CAMHS Acute Services Practitioner (Community Based)

NHS; England; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in the UK seeks a passionate CAMHS Acute Services Practitioner for a community-based role aimed at supporting young people in crisis. Candidates should have relevant professional qualifications and experience in children's mental health. The role offers flexible working patterns and emphasizes a strong commitment to clinical governance and evidence-based practice. Join a dedicated team committed to making a positive impact in the lives of young individuals and their families.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in children's mental health.
• Knowledge of clinical governance principles.
• Understanding of emotional impact on individuals and families.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality mental health assessments.
• Liaise with agencies to deliver care.
• Provide evidence-based interventions.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Autonomous working

Commitment to service

Enthusiasm for service development

Flexibility and adaptability

Education

RNLD or RMN and/or RSCN or equivalent

State Registration with NMC

Job description

CAMHS Acute Services Practitioner (Community Based)

The closing date is 29 January 2026

Dorset CAMHS has launched a brand-new Enhanced Support and Liaison team that will operate within the three Acute Hospitals and across the community offering enhanced support to young people and their families in time of crisis. This service will provide comprehensive Mental Health assessments and short‑term crisis interventions to support young people who are in crisis and to enable and empower them to a place of stability.

This new team already has an excellent, experienced and skilled workforce of practitioners and clinical managers, and we would love for new energetic, passionate and experienced staff to join us as we expand to build a well‑supported, clinically skilled team across Dorset.

We are investing heavily in a comprehensive training package to ensure that all staff have the tools they need to operate safely and confidently with our young people. Whilst experience working with young people is a requirement, the training to assess, manage and treat those in crisis will be part of the induction to this team, alongside excellent supervision from our team of clinical and operational managers.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Main duties of the job

To offer high quality mental health assessments and clinical formulations for young people and families referred from a variety of settings, both in acute hospital settings and in the community. Ensuring high standards of clinical practice when working with all young people and their families/carers.

To liaise with relevant agencies in the delivery of care to young people and their families.

To provide evidence‑based therapeutic interventions to children, young people and their families, who are under the Enhanced Support and Liaison Team.

To work with colleagues within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to ensure delivery of comprehensive packages of care. Make recommendations relating to the admission and discharge of patients based on analysis of presenting problems under supervision.

This role would be predominantly focused on working with young people in the community across Dorset. We support flexible working where possible, and the role can incorporate a hybrid of home working and site working across Dorset as well as the three acute Hospitals.

The service operates from 8am to 9pm, 7 days a week so there is scope for weekend working and enhancements, longer but fewer working days through the week as well as early or late shifts.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

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 almost 800,000 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 be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

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]

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills, and training

• RNLD or RMN and/or RSCN or an equivalent professional qualification e.g., OT, Social worker
• State Registration with NMC

Job Specific Experience

• Previous experience in children or learning disabilities/mental health
• Previous experience working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and/or ADHD and/or other developmental disorders
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application
• Documented evidence of CPD
• Previous experience working with children and young people in a CAMH service
• Previous experience of working with children in the community
• An understanding of emotional and physical impact of illness/disability on an individual, their family/carers

Personal Qualities and Attributes

• Ability to communicate information clearly
• Ability to manage time and conflicting demands and prioritise workload accordingly
• Willing to work autonomously
• Committed to offering the best possible service to the patient group
• Enthusiasm for developing the service
• Willingness to explore new ways of working with services and delivery

Additional Requirements

• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business
• Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
• The willingness to work flexibly
• An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and the issues relating to people with mental health problems and/or a disability
• Holds a full UK driving licence

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.

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearp.a. / pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,Flexible working,Compressed hours