Job overview

Are you an established and forward-thinking Specialist Occupational Therapist looking to lead and be part of the Children and Young People Mental Health Service redesign project as the CAMHS Occupational Therapy Lead? CYPMH Dorset is entering an exciting period of growth and development, supported by new investment and a strong commitment to transforming how children and young people access mental health support.

As the CAMHS Occupational Therapy Lead, you will be highly organised and collaborative, you’ll work closely with the Clinical and Operational Leads and Managers to lead service improvement within Children and Family Mental Health as part of the bold CAMH service transformation programme. You will provide strategic and operational leadership for Occupational Therapy within CAMHS, and wider children's services, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑based, and recovery‑focused OT interventions. We want you to be part of the leadership team that shapes and implements our vision to embed the Thrive delivery framework in Dorset.

The CAMHS Occupational Therapy Lead role is a full-time post. We would be flexible and encourage part time applications with a minimum of 30 hours. This role is a Pan-Dorset service wide role. This will be an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge, strengthen your strategic ability and system thinking.

For any queries, please contact [contact hidden] Clinical Lead Dorset CAMHS

Main duties of the job

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

• Act as the professional lead for OT, embedding the occupational perspective across CAMHS pathways, including assessment, formulation, intervention and discharge planning.
• Lead on the development, implementation and evaluation of OT care pathways, ensuring they align with national guidance, NICE standards, and Trust priorities.
• Maintain a small highly complex clinical caseload, providing specialist assessment and intervention, and modelling best practice.
• Recognise that all roles should work toward the improvement of patient care regardless of their direct contact. Whilst there will be an expectation of some direct clinical care, the post holder will be expected to draw on wider clinical experience in supporting others with patient care, sometimes in the context of resolving complaints and concerns.

Working for our organisation

At [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] 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, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] 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 [contact hidden]

Person specification

Knowledge, Skills and Training

Essential criteria

• Registered as an Occupational Therapist
• Relevant full Masters degree or demonstrable extensive equivalent experience in community Rehabilitation
• Evidence of effective Leadership and risk management

Desirable criteria

• Sensory Integration Training

Job Specific Experience

Essential criteria

• Extensive experience of providing OT specific interventions within CYPF Services
• Experience of providing supervision
• Experience of working at strategic level

Job Specific Experience

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate wide knowledge of health policy and its application in practice
• Able to apply and interpret national frameworks for financial service delivery of all improvement.
• Evidence of involvement in policy and practice change

Managerial/Supervisory Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of operational management at Band 7 or above
• Able to undertake clinical supervision and systematic peer caseload review of colleagues on an individual or group basis

Personal Qualities/Attributes

Essential criteria

• Able to communicate effectively at different levels of the organisation in both written form and in small and large groups together with ability to motivate and persuade individuals and teams, particularly in areas of service and performance improvement requiring a collaborative commitment to change and across organisations, external agencies and all sectors of the community to enable effective relationships
• Evidence of skills in diplomacy, negotiation and influencing and the ability to deal appropriately and professionally with challenge.

What working for us will provide

• 27 days of annual leave, rising to 33 over ten years (for staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions)
• Excellent NHS pension scheme
• Health and wellbeing services
• Flexible working options, including family-friendly hours
• Free training and one-to-one career coaching to reach your career goals
• Preceptorship programme for newly qualified nurses and AHPs
• Access to nine staff networks – have a voice and transform our Trust
• Relocation costs where applicable
• Salary sacrifice scheme opportunities – including childcare vouchers, car lease and cycle scheme, home technology equipment, and buying annual leave
• NHS discounts to save on your shopping, gym membership and more

Visit our careers website to learn more about our culture, staff stories, benefits, development programmes and opportunities.

Further details / informal visits contact

Name: Clare Young
Job title: CAMHs Clinical Lead
Email: [contact hidden]
Telephone: [contact hidden]