Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Community Nurse

The closing date is 23 April 2026

Job summary

Are you an enthusiastic, forward thinking Nurse who can adapt to changing priorities and deliver high quality nursing care to meet LD health needs? Are you passionate about person-centred care and working in partnership to support people to live their best lives at home, at work, and in their communities? Then this Community Learning Disability Nursing Band 6 position, in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Adult Learning Disability Service sounds like the right opportunity for you!

As an integrated health and social care team, this is an exciting opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary and multi-agency team. You will be based in our Bournemouth office, near Ensbury Park, although the majority of the workload will be in community settings across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP). The clients on your caseload will all have a Learning Disability (LD) and may include those with multiple disabilities, complex health needs, communication difficulties, and behaviours that challenge. We are able to offer full induction, regular supervision, and ongoing in service training to support you to develop skills in each of these areas.

This is an excellent opportunity to practice within the challenging yet rewarding field of community learning disability nursing.

Main duties of the job

You will be able to demonstrate commitment to working proactively and in partnership with people with learning disabilities and their caregivers, and support them to live successfully in the community. This role requires you to maintain effective links with mainstream services, and to work in partnership with NHS Dorset to support equal access. You will be committed to improving outcomes for our service users and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, in order to support and empower people with a Learning disability.

The team use their specialist clinical skills and experience to assess, plan care, offer treatment and review, working closely alongside colleagues from other disciplines, external care providers as well as the individual and their families.

Clinical documentation is in electronic form and training is given to all new staff.

Working hours are Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm. The office base is at Hillcrest (Ensbury Park, Bournemouth) with an expectation that working from base is evident at least 2 days per week and flexi-options are available for the rest of the week.

Being able to drive a car and having access to one for business purposes is also essential

Although advertised at band 6 we would also accept applications from band 5 nurses and we can offer a developmental programme to band 6. .

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.

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

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year p.a., pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

152-M627.25

Job locations

Hillcrest

31 Slades Farm Road

Bournemouth

BH10 4EU


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.

If you are interested in moving to Dorset we also offer a generous relocation package of up to £10,000. For further details on relocation expenses please email dhc.careers@nhs.net

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.

If you are interested in moving to Dorset we also offer a generous relocation package of up to £10,000. For further details on relocation expenses please email dhc.careers@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • Registered Nurse RNLD/RMN/RGN
  • ENB 998/Learning and assessing in clinical practice or equivalent teaching/mentoring qualification

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Experience at working at level band 5
  • Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, MAPPA and CPA.
  • Knowledge of Child Protection Adult Safeguarding
  • Ability to assess, develop, plan and evaluate programmes of care.

Managerial/supervisory experience

Essential

  • Working knowledge of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
  • Experience of supervision and mentoring of other staff including student

Information Technology

Essential

  • Basic IT skills

Teamwork

Essential

  • Demonstrates positive teamwork skills

Role Specific

Essential

  • Shows desire to work with people with LD
Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • Registered Nurse RNLD/RMN/RGN
  • ENB 998/Learning and assessing in clinical practice or equivalent teaching/mentoring qualification

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Experience at working at level band 5
  • Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983, MAPPA and CPA.
  • Knowledge of Child Protection Adult Safeguarding
  • Ability to assess, develop, plan and evaluate programmes of care.

Managerial/supervisory experience

Essential

  • Working knowledge of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
  • Experience of supervision and mentoring of other staff including student

Information Technology

Essential

  • Basic IT skills

Teamwork

Essential

  • Demonstrates positive teamwork skills

Role Specific

Essential

  • Shows desire to work with people with LD

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

Hillcrest

31 Slades Farm Road

Bournemouth

BH10 4EU


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

Hillcrest

31 Slades Farm Road

Bournemouth

BH10 4EU


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:

Clinical Lead

Ginny Boniface

ginny.boniface@nhs.net

07500073292

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year p.a., pro rata for part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

152-M627.25

Job locations

Hillcrest

31 Slades Farm Road

Bournemouth

BH10 4EU


Supporting documents

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