CAMHS Duty Practitioner | Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£39,959 - £48,117 pro rata
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Poole, BH15 2NT
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	20 Oct 2026
Closing date:	19 Nov 2026

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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.

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.

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.

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 contact dhc.wideningparticipation@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.

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.

This advert closes on Tuesday 3 Nov 2026

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