Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Consultant Psychologist Child & Family Mental Health - Early Help Lead
The closing date is 21 May 2026
We are seeking an outstanding Consultant Psychologist to take up a new senior Clinical Lead role across our Early Help provision, which includes a new Integrated Front Door, Getting Help teams and the existing and expanding MHST provision. The role exists as part of a bold and ambitious THRIVE‑aligned transformation programme for children, young people and families across Dorset.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of early intervention at system level, embedding psychologically informed, needs‑led approaches across universal and targeted services, and strengthening partnership working across health, education, local authority and voluntary sector organisations.
As Clinical Lead, you will provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership across the Child and Family Mental Health Early Help provision. You will play a central role in redesigning pathways, influencing culture and practice, and ensuring child and family mental health services are aligned to THRIVE principles including shared decision‑making, improved access to help, clarity around need and choice, and proportionate responses.
You will work closely with senior leaders, commissioners and partners, contributing to transformation at scale while maintaining clinical credibility and a strong focus on quality, governance and impact. A key element of the role is developing psychological capability across the wider workforce, supporting sustainable change beyond specialist services.
Main duties of the job
- Working closely with the existing clinical, medical and operational leadership team, provide senior clinical leadership and oversight across Early Help services.
- Lead the implementation of the new THRIVE‑aligned service delivery model for Dorset CAMHs and promote the adoption of a preventative clinical model of delivery.
- Influence system‑wide service design and pathway development.
- Strengthen psychologically informed practice across partner organisations.
- Champion prevention, early intervention and population‑based approaches, with specific consideration for health inequalities across the target population.
- Ensure children, young people and families shape service design and delivery.
- Contribute to quality improvement, governance and evaluation.
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.
Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Training
- HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist
- A minimum of 5 years experience as a Practitioner Psychologist
- Significant experience of working in Child and Family Services
- Skills in assessing, planning and evaluating mental health care/treatment interventions
- Experience of having held a senior leadership position for a minimum of 2 years
- Additional training in 2+ accredited therapies e.g. CBT, DBT, EMDR
- Additional qualification in a leadership training e.g. PG Dip
- Accredited with the BABCP
Job Specific Experience
- Minimum of 5 years post professional qualifying clinical experience in the current profession, and working at a senior clinical position (Band 7 and above).
- Experience of engaging in service development activities.
- Evidence of promoting research, evidence‑based practice, clinical excellence and quality approaches to support outcome‑focussed care.
- Experience in facilitating learning within clinical practice.
- Experience of working with a range of statutory and non‑statutory agencies.
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
- Ability to administer and interpret a range of evidence based/standardised assessment tools.
- Ability to analyse complex information to solve problems and draw conclusions.
- Imagination, determination and a questioning attitude.
- Ability to assimilate new concepts and approaches to care.
Managerial / Supervisory Experience
- Evidence of leading effectively at a senior level in a multi‑disciplinary health and social care setting (mental health).
- Experience of managing, supervising and supporting teams.
- Previous experience of the full range of line management responsibilities, including attendance management, discipline and grievance, management of recruitment & selection, personal and career development.
Information Technology / Resources
- Use multimedia materials for presentations in professional, academic and public settings.
- Ability to use the internet, email and basic word‑processing skills.
- Teaching and presentation skills.
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.
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
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