Camhs Practitioners

Dorset Healthcare University Nhs Foundation Trust; Southmoor; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for a part‑time CAMHS practitioner (RNMH/RNLD or social worker) to join our multi‑disciplinary team. You will support children and young people with complex mental health needs, contribute to i‑Thrive implementation, and work across Dorset as service structures evolve.

The post is 22.5 hours per week, Band 6 under Agenda for Change, permanent contract.

Qualifications

• Essential: NMC/HCPC/SWE registration.
• Essential: Understanding of therapy outcome measures.
• Essential: Knowledge of the legislative framework for therapists.
• Essential: Knowledge and application of therapy assessments/interventions.
• Essential: Ability to manage demanding workload to deadlines.
• Essential: Ability to write reports and correspondence.
• Essential: Evidence of CPD.

Responsibilities

• Undertake duties per attached job description and person specification.
• We encourage reflective practice and clinical supervision as part of CPD.

Skills

NMC/HCPC/SWE registration

Therapy outcome measures

Legislative framework knowledge

Therapy assessments & interventions

workload management

Written correspondence & reports

CPD / continuing professional developm

Job description

Job summary

Are you an experienced Registered Mental Health Nurse/ RNLD or Qualified Social Worker? Join our multi-disciplinary team at Dorset CAMHS, and be part of our Transforming Children and Young People's Mental Health Service. You will work within the Getting More Help pathway, you will support children and young people with complex mental health needs through assessment, intervention and care coordination. You will play an important role in the implementation of the i-Thrive model, helping to develop and deliver responsive, accessible mental health services across Dorset. We are seeking a compassionate, resilient and adaptable practitioner who is committed to delivering high-quality care and embracing innovative ways of working. As our service develops, roles are currently pan-Dorset, you may work from a temporary base while new service structures are established. Flexible working arrangements, including extended hours, may be required. This is a part-time post of 22.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake comprehensive mental health assessments, including risk assessment and formulation
• Deliver goal-focused, evidence-based interventions for children and young people
• Provide care coordination for a defined caseload
• Work collaboratively with families, schools, social care, GPs and voluntary services
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary team working and decision-making
• Promote early intervention, recovery, resilience and inclusion
• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential clinical records
• Actively engage in clinical supervision, reflective practice and continuing professional development

Visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

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 create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Details

Date posted: 21 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £23,975 to £28,870 a year p.a.

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part‑time

Reference number: 152-M382.26

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.

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.

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]

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

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• NMC/HCPC/SWE registered
• Understanding of therapy outcome measures.
• Knowledge of the legislative framework within which occupational therapists work.
• Knowledge and application of therapy assessments and interventions relevant to the client group.
• Ability to manage demanding workload to agreed deadlines and timescales
• An ability to write correspondence and reports
• Documented evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

• Broad experience of working with clients with a range of mental health problems
• Previous experience in Children's Mental Health/CAMHS

Job Specific Experience

Essential

• Ability to communicate information clearly
• Ability to liaise successfully with colleagues in other sectors, health service and private and voluntary organisations
• Ability to manage time and conflicting demands and prioritise workload accordingly
• Ability to communicate verbally with patients/carers and colleagues

Desirable

• Experience of group work

Additional requirements

Essential

• An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities and the issues relating to disabled people.
• Basic IT keyboard skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training
• The willingness to work flexibly

Business Travel

Essential

• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business

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 details

Employer name: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address: The Children's Centre, Damers Road, Dorchester, DT1 2LB, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Team Leader Claire Symes, [e-mail], 01305255705

Closing date: 04 November 2026. Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice.