Mental Health Nurse

RCJ Advice is an exceptional Citizens Advice and Law Centre delivering national legal advice services, both frontline and second tier, to people who are unable to afford legal representation and advice. We are based within the Royal Courts of Justice, the Central London Family Court and community sites across London, where we deliver local Citizens Advice services.

This post is a new role within our Miscarriage of Justice Support Service, the only national service in England and Wales providing specialist support to people affected by miscarriages of justice. Our role is to support individuals whose criminal convictions have been quashed by the Court of Appeal. Many clients have spent many years, and sometimes decades, in prison before their convictions were overturned. As a result, many experience complex trauma, institutionalisation and significant challenges associated with release and reintegration.

Our work is grounded in the belief that those affected by miscarriages of justice deserve not only to have their convictions overturned, but to be supported with dignity, continuity, and recognition as they rebuild their lives. We offer long-term, person-centred, trauma-informed support tailored to the needs of each individual.

Working alongside the two MJSS Caseworkers, the specialist Mental Health Nurse will provide mental health assessments, psycho-social support and interventions to people affected by a serious miscarriages of justice.

The role includes support planning, delivery of interventions within professional competence, facilitating access to appropriate services, liaison with health and social care providers, and supporting individuals through key stages of their journey, including whilst waiting on their appeal to be heard (whilst still in prison), possible release from custody and community reintegration. The focus will be on MJSS clients but may expand to their family members or other close relations who can also be deeply affected by the client’s incarceration and subsequent release.

The two Caseworkers are based at our offices within the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The team meet clients in person initially, to build a relationship, which will involve travel across England and Wales. Once a relationship has been established, typically we then communicate via telephone and online, but people may still need in-person support e.g. attending appointments with them.

Ideally the post-holder would come into the office at least several times a month to build and maintain an excellent working relationship with the Caseworkers, giving the option to work at other times from home or to travel. Travel for this role will vary according to the needs of each client, but we expect this to be round once a fortnight. All travel expenses will be paid by RCJ Advice.