Access Mental Health SPOA Specialist Mental Health Practitioner


Company:	Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£49,387 - £56,515 p.a.
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Sturminster Newton, DT10 1QU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	8 Jul 2026
Closing date:	7 Aug 2026

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Summary

A Vacancy at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

This new role will work collaboratively between Primary Care and Access Wellbeing Services as part of an Integrated Model of Care.

The intention is to focus services on local communities and local GP practices to help rebuild and reconnect healthcare teams across the communities they serve. This practitioner role will provide screening, triage and referral advice and guidance for the local area, and operational over sight.

You will work collaboratively with Primary Care within identified Locality to undertake screening, triage of referrals into the Access Wellbeing offer, and to provide advice and guidance around referrals, interventions and treatment pathways.

You will work closely and creatively with colleagues in Mental Health Services to determine the most appropriate service for a patient whose needs exceed those which can be met in a primary care setting and work closely with local Community Mental Health Teams by attending Team meetings, jointly meeting patients, and generally integrating with the team to help form a seamless care pathway for patients

This role will work across an identified Locality covering a number of Primary care Networks to provide screening and triage for all referrals into the Access Wellbeing model in the Locality.

The role may include urgent/emergency assessments and will support identifying improved access to appropriate care pathways for people with mental illness.

This role will also provide oversight of the patient pathway from the SPOA into the virtual MDT to help support the identification and progress of the patients intervention and pathway.

The role will provide supervision, support and oversight for the Single Point of Access model in the Locality.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

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 create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

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 candidate’s 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 contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

This advert closes on Wednesday 22 Jul 2026

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