Job summary
Wakefield Police Liaison is looking to recruit a Band 6 Police Liaison Practitioner, you'll be based at Normanton Police Station. You'll provide specialist mental health advice and support to police officers and staff, helping people experiencing mental health difficulties access the most appropriate care and intervention. This is a 24/7 service working over a combination of shifts and bank holidays.

We're looking for a Registered Mental Health Practitioner with experience in adult mental health services who is proactive, adaptable and passionate about partnership working. In return, you'll join a supportive team and receive a comprehensive induction to help you develop within this unique and rewarding role.

You will be employed by SWYFT with some operational support from West Yorkshire Police.

Applicants should be registered practitioners with experience at Band 6 in a mental health service for adults and meet the essential requirements for the post in the person specification.

A period of induction and preceptorship will be available for the successful candidate.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and is also committed to a healthy work life balance. All applicants will be assessed fairly and on merit.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to
have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

Main duties of the job

• Review/advise and assist with mental health related logs.
• Accompany response officers where individuals contact Police, threatening suicide or displaying behaviour considered to be connected to mental health issues.
• Provide officers with guidance and support when they have contact with individuals who are considered to have mental health issues.
• Sharing of need to know information around persons who are reported as missing and have a mental health history who are likely to be at risk to self or others.
• Attend along with police when dealing with people in crisis, providing specialist advice, support and joint assessment.
• Provide assistance and information/knowledge to the Hub Commander and Police Officers/Staff in terms of past history (when appropriate and in line with the Data Protection Act), likely outcomes, suitable pathways and general advice.
• To provide specialist advice and signposting onto appropriate services.
• You should be forward thinking, proactive and it is essential that you are willing to work flexibly.
• The role provides the opportunity to work across the health and social care spectrum as part of an integrated team which has links to a multi-disciplinary service.
• The ability to form effective professional working relationships with your team colleagues and service users is an essential requirement of the job.

About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage
and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as directed.

The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

To work as a senior member of the police liaison team providing comprehensive mental health assessments for those in crisis, identify care pathways and offer support and advice to local police who come into contact with those who have mental health issues.

The successful applicant will work in the police station and maintain close links with mental health services, social care and other voluntary agencies.

This involves 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.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

• 01. To attend with or without the police, varying community settings and provide mental health assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways for individuals where a potential mental health or learning disability need has been identified.
• 02. To provide the police with written information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion.
• 03. To work closely and build links with all officers, acting as a single point of contact for mental health.
• 04. Facilitate mental health act assessments at the police station or in the community if clinically indicated.
• 05. To be proficient in all aspects of care and risk management associated with the role of lead professional, whilst referring to appropriate community teams.
• 06. To provide specialist advice and service to the police where indicated.
• 07. To provide mental health information that is proportionate in order to provide the best outcome for the person, where a potential mental health need has been identified.
• 08. To have the interpersonal skills necessary to develop a therapeutic alliance with emotionally and psychologically disturbed clients and their carers enabling the client to accept responsibility for their personal wellbeing appropriate to their level of cognitive functioning.
• 09. To work collaboratively with clients, carers and multiple other agencies to provide effective care to optimise and maintain clients mental state and overall functioning.
• 10. To have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding or current issues and research relevant to the legislative framework and systems in which mental health care is delivered e.g. CPA, MHA (1983), S136.
• 11. To take personal responsibility and supervise junior staff, ensuring the maintenance of written and electronic client and Trust records including inputting data related to own work activity and to be accountable for your own professional practice.
• 12. To participate in the development of and practice within the policies and procedures of the Trust and adhere to NHS and NMC guidelines or appropriate governing body specific to professional role.
• 13. To have an understanding or and participate in the clinical audit process within health and social care.
• 14. To be responsible for providing training to the Police, Police liaison practitioners and wider IHBTT colleagues re own discipline.
• 15. To promote and disseminate evidence based practice relevant to the Liaison and Diversion and the criminal justice system to individuals and target groups within the health and social care community, through the development and delivery or appropriate training.
• 16. To participate in the Trusts appraisal system taking responsibility for own continues professional development, keeping abreast of current research and evidence base and participating in training and development opportunities.

At the time of advertising,
this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.

We are happy to
accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other

For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification
Special Knowledge/Skills
Essential

• Experience of carrying out complex risk assessment and development comprehensive packages of care to meet individual needs and management associated risks.
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Skills in specialist assessments, negotiation, engagement and teamwork.

Desirable

• Recognised qualification in clinical supervision.
• Experience of substance misuse.
• Relapse prevention.
• Use of assessment tools.

Training
Essential

• Working knowledge of the MHA 1983, CPA and other relevant codes of practice.

Desirable

• Training in P.S.I. and C.B.T.
• HCR-20

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with people who are difficult to engage having developed through theoretical and practical knowledge of working with people with severe and enduring mental illness.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations.
• Substantial experience of practice at a senior level working autonomously and responsibility of supervising others.
• Substantial experience in community setting.
• Evidence of leadership skills and experience of supervising other staff.
• Experience of support carers and families.
• A proven commitment to working in partnership with service users and carers in the delivery of effective services

Desirable

• Experience/training in Research.

Qualifications
Essential

• A Professional Qualification at degree level or equivalent in either mental health nursing or social work.
• Hold current registration with relevant professional body
• Evidence of post registration training and development

Desirable

• An NMC approved mentorship qualification, such as Supporting Learning in Practice (SLiP) or equivalent, and evidence of ongoing mentoring activity.
• Equivalent level of teaching mentoring qualification.

Physical Attributes
Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Demonstrate ability to be flexible, self-motivated and work in M.D.T. setting and ability to work with Partnership agencies.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Ability to travel across the Trust as appropriate to the role
• Ability to work unsocial hours

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 (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address
Wakefield Police Liaison Wakefield IHBT
Oasis Centre, Fieldhead
Wakefield
WF1 3SP
United Kingdom

Employer's website
https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Karen Megson
karen.megson@swyt.nhs.uk
07825606975

Details
Date posted
13 August 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 6

Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Full-time,
Part-time,
Flexible working

Reference number
C9378-W1530

Job locations
Wakefield Police Liaison Wakefield IHBT
Oasis Centre, Fieldhead
Wakefield
WF1 3SP
United Kingdom

Supporting documents
Privacy notice
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)