Job summary
Join us in shaping the future of Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Services across Dorset.

Are you an experienced, ambitious and collaborative senior leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people to join our Children, Young People & Families Mental Health Services (CYPMH).

This is a pivotal leadership role within our CYPMH senior leadership team, providing operational and strategic leadership across community-based mental health services for children, young people and families throughout Dorset.

As Senior Service Manager, you will be responsible for the operational management, performance, quality, workforce and financial sustainability of community CYPMH services across Dorset. You will work closely with senior clinical leaders, operational managers, commissioners, local authorities, education providers and voluntary sector partners to deliver high-quality, evidence-based services.

You will lead strategic programmes of work across Dorset, supporting the continued implementation of the THRIVE Framework and contributing to the delivery of national priorities, including improvements in access, quality and service transformation.

Interviews will be held Tuesday 1st December at Blandford Hospital.

Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership across community CYPMH services to ensure safe, effective and responsive care.
• Driving performance against national and local access, quality and waiting time standards.
• Leading service transformation programmes and contributing to the development of Dorset-wide mental health strategies.
• Managing substantial budgets and ensuring effective use of resources.
• Developing strong partnerships with local authorities, education partners, commissioners and provider organisations.
• Leading and supporting Operational Service Managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensuring robust governance, quality improvement, workforce development and service innovation.

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.

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.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 a year p.a.
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 152-M415.26
Job locations: Trust Headquarters, 2 Nuffield Road, Poole, BH17 0RB, 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 contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification
Educational Requirements / Qualifications
Essential

• Masters level qualification
• Indepth experience of working in children's mental health services where multi-disciplinary working

Desirable

• Evidence of Leadership training at a senior level

Skills & Competencies
Essential

• Thorough understanding of the organisational change process and proven application of change models

Desirable

• Experience of manging organisational change

Knowledge
Essential

• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the THRIVE Framework.

Desirable

• Demonstrate a good understanding of the Families First Programme

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: Trust Headquarters, 2 Nuffield Road, Poole, BH17 0RB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Head of Children's Services, Helen Duncan-Jordan, helen.duncan-jordan@nhs.net, 07876482285

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice