Consultant Psychologist Child & Family Mental Health - Early Help Lead

A Vacancy at Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

We are seeking an outstandingConsultant Psychologistto take up a new seniorClinical Leadrole 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.

• 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 promoting 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.

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.

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 candidate’s 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

This advert closes on Thursday 21 May 2026