About this role
Job summary
We are looking to recruit an Occupational Therapist to join the Tier 4 day service in Dorset. This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing service that is already showing promise in supporting young people with moderate to severe eating disorders outside of a hospital setting. The role will offer the opportunity to contribute to shaping and developing the day service for young people with eating disorders, as well as supporting those with other mental health difficulties who may benefit from a day service provision as an alternative to hospital admission.
The post is offered as a secondment / fixed-term until 30th September 2027.
This role is central to the delivery of intensive, community-based support aimed at preventing hospital admission. The service combines multi-family group therapy sessions with targeted home-based interventions provided by our Closer2Home team. This innovative approach enables young people and their families to translate therapeutic learning into real-world changes in their home environment.
We are seeking a motivated and skilled Occupational Therapist with experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and/or eating disorders. The successful candidate will bring strong clinical skills, flexibility, and a passion for working collaboratively with families. Experience in delivering structured therapeutic interventions and working within a multi-disciplinary team will be key to this role.
Main duties of the job
To provide specialist occupational therapy assessments and interventions to children and young people at the day service.
Deliver individual and group-based therapeutic programmes.
Complete risk assessments and contribute to risk management planning.
Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide holistic, person-centred care. Liaising with families, carers and partner agencies to support positive outcomes.
Maintain accurate clinical records and outcome measures. Supporting service development, supervision and training activities.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
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.
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 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 [email protected]
Person Specification
Additional Requirements Essential
Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequately to enable duties to be carried out effectively.
Knowledge, skills and training Essential
Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy Demonstrable post graduate experience. Documented evidence of continuous professional development.
Job specific experience Essential
Knowledge of the Model of Human Occupation Ability to communicate verbally with patients/carers and colleagues. Ability to initiate, monitor and implement change.
Information Technology Essential
Able to analyse data and produce reports using Microsoft Excel and Word
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 Wareham Hospital
Streche Road
Wareham
BH20 4QQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)