About this role
Job summary
Are you a motivated clinician with a core profession and an interest in working systemically with children, young people and families? Would you like to gain a nationally recognised CYP-IAPT Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Family Practice?
We are seeking enthusiastic professionals from nursing, social work, occupational therapy, teaching and other relevant backgrounds to join Dorset Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMH). This training opportunity combines academic study at the University of Exeter with supervised clinical practice, equipping trainees to deliver evidence-based systemic interventions for children, young people and families experiencing emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties.
Working within a pan-Dorset service, successful candidates will support children and young people with a range of needs across CYPMH teams. Dorset CYPMH is undergoing an exciting programme of transformation, with investment supporting service development in line with the i-Thrive Framework.
The Children's Mental Health Network includes Core CAMHS, Intellectual Disability CAMHS, Looked After Children Services, Forensic CAMHS and Mental Health Support Teams in Schools.
The programme starts in January 2027, and applicants must be able to enrol by 1 December 2026. This is a fixed-term training post. Current NHS employees will usually be appointed on a secondment basis and should seek agreement in principle from their manager before applying.
Main duties of the job
As a CYP-IAPT Recruit to Train Systemic Family Practitioner, you will undertake a Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Family Practice with the University of Exeter alongside supervised clinical practice within Dorset CAMHS.
You will manage a supervised caseload of children, young people and families, undertaking assessments and contributing to formulation, care planning and intervention delivery. You will deliver evidence-based systemic family interventions under supervision, applying learning from the training programme directly to practice.
The role involves working collaboratively with children, families, carers, schools and partner agencies to support positive outcomes. You will participate in multidisciplinary meetings, consultations and joint working across services, while maintaining accurate clinical records, outcome measures and reports.
You will engage fully in clinical, managerial and university-based supervision, complete all academic and practice requirements of the training programme, and contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement activities.
Successful candidates will work within a supportive multidisciplinary team, maintaining high professional standards and building effective relationships with internal and external partners to support integrated care. Strong communication, organisational and time-management skills are essential, along with the ability to travel independently across Dorset for clinical and training commitments.
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.
Job description Job responsibilities
For the main duties, responsibilities and eligibility 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.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old 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 [email protected]
Person Specification
Education and Qualification Essential
RMN or RN with current NMC registration Or Allied Health Professional with HCPC registration or UKCP registration. Evidence of continuing professional development Recognised qualification or working towards a qualification in a specific model of therapy relevant to a mental health setting.
Experience and Knowledge Essential
Post graduate experience Previous experience of working with adults, children and their families who experience mental health difficulties. Ability to work with young people with challenging behaviour Experience of multi-agency working Good understanding of Safeguarding issues Empathetic and flexible approach to demanding, sometimes physical and/or verbal abuse from Service Users/Patients Evidence of the legislative framework 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
Skills and Abilities Essential
Able to drive and access to a car Ability to manage demanding workload to agreed deadlines and timescales An ability to write correspondence and reports
Other Requirements Essential
Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times
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 Dorset CAMHs
Alumhurst Rd
Bournemouth/Dorset
BH1 4LB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)