Health Based Place of Safety (HBPoS) Mental Health Practitioner

NHS; Poole; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Poole is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Practitioner for the Health Based Place of Safety unit. Responsibilities include providing care for individuals experiencing acute mental health crises and collaborating with various professionals for timely assessments. Candidates must be registered mental health nurses with experience in acute care and strong assessment skills. This is a full-time role with shifts, including nights and weekends, and offers a salary between £35,392 and £42,618 annually.

Qualifications

• Registered mental health nurse with the ability to lead and work in multi-professional teams.
• Experience in working under pressure and meeting deadlines is essential.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe assessment, care, and treatment in the HBPoS.
• Liaise with professionals and agencies for timely assessments.
• Complete all clinical and legal procedures in line with Trust policy.

Skills

Registered Nurse (Mental Health)

Experience with adults with serious mental illness

Knowledge of legal frameworks (MHA, MCA, DOLs)

IT skills including Microsoft packages

Written and spoken English proficiency

Job description

Health Based Place of Safety (HBPoS) Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 02 February 2026

Are you a registered mental health nurse looking for a new opportunity to make a real difference to people's experience of care and treatment during a mental health crisis? The Health Based Place of Safety Team, based at St Ann's Hospital in Poole are looking for positive and compassionate nurses, with excellent therapeutic engagement and assessment skills in supporting people experiencing acute distress.

The primary function of the team is to provide safe environment and care for people being detained under Section 136 of the MHA and being brought in by the Police for the purpose of a Mental Health Act Assessment.

The service operates 24/7 and shifts are over this period, including nights, weekends and Bank Holidays.

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 ensure the safe and appropriate assessment, care and treatment to those brought into the HBPoS. Working closely with the clinical site managers.

To liaise with, and work alongside, a range of professionals and external agencies, including police, AMHPs, medical colleagues to facilitate the timely assessment of those detained in the HBPoS under the Mental Health Act.

To ensure all clinical and legal procedures and documentation are completed in line with Trust policy and MHA Legislation.

Successful completion of PMVA training is an essential requirement for this role.

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.

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]

Person Specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

• Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• Experience of working with adults with serious and acute episodes of mental illness.
• Good working knowledge of legal frameworks of the Health Based Place of Safety, MHA, MCA, DOLs.

Managerial Experience

• To supervise junior colleagues and students, and act as a role model and mentor to other clinical staff.

Additional Requirements

• IT skills, including use of Microsoft packages, email and clinical records systems
• 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

Personal Attributes

• Ability to lead and work in multi-professional teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

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

£35,392 to £42,618 a yearp.a. pro rata for part-time