Job summary

We are seeking enthusiastic and experienced mental health professionals to join our Core CAMHS teams as Duty Practitioners on an 18-month fixed-term contract. Full-time opportunities (37.5 hours per week) are available within our teams in Bournemouth, Poole, and North and East Dorset.

As a CAMHS Duty Practitioner, you will provide timely assessment, risk management and support for children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will help coordinate urgent responses and ensure young people and families can access the right support at the right time.

This role is suitable for registered Mental Health Nurses, Learning Disability Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and other Allied Health Professionals with experience of working with children, young people and families. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across health, education, social care and voluntary sector services to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.

We are looking for practitioners who are confident in assessing risk, making informed clinical decisions and working in a fast-paced environment. In return, we offer regular supervision, professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Dorset.

Main duties of the job

As a CAMHS Duty Practitioner, you will provide responsive support and intervention for children and young people referred to, or open to, Core CAMHS services. Working within the duty team, you will respond to urgent presentations, undertake mental health and risk assessments, and contribute to safe, effective and person-centred care.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing duty cover and supporting children and young people requiring urgent assessment or intervention.
• Undertaking mental health and risk assessments in clinics, schools, homes and acute settings.
• Developing risk management and treatment plans with young people, families and carers.
• Delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions where appropriate.
• Providing consultation, advice and support to families and partner agencies.
• Working collaboratively with health, education, social care and voluntary sector colleagues.
• Supporting safeguarding processes and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and contributing to service improvement.
• Supporting colleagues and students through supervision and mentorship.

We are looking for practitioners who are passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people, thrive in a fast-paced environment and are committed to delivering high-quality care. In return, you will receive regular supervision, professional development opportunities and support from an experienced multidisciplinary team.

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.

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.

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.

Details

Date posted

20 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

152-M230.26A

Job locations

Poole Community Health Clinic

Shaftesbury Road

Poole

BH15 2NT

United Kingdom

Job description

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 AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, 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 [email protected]

Please note 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.

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. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Job description 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 AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role. All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, 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 [email protected] Please note 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. 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. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

• RNLD or RMN or RN with current NMC registration Or Allied Health Professional with HCPC registration or UKCP registration.
• Membership of professional body
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Recognised qualification or working towards a qualification in a specific model of therapy relevant to a mental health setting.

Desirable

• ENB998/Mentor Prep/teaching and assessing in clinical practice.

Job specific experience

Essential

• Post graduate experience
• Previous experience of working with adults, children and their families who experience mental health difficulties.
• Previous experience working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and/or ADHD and/or other neuro developmental disorders
• Experience in developing and delivering of group work and/or teaching groups of children
• Experience of multi-agency working
• Good understanding of Safeguarding issues
• Ability to manage demanding workload to agreed deadlines and timescales
• An ability to write correspondence and reports
• Documented evidence of continuous professional development
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application
• Knowledge of the standards required by the Care Quality Commission
• Previous experience working with children and young people in a CAMH service

Desirable

• Ability to work with young people with challenging behaviour
• Evidence of the legislative framework
• Experience in teaching on in-house (professionals/peers) training sessions

Information Technology

Essential

• Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training

Personal qualities

Essential

• Ability to manage time and conflicting demands and prioritise workload accordingly
• Willing to work autonomously
• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business

Person Specification Knowledge, skills and training Essential RNLD or RMN or RN with current NMC registration Or Allied Health Professional with HCPC registration or UKCP registration. Membership of professional body Evidence of continuing professional development Recognised qualification or working towards a qualification in a specific model of therapy relevant to a mental health setting. Desirable ENB998/Mentor Prep/teaching and assessing in clinical practice. Job specific experience Essential Post graduate experience Previous experience of working with adults, children and their families who experience mental health difficulties. Previous experience working with children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and/or ADHD and/or other neuro developmental disorders Experience in developing and delivering of group work and/or teaching groups of children Experience of multi-agency working Good understanding of Safeguarding issues Ability to manage demanding workload to agreed deadlines and timescales An ability to write correspondence and reports Documented evidence of continuous professional development Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and its application Knowledge of the standards required by the Care Quality Commission Previous experience working with children and young people in a CAMH service Desirable Ability to work with young people with challenging behaviour Evidence of the legislative framework Experience in teaching on in-house (professionals/peers) training sessions Information Technology Essential Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training Personal qualities Essential Ability to manage time and conflicting demands and prioritise workload accordingly Willing to work autonomously 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Poole Community Health Clinic

Shaftesbury Road

Poole

BH15 2NT

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Poole Community Health Clinic

Shaftesbury Road

Poole

BH15 2NT

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)