Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Mental Health Practitioner - Community Mental Health Rehab Team West

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Job summary

Nationally it has been recognised that rehabilitation is an important clinical area that supports longer term recovery for people experiencing complex psychotic illnesses.

The CRT supports people who are negatively impacted by disabilities related to serious mental illness who may be treatment resistant or who have previously spent long periods in hospital. It aims to support people regain improved quality of life through independence and engagement in meaningful activities.

The CRT West team is based at Forston Clinic. We offer a pan Dorset service (barr BCP) and as such all staff will be provided with appropriate IT equipment.

All post holders will work as part of an integrated multi-disciplinary team that may include Mental Health Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Psychology Assistants, Support Time Recovery Workers, Employment Specialists, Social Workers, Care Managers, Admin Assistants, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Medical Staffing.

This posts working between the hours of Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00, flexibility will be considered.

The caseload numbers will reflect the complexity of the client base that Mental Health Practitioners will be care coordinating in the community. It is anticipated that these clinicians will manage between 10 and 12 clients in the community including those transitioning from Inpatient Rehabilitation Services.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high quality, recovery focused and person centred approach to a caseload of individuals which always considers people's safety, their potential and hopes, privacy and dignity and supports individuals to maximise their independence and connections within their community.

To act as a clinical role model providing leadership, support and day to day supervision to junior members of the team, facilitating effective workingwithin the team and collaborative and multidisciplinary working.

To support the development of staff and assist them in meeting workdemands in providing a high quality patient experience and contributing to the continuous development of rehabilitation services to the people of Dorset

Promote a safe working environment for all.

Work effectively with other agencies to support individuals in thecommunity in order to provide holistic care and support in line with bestpractice guideline and evidence.

Recommend a friend or family member and earn cash!

Do you have a friend or family member you would recommend to join us? Or do you know someone who wants to return to practice in the NHS? If the person you refer is appointed by the Trust and completes their probationary period you will receive £500 reward payment for the introduction! Please contact the recruitment team if you require further info!

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.

Details

Date posted

16 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M422.25

Job locations

Forston Clinic

Herrison Rd

Dorchester

DT2 9TB


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 using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, 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

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

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 using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, 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

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

Person Specification

Business travel

Essential

  • Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • Registered practitioner to degree / diploma level supplemented by diploma level specialist training and / or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
  • Membership of the relevant Professional Body
  • Evidence of recent professional development in an up to date portfolio

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Experience of multi-disciplinary working
  • Knowledge and understanding of legislation relevant to Practice
  • Ability to evaluate care leading to improvement in quality standards and service improvement

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation in both verbal and written form for example with staff, patients / service users, visitors or external organisations in the exchange of complex, sensitive or contentious information, which will require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills
  • Evidence of complex communication skills both verbal and written to deal with difficult situations
  • Able to analyse and assess sometimes challenging and complex situations requiring interpretation of potentially conflicting situations with the ability to make judgements on appropriate courses of action, requiring consideration of a range of options and the implications of each .
Person Specification

Business travel

Essential

  • Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • Registered practitioner to degree / diploma level supplemented by diploma level specialist training and / or short courses or demonstrable extensive experience in the relevant specialty
  • Membership of the relevant Professional Body
  • Evidence of recent professional development in an up to date portfolio

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Experience of multi-disciplinary working
  • Knowledge and understanding of legislation relevant to Practice
  • Ability to evaluate care leading to improvement in quality standards and service improvement

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation in both verbal and written form for example with staff, patients / service users, visitors or external organisations in the exchange of complex, sensitive or contentious information, which will require the use of negotiating and/or persuasive skills
  • Evidence of complex communication skills both verbal and written to deal with difficult situations
  • Able to analyse and assess sometimes challenging and complex situations requiring interpretation of potentially conflicting situations with the ability to make judgements on appropriate courses of action, requiring consideration of a range of options and the implications of each .

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).

Additional information

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

Forston Clinic

Herrison Rd

Dorchester

DT2 9TB


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Forston Clinic

Herrison Rd

Dorchester

DT2 9TB


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Team Leader

Nic Thomson

nicola.thomson5@nhs.net

07342700062

Details

Date posted

16 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M422.25

Job locations

Forston Clinic

Herrison Rd

Dorchester

DT2 9TB


Supporting documents

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