Activity Co-ordinator

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Activity Co-ordinator for Pebble Lodge, an adolescent inpatient unit. You will support the delivery of education and activity programmes and work with the Occupational Therapy team, nursing staff and psychologists.

The role requires a full UK driving licence and availability to travel on Trust business. DBS checks are mandatory and sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Experience in working with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Support inpatient multidisciplinary team at Pebble Lodge.
• Organise and co-ordinate a range of client-focused groups.
• Drive to work-related appointments and transport patients.
• Participate in staff training and supervision opportunities.

Skills

Driving

Communication skills

Time management

Organisation

Job description

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Activity Co-ordinator

The closing date is 21 October 2026

Join our multidisciplinary team at Pebble Lodge, a purpose-built 10-bed general adolescent unit (ages 13-18). You'll play a key role in delivering our education and daily activity programme for young people experiencing acute mental health needs.

To enhance the support we offer, the unit is looking for an motivated, enthusiastic & forward-thinking experienced support worker. The role will involve working closely alongside the Occupational Therapy team, Nursing Staff & Psychologists to support the development & maintenance of structure & routine into inpatients care & treatment.

The focus is to support the discharge pathway of each inpatient through the structured ward activity programme & linking with external agencies to the ward.

Joining a well-established Multi-Disciplinary Team, providing assessment, treatment, & rehabilitation to patients with a mental disorder & associated offending behaviour, whilst being committed to clinical excellence & the provision of high quality evidence based intervention

Driving is essential for this role. You need to hold a full, valid UK driving licence and to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention & Management of Violence & Aggression course, it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking to recruit a motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated Activity Co-Ordinator who has experience in working with people from a range of diverse social and ethnic backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate a genuine desire to support young people with their mental health and commit to delivering the highest quality of patient centred care using national quality standards and evidence-based practice.

The successful applicant will be expected to support the inpatient Multi-Disciplinary Team at Pebble Lodge and assist with organising, co-ordinating and where needed delivering a wide range of client focused groups.

We require someone who is flexible and approachable. Effective communication skills, time management and organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to work well with all members of the multi-disciplinary team. The successful applicant will be required to drive to work related appointments and transport patients to support their recovery and rehabilitation. The Trust is committed to developing staff through training and supervision and offers a range of developmental training opportunities for all staff.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Please ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English for effective performance in the role.
• Demonstrable experience of working with children, young people and families and individuals with a mental health disorder

Information Technology

• Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training.

Additional requirements

• A level of fitness and ability to perform Physical Intervention and/or Breakaway techniques (following training).

Hold a UK driving lisence

• Must hold this without any driving offences

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.

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust