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.

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.

Details
Closing date: 03 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata
Contract: Fixed term, 18 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 152-M230.26A
Location: Poole Community Health Clinic, Shaftesbury Road, Poole, BH15 2NT

Essential criteria

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

Desirable criteria

• ENB998/Mentor Prep/teaching and assessing in clinical practice.
• Ability to work with young people with challenging behaviour
• Evidence of the legislative framework
• Experience in teaching on in-house (professionals/peers) training sessions

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions. An Enhanced DBS check is required and the Trust will cover the cost.

To apply: Apply through our website. Please note visa sponsorship for this role is not available.

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