Family and Systemic Psychotherapist

Job overview

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Family and Systemic Psychotherapist (Band 7) to join our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Bournemouth and Christchurch. This is a senior clinical role within a multi‑disciplinary team, providing specialist systemic assessments and therapeutic interventions to children, young people and their families presenting with moderate to complex mental health difficulties.

The post holder will work autonomously within professional and organisational frameworks, offering high‑quality, evidence‑based family therapy, contributing to service development, and providing consultation, supervision and leadership to colleagues across CAMHS and partner agencies. This role offers the opportunity to influence clinical practice, support workforce development and contribute to improving outcomes for children and families across Dorset.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will deliver specialist systemic and family therapy assessments and interventions for children, young people and their families referred to Core CAMHS, working across a range of settings and cultures. They will formulate, risk‑assess and manage complex presentations, including safeguarding concerns, and develop time‑limited, evidence‑based care plans that are regularly reviewed. The role includes acting as a key worker where appropriate, chairing and contributing to multi‑agency meetings, maintaining high‑quality clinical records, and supporting outcome monitoring and audit activity.

In addition, the post holder will provide clinical leadership through consultation, supervision and line management of colleagues, contribute to service development and quality improvement, and represent Dorset HealthCare in strategic and partnership forums. They will actively promote collaborative working with education, social care and health partners, support the delivery of national and local performance standards, and uphold professional, ethical and governance requirements in line with Trust policies and values.

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.

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 [email protected]