Perinatal Community Mental Health Practitioner | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in England is seeking a Perinatal Practitioner to join their mental health team. The role involves working with women experiencing mental health challenges during pregnancy and postnatally, providing assessments, therapeutic interventions, and coordination with local services. Candidates should have professional registration in mental health care and a passion for perinatal mental health. This position offers opportunities for further training and career development.

Benefits

Fully funded specialist training

Support and supervision within a high performing team

Qualifications

• Professional registration is essential.
• Experience in mental health care for women during the perinatal period is preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Provide care for women with mental health problems during pregnancy and postnatally.
• Participate in service development and provide therapeutic interventions.
• Liaise with local CMHTs and social services.

Skills

Mental Health assessment and intervention

Consultation and liaison with professionals

Group work and therapeutic interventions

Education

Professional registration as Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker

Job description

Perinatal Practitioner – Overview

We are excited to announce an opportunity for a Perinatal Practitioner to work with the Dorset Perinatal Community Mental Health service. We will welcome professional registration from a range of disciplines including Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker.

The service offers specialist mental health treatment to women experiencing mental health difficulties in the perinatal period. This is an opportunity for professionals with a passion for Perinatal Mental Health to immerse themselves within our Perinatal Services.

We are a kind, friendly, motivated team who will be happy to welcome you to our service. The service will help you to further develop your skills, access fully funded specialist training and provide support and supervision to be part of a high performing multidisciplinary team. We are proud that the perinatal service currently has one of the highest staff retention rates in the South West and has always attracted a high calibre both locally and nationally.

Responsibilities

The practitioner will work within this dynamic team providing care for women with a moderate to severe degree of mental health problems during pregnancy and up to a maximum of one year postnatally, working across both the inpatient unit and within the community outreach service.

The practitioner will be expected to actively participate in the development of a high quality and innovative service for women, their babies, and their partners.

This post involves assessment, treatment and monitoring of the mothers’ mental health, development and monitoring of parenting skills, individual 1‑1 work, group work and other therapeutic interventions, regardless of the location, which may be either within the inpatient unit or a community setting.

An important facet of this role involves consultation and liaison with local CMHTs, Child & Family Social Services and Health Visitors amongst other professionals.

This post will require the practitioner to work closely with the Perinatal Mental Health Service Team Leader in the day‑to‑day running of the service and, in their absence, oversee the service provision, ensuring all areas of the service are staffed adequately, the receipt of referrals and allocation or workload across the team.

Qualifications & Requirements

Professional registration from a range of disciplines including Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Social Worker.

Applicants who require a current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check required; the Trust will cover the cost of the check.

Equality & 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.

Closing Date

This advert closes on Sunday 2 November 2025.