Magistrates Court Practitioner | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

We’re looking for a qualified Mental Health Nurse, Learning Disabilities Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Health Visitor, Public Health Nurse or Social Worker to join our Liaison and Diversion team. You will have a keen interest in Liaison and Diversion and a passion about supporting our service users as they make their way through police custody, court and prison.

We are a dynamic, people-centred team who are looking for some who is passionate about health outcomes for those making their way through the criminal justice system.

With a reputation for excellence, our service is committed to improving the health of our clients, identifying care pathways, and reducing reoffending.

Recognised with a number of awards, including a Thames Valley/Hampshire Constabulary Police Commendation, Berkshire Healthcare ‘Team of the Year’ and runner-up for the Howard League for Penal Reform ‘Liaison and Diversion Service of the Year’.

We value our employees and put people first. We achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating overall in our latest CQC inspection, which found that: ‘Managers across Berkshire Healthcare promoted a positive culture that supported and valued staff, creating a sense of common purpose based on shared values.’

Triage, screen and assess needs predominately within magistrate’s court, however able to support with other aspects of the service such as custody suites, prison, provide assessments, advice and identify robust care pathways, for individuals where a potential vulnerability has been identified. This role is predominantly based within the magistrates setting.

To act as lead for Hampshire and IOW magistrates’ court and provide clinical in-put to the wider pathways under Liaison and Diversion Services when required (including police custody, volunteer attendance and Reconnect).

To provide the police, court and prison with written and verbal information pertaining to the individual in a timely fashion to inform disposal.

Working pattern + Service operating hours

Our service operates in police custody from 7am-8pm, 7 days a week currently using long days to fulfil this. Our service operates in court from 9am-5pm, 5 days a week. Our service operates across the Hampshire and IOW area so travel across our sites will be expected, some of these sites are not accessible via public transport. Any request for specific working pattens can be considered in line with our flexible working policy.

This role operates in magistrates court 9am to 5pm.

Work base

You will work from within Magistrates Court within predominately Southampton and across Hampshire and IOW when required.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at

Berkshire Healthcare are

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

The “must haves” for this role

A professional qualification at degree level or equivalent in either Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Health Visitor, Public Health or Social Work along with the relevant registration.

Significant experience post registration, with equivalent experience in a mental health/learning disability community, acute setting or criminal justice environment.

Able to assess and manage risk, formulate mitigation plans taking into account health and criminal justice outcomes

Ability to teach/supervise more junior staff within the team

Driving licence holder with access to your own vehicle who is prepared to travel to multiple sites across Hampshire and IOW as required.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have.

Please don’t hesitate to call

Pauline O'Callaghan on 07584 385403 or email:Pauline.OCallaghan@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

This advert closes on Thursday 5 Nov 2026