Liaison and Diversion Team Lead

We are looking for a compassionate, confident and experienced Liaison and Diversion Team Lead to provide day-to-day leadership for our Liaison and Diversion outreach team in Surrey.

Working in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, you will support the delivery of high-quality, safe and effective services for vulnerable people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. This is a varied and rewarding role, combining operational leadership, staff supervision, partnership working and a reduced caseload of complex and high-risk clients.

You will lead and support a team of practitioners, help manage service performance and quality, and work closely with health, social care, criminal justice and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes for people experiencing mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, learning disabilities, neurodiversity and other complex needs.

We are looking for someone who can bring strong leadership skills, sound judgement, and a commitment to trauma-informed, recovery-focused and person-centred practice. In return, you will be part of an organisation that values Kindness, Integrity and Commitment, and is committed to improving health, wellbeing and life opportunities for people across Surrey.

Location: Frimley Park Hospital, Guildford
Salary: £32,680
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: type: Permanent

Key responsibilities:

Leadership and Operational Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of the Liaison and Diversion team.
• Support the recruitment, induction and development of staff and volunteers.
• Conduct regular supervision, appraisal and performance reviews for team members.
• Support staff wellbeing and promote a positive, inclusive and psychologically safe working environment.
• Provide management cover and deputise for the Catalyst Senior Manager when required.
• Lead team meetings and case discussions.
• Support the implementation of organisational policies, procedures and best practice guidance.
• Monitor staffing capacity and workload allocation to ensure safe and effective service delivery.

Clinical and Case Management

• Hold a complex caseload requiring enhanced intervention, multi-agency coordination and risk management.
• Support staff in managing complex cases involving mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, safeguarding concerns and social vulnerability.
• Formulate support and risk management plans.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, escalated and managed in accordance with local safeguarding procedures.
• Support clients to access appropriate health, mental health, housing, welfare, treatment, recovery and community support services.
• Promote recovery-focused and trauma-informed practice across the service.
• Ensure service users are supported to engage effectively with criminal justice processes and community services

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Police, Courts, Probation, Youth Justice Services, NHS organisations, Local Authorities and voluntary sector partners.
• Represent Catalyst and the Liaison and Diversion Service at internal and external meetings.
• Promote integrated working across health, criminal justice and community services.
• Support the development of pathways that improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
• Facilitate joint working and information sharing arrangements in accordance with GDPR and information governance requirements.
• Act as a key contact for partner agencies and support the resolution of operational challenges

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Support the Catalyst and SABP Service Managers in developing and improving service delivery.
• Contribute to service reviews and quality improvement projects.
• Identify gaps in local provision and support the development of new partnerships and initiatives.
• Promote innovation and evidence-based practice across the service.
• Participate in contract monitoring and performance reporting processes.
• Support the development of community resources that enhance recovery, diversion and social inclusion

Performance and Governance

• Monitor service activity and outcomes to ensure contractual and organisational requirements are achieved.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of client information on case management systems
• Carrying out service audits, and following thought to ensure all requirements are met.
• Maintain compliance with information governance, confidentiality, safeguarding and data protection requirements.
• Prepare reports, performance information and outcome data as required.
• Ensure all team members maintain accurate case records and complete mandatory training requirements.
• Contribute to risk management and incident reporting processes

About the organisation

Through Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health, and wellbeing—together, every step of the way.

 About you

Essential:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with adults with complex needs, such as mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, neurodiversity, learning disabilities or offending behaviour.
• Experience of providing supervision, mentoring or line management to staff.
• Experience of working in partnership with multiple agencies and services.
• Experience of managing complex and high-risk cases.
• Knowledge of mental health, substance misuse and social vulnerabilities.
• Understanding of safeguarding legislation and practice.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and risk management.
• Good understanding of information governance, consent, confidentiality and GDPR.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships.
• Ability to analyse complex information and make sound decisions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and workloads.
• Strong report-writing and record-keeping skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability and professionalism.
• Committed to social inclusion and reducing inequalities.
• Able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Resilient and adaptable in challenging situations.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development.

Desirable:

• Degree, diploma or professional qualification in Mental Health, Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Criminal Justice, Health and Social Care or a related field.
• Leadership or management qualification.
• Understanding of the Liaison and Diversion model and criminal justice pathways

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources

Safeguarding & Checks

• This role is subject to a basic DBS check.
• A past history of drug/alcohol issues or criminality will not necessarily exclude you from this role; we encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate.
• All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.

We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.