Join Dorset CAMHS and be part of our exciting transformation. Explore our current vacancies and find a role where you can make a real difference to children, young people and families across Dorset.
"From Band 5 Nurse to Specialist Clinical Practitioner, Dorset HealthCare has provided the encouragement, opportunities and confidence to progress my career while continuing to make a meaningful difference to the people we support."
I began my career in healthcare in 1990, working as a support worker in residential and respite services for adults and children with learning disabilities. After relocating to Dorset, I qualified as a Registered Learning Disability Nurse at Bournemouth University and joined Dorset HealthCare as a Band 5 Nurse in 1999.
One of the things I've valued most about working at Dorset HealthCare is the commitment to staff development. Throughout my career, I've been supported to undertake additional training and qualifications, including diploma-level study in the Applied Psychology of Learning Disability and Challenging Behaviour, an MA in Art Psychotherapy, and qualification as a Non-Medical Prescriber.
Now, as a Band 7 Specialist Clinical Practitioner, I'm excited to be part of a growing team and contribute to the development of new services and pathways for children and young people across Dorset.
Dorset CAMHS is transforming
We’re transforming our service with one clear ambition: to offer timely, high‑quality, person‑centred support across our communities.
We are creating a service that:
Puts children, young people and families at the centre
Strengthens early, community‑based help
Removes barriers and simplifies pathways
Connects NHS, education, social care and voluntary partners
Supports and develops a skilled, motivated workforce
About Dorset CAMHS
CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Dorset CAMHS provides specialist mental health support for children and young people aged 0–18 who are experiencing emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.
In Dorset, we are reshaping how children and young people access mental health support — building a more connected, responsive and accessible CAMHS.
Guided by the THRIVE Framework, our transformation focuses on needs‑led, evidence‑based care delivered in ways that truly work for children, young people and families in the community.
A needs‑led THRIVE Framework approach means children and young people can move between five needs‑based groupings depending on how their needs change over time:
Thriving
Getting Advice
Getting Help
Getting More Help
Getting Risk Support
The focus is always: “What does this child, young person or family need right now?”
Be part of the transformation
Working with Dorset CAMHS during this period of change means being part of a compassionate, forward‑thinking service. Here, you can:
Shape new ways of working and influence real change
Work in supportive multidisciplinary teams
Access excellent training, supervision and development
Bring ideas, creativity and innovation
Make a visible difference to the lives of children and families
Roles we’ll be recruiting to
We’re growing our teams across Dorset, with opportunities for:
Mental health practitioners
Clinical and assistant psychologists
Nurses, occupational therapists and social workers
Family therapists
Psychiatrists
Outreach workers
Team leaders and pathway leads
Future development roles
Administrative, coordination and service improvement roles
If you are passionate about early intervention, trauma‑informed care or system‑wide collaboration, there is a place for you here.
A message from Helen Duncan‑Jordan, Head of Children’s Services
“This is an exciting moment for Dorset CAMHS as we transform how children and young people access mental health support in our communities. We’re building a service that is compassionate, collaborative and genuinely centred around families’ needs. We’re looking for people who share our values, our ambition and our commitment to making a meaningful difference for families in Dorset. I’m incredibly proud of this journey — and I hope you’ll consider joining us.”
Please check back regularly, as new opportunities are added often.
If you would like to learn more about working at Dorset HealthCare, we would love to hear from you. Whether you are interested in an informal chat, a team visit, or simply finding out more about life and career opportunities with us, we are always happy to talk.
Don’t see a role that feels right just yet? That’s okay — new roles are added regularly.
Get in touch to register your interest or explore your options:
dhc.careers@nhs.net.
