Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Lead
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- 6 months (Fixed term for 6 months)
- Hours
- Part time - 22.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 152-M275.25
- Employer
- Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Blandford Hospital
- Town
- Blandford
- Salary
- £33,414 - £37,609 p.a.
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Clinical Lead for MHST - fixed term to support expansion
Band 8a
Job overview
Dorset CAMHS is recruiting a Lead Clinician for a fixed term period of 6 months to support the expansion of the Mental Health in Schools Support Team based in North & East Dorset.
The Mental Health Support Teams are part of an exciting trailblazer project funded by NHS England, Health Education England and partners, with the aim of improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in the community. There is a specific focus on developing more access to helping and improving the general culture of emotional support within all primary and secondary schools including special educational provisions and Pupil Referral Units.
We are looking for a confident professional with a demonstrable track record of providing quality evidenced based interventions. You will have significant experience of supervising clinicians and be able to evidence operational leadership skills and abilities. There will be opportunities to carry a small caseload where you would provide comprehensive assessments, risk management and interventions for young people experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties.
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.
Main duties of the job
Working alongside community partners the three Mental Health Support Teams in Dorset are fully integrated with community CAMHS and educational settings.
You will help to oversee the delivery of clinical work within the project, ensuring that a wide range of evidence based interventions are used to support young people’s mental health.
You will provide clinical supervision and leadership to more junior colleagues and will be involved with developing clinical operational processes for the delivery of clinical interventions in schools.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main 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.
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
Professional Qualification & Registration
Essential criteria
- Qualified mental health professional (e.g., Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Nurse, CBT Therapist, Social Worker).
- Current professional registration (e.g., HCPC, NMC, BABCP, SWE).
Experience with Children and Young People (CYP)
Essential criteria
- Minimum 3 years of experience delivering mental health interventions to children and young people.
- Experience working in or with educational settings
Skills / Abilities / Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Demonstrated leadership experience (e.g., leading a team, managing service delivery).
- Experience supervising junior staff or trainees (e.g., EMHPs, CBT trainees)
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication, particularly with non-clinical professionals (e.g., teachers, parents)
Clinical Competence
Essential criteria
- Strong assessment, formulation, and intervention skills (e.g., CBT, systemic approaches).
- Risk assessment and safeguarding experience
Multi-agency Working
Essential criteria
- Experience collaborating with schools, CAMHS, social care, and voluntary sector partners.
Service Development and Quality Improvement
Essential criteria
- Experience in service improvement, audits, or implementing new ways of working
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Natalie Scott
- Job title
- Deputy Head of service - CAMHS Dorset
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07990 773844
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