion of offence to disposal. L&D is an all age all vulnerability service from the age of 10 upwards presenting with a wide range of needs.

You will be working alongside an established team of professionals all with expert knowledge and experience of meeting the needs of individuals throughout the criminal justice pathway across the 'all vulnerabilities 'model.

About us
Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of 'making a positive difference in people's lives'.

CQC rated us as 'GOOD' overall, commenting on how our colleagues "treated patients with compassion and kindness" and "felt positive and proud about working for the trust."

Benefits include:

• Commitment to flexible working where this is possible
• 27 days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years' service
• Yearly appraisal and commitment to ongoing training
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
• Health service discounts and online benefits
• Incremental pay progression
• Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7
• Access to our LGBT+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network
• Health and wellbeing opportunities
• Structured learning and development opportunities

Details
Date posted: 08 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 383-SPE-7517-26
Job locations: Derbyshire Police Custody, Various Sites, Derby, DE22 3LZ

Job responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either mental health nursing, learning disability nursing, substance misuse or social work
• Hold current registration with pertinent body
• Evidence of post registration training and development
• Learning and Assessing in the Practice Environment or equivalent teaching qualification

Experience
Essential

• Knowledge of Offender Health/Knowledge of Criminal Justice

Desirable

• Learning Practice Mentor
• L&D experience or Assessment Service experience

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.

Additional information
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: Team Manager Deeann Whiteside, deeannwhiteside@nhs.net