Occupational Therapist

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Wareham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to join the Tier 4 day service in Dorset, focusing on CAMHS and eating disorders in a community setting.

The role involves delivering specialist OT assessments, individual and group therapies, and multi-disciplinary teamwork to prevent hospital admissions, with DBS check supported by the Trust. Secondment/fixed-term until 30 September 2027.

Qualifications

• Registered Occupational Therapist with CAMHS experience.
• Experience delivering structured therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team with families and carers.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist OT assessments and interventions to children and young people at the day service.
• Deliver individual and group-based therapeutic programmes.
• Complete risk assessments and contribute to risk management planning.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic, person-centred care; liaise with families, carers and partner agencies.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service development, supervision and training.

Skills

Specialist occupational therapy

CAMHS experience

Interventions planning

Risk assessment

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Job description

We are looking to recruit an Occupational Therapist to join the Tier 4 day service in Dorset. This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing service that is already showing promise in supporting young people with moderate to severe eating disorders outside of a hospital setting. The role will offer the opportunity to contribute to shaping and developing the day service for young people with eating disorders, as well as supporting those with other mental health difficulties who may benefit from a day service provision as an alternative to hospital admission.

The post is offered as a secondment / fixed-term until 30th September 2027.

This role is central to the delivery of intensive, community-based support aimed at preventing hospital admission. The service combines multi-family group therapy sessions with targeted home-based interventions provided by our Closer2Home team. This innovative approach enables young people and their families to translate therapeutic learning into real-world changes in their home environment.

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Occupational Therapist with experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and/or eating disorders. The successful candidate will bring strong clinical skills, flexibility, and a passion for working collaboratively with families. Experience in delivering structured therapeutic interventions and working within a multi-disciplinary team will be key to this role.

• To provide specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions to children and young people at the day service.
• Deliver individual and group-based therapeutic programmes.
• Complete risk assessments and contribute to risk management planning.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic, person-centred care. Liaising with families, carers and partner agencies to support positive outcomes.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and outcome measures. Supporting service development, supervision and training activities.

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

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only.

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.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Hannah Blunt Job title: River Lodge Mental Health Practitioner Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 01929 507190

Alternatively contact Sarah Mailley, Occupational Therapist Closer2Home 01258 394099/ [e-mail]