CAMHS Family Practitioner

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS Trust in Poole is looking for a compassionate Family Practitioner to support children and families struggling with emotional disruption. The role involves delivering evidence-based support programs and working collaboratively with parents and young individuals. Ideal candidates will have experience in mental health services and hold an NVQ Level 3 in health or social care. This is a fixed-term position, offering a chance to contribute positively to the community.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English.
• Able to travel using own vehicle for Trust business.
• A level of fitness for Breakaway training and Manual Handling.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical help and support for young individuals facing emotional disruptions.
• Encourage parents to recognize their strengths.
• Ensure highest standards of service delivery according to Trust policies.

Skills

Experience working with young people

Experience working with outside agencies

Significant experience with young people with mental health problems

Ability to create innovative solutions

Experience of supporting families of young people with mental health problems

Experience of delivering group activities

Education

NVQ Level 3 in health or social care

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

The closing date is 08 October 2025

Poole CAMHS are looking for a 12 month fixed-term Family Practitioner. As a Family Practitioner you will provide practical help, support & guidance to children, young people and their families. You will assist identification of families who would benefit from receiving support & promote the importance & relevance of the parenting care pathway to families whose child display emotionally disrupted behaviours where parenting support would be the key intervention.

The service is entering an exciting period of growth, with new investments and initiatives underway. This role will evolve alongside the development of our service; initially, you may support existing teams while new structures are implemented. All positions are pan-Dorset and will involve having a temporary base during the transitional phase. As our service develops, some roles may involve working flexibly within extended hours to reflect our commitment to being there at the moments that count most. This is more than just a role - it\'s a chance to help shape a growing service and be part of something that really matters. We are looking for compassionate, adaptable and positive individuals who are inspired by the idea of making a genuine difference and who want to help shape the future of care in our community.

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Main duties of the job

To provide practical help and support where there is evidence of extreme emotionally disrupted behaviours which warrant specific evidence-based parenting programmes.

To encourage parents to recognise their skills and strength as a highly effective strategy in supporting their child/children.

Ensure the highest standards of service are provided; to ensure that services to young people and their carers are delivered and developed accordingly to Trust, Social and Healthcare departmental policies.

We currently provide the following CAMHS services across Dorset:

• CAMHS Gateway
• 6 Community CAMHS teams
• 10 Bed adolescent inpatient unit
• Connections service
• Peer specialists working within our community and inpatient team

We are proud to be part of the wider CAMH service in Dorset and all it has achieved in recent years, with its progress and developments being demonstrable. Currently our CAMHS community services are rated Good and our CAMHS inpatient unit is rated as Outstanding. We have been fast tracked by NHSE to deliver New Care Models providing a closer to home crisis home treatment service. We are also part of the national trailblazer to deliver Mental Health Support Teams in schools across a number of sites in Dorset. In addition, NHSE have commissioned Dorset Healthcare to build a new state of the art 8 bed PICU.

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 [e-mail]

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.

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

• Experience working with young people
• Experience working with outside agencies
• Significant experience of working with young people with mental health problems and distress
• NVQ Level 3 in health or social care

Job specific experience

• The ability to work in challenging and complex situations
• Ability to create innovative solutions working alongside patients to help meet their identified goals and needs
• Experience of supporting young people with mental health problems
• Experience of supporting families of young people with mental health problems
• Experience of delivering & facilitating group activities/interventions

Information Technology

• IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
• Experience of using Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of Data Protection Act

Additional requirements

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
• A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).

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