Job summary
Dorset Mental Health Support Teams in Schools are seeking Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners to work in West Dorset.

We are seeking enthusiastic staff who are passionate about children's mental health. You will need to have completed an accredited PGDip EMHP training course with one of the recognised universities to be eligible for this role.

The Mental Health Support Teams work with children, young people and their families with the aim of improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in a variety of education settings.

You will work autonomously within the scope of your training, experience and local job description, with appropriate supervision, you will provide high-quality mental health support for children and young people in education settings.

If you are interested in moving to Dorset we also offer a generous relocation package of up to £10,000. For further details on relocation expenses please email dhc.careers@nhs.net

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.

Main duties of the job
You will:

• Deliver evidence-based interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
• Identify those who require additional or specialist support and facilitating access to appropriate services.
• Work collaboratively with school and college staff to support the identification and management of mental health and wellbeing needs.
• Build effective partnerships with education settings to improve access to mental health support.
• Promote integrated care by working across education and mental health services.
• Use your professional knowledge and skills to deliver safe, effective and person-centred support.
• Work within professional, organisational and clinical governance frameworks, seeking supervision and support where appropriate.
• Promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in partnership with children, young people, families, carers and education

About us
At Dorset Health Care 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. 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
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year p.a.
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 152-M408.26
Closing date: 19 November 2026

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 contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification
Essential

• Evidence of ability study at degree level
• Good written and oral communication skills
• IT literate
• Evidence of successfully working within a team/teamworking
• Core Values which concur with trust values
• Car driver with access to vehicle for work
• Evidence of working with children and young people
• Understanding of safeguarding/risk

Desirable

• Evidence of working with families
• Evidence of working with children and young people with mental health needs
• Evidence of knowledge and understanding of the education system

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Weymouth Hospital, Melcombe Avenue, Weymouth, DT4 7TB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us

For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Service Lead, Alison Williams, alison.williams2@nhs.net, 01305361900