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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.
Registered Charity 
101 - 500
Thank you!
IPS Grow Support Lead
We are recruiting for an experienced IPS professional to join the IPS Grow team, supporting services across London and the South East.
This role is ideal for a current or recent Employment Specialist or Senior Employment Specialist looking to develop their IPS expertise and support services to improve quality, fidelity and employment outcomes.
Position: IPS Grow Support Lead - London & South East
Location: London & South East/Hybrid, with a mix of remote and onsite working
Hours: Full-time
Salary: £39,000 plus £5,000 London Market Premium
Contract: Permanent
Closing date for applications: 4 September 2026 at 9am
First stage interviews: 23 September 2026, via Zoom
Second stage interviews: 7 October 2026, face to face in London Bridge
About the Role
You will work alongside experienced IPS Grow colleagues to develop your skills and knowledge while providing practical, hands-on support to IPS services across London and the South East.
A key focus will be training to become an IPS fidelity reviewer, initially working as a co-reviewer alongside Regional Leads. You will also support services to overcome barriers to successful IPS delivery, improve performance and achieve strong employment outcomes.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Training to become an IPS fidelity reviewer and supporting fidelity reviews and guided self-assessments
- Producing clear and accurate fidelity reports and action plans
- Supporting services to implement and monitor fidelity and race equity action plans
- Providing in-field mentoring and modelling IPS best practice
- Coaching IPS staff in employer engagement, race equity and performance management
- Supporting the development of training materials and resources
- Building relationships with IPS services and regional stakeholders
- Supporting Regional Leads with performance and quality conversations
- Helping services improve data quality and use of national reporting systems
- Supporting learning networks, communities of practice, workshops and webinars
- Producing reports and case studies demonstrating impact
The role involves significant travel across London and the South East, with occasional travel outside the region. You will also attend regular team days and quarterly organisational events.
About the Team
IPS Grow is a national programme supporting the expansion of Individual Placement and Support services across mental health, primary care and drug and alcohol teams throughout England.
The programme is led by a not for profit organisation in partnership with a leading mental health charity and is funded by national health, employment and public health bodies.
A core element of IPS Grow is the expert support provided by a team of IPS professionals who work directly with providers to improve fidelity to the IPS model and achieve better employment outcomes.
As a Support Lead, you will work closely with Regional Leads, Workforce Leads and other Support Leads, developing your own IPS expertise while providing practical support to services across the region.
About You
This role suits an IPS professional with current or recent experience at Employment Specialist or Senior Employment Specialist level who is ready to build on their frontline experience and develop their knowledge of IPS quality and service improvement.
Skills, experience and qualifications we are looking for include:
- Current or recent experience as an IPS Employment Specialist or Senior Employment Specialist
- A good foundational understanding of the IPS model, fidelity scale and practical application
- A track record of achieving good employment outcomes for people accessing IPS
- Strong experience of employer engagement and integration within clinical teams
- The ability to support positive change and improvements within IPS services
- Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
- A structured and practical approach to problem solving
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Commitment to race equity and evidence-based employment support
- High levels of integrity, empathy, initiative and personal leadership
- Commitment to your own professional development and keeping up to date with IPS practice
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly across London and the South East
About the Organisation
Join an ambitious not for profit organisation that works with governments, service providers, the voluntary sector and the financial community to find better ways of tackling complex social problems.
The organisation combines expertise in financial analysis, data, service design and social research to understand the needs of people and communities and develop practical solutions capable of creating systemic change.
Its work addresses issues including homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health, learning difficulties, employment, loneliness and support for vulnerable children and families.
The multi-skilled team brings together people from diverse backgrounds who share a commitment to creating meaningful social change. The organisation's work is guided by three core values: curious, empathetic and pioneering.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Applications are actively encouraged from under-represented and minoritised groups, including people with lived experience of the social issues the organisation is working to address.
The organisation is an equal opportunities employer and supports a range of flexible working options.
Reasonable adjustments can be provided throughout the recruitment process.
Other roles you may have experience with could include: IPS Employment Specialist, Senior Employment Specialist, Employment Specialist, Employment Adviser, Employment Support Adviser, Supported Employment Adviser, IPS Practitioner, Employment Coach, Employment Support Officer, IPS Support Officer.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP
