Mental Health Practitioner - Reconnect Service

Overview

The Dorset Integrated Non-Custodial Service has a vacancy for a Mental Health Practitioner in its Reconnect Service. Reconnect is a care‑after‑custody service that aims to increase the access and uptake of community healthcare or relevant support services for individuals with significant health needs upon release from HMP Guys Marsh, Portland and The Verne, and to ensure a safe transition to community‑based healthcare.

We are looking for practitioners who are passionate about developing their clinical skills in an ever‑changing environment, with strong knowledge of assessment and care planning, including comprehensive risk assessment. New ideas and forward‑thinking approaches are encouraged, and we seek someone creative, able to meet unexpected challenges, and self‑motivated to work autonomously.

• Attend prison discharge meetings and carry out comprehensive assessments within the prison and community to identify individual needs.
• Plan and coordinate care for those being released, working closely with prison colleagues (Custody Health Care, Offender Management Unit, Resettlement Team) and a range of health, social and forensic services in the community.
• Identify and assess individuals post‑release or those returning to Dorset from prisons in other counties.
• Support workers, who work with clients for up to 6 months, build trusting therapeutic relationships and encourage engagement with services. Coordinate continuity of care and provide caseload supervision.

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (covered by the Trust).
• Pass the Prison vetting process.
• Experiences of working with individuals with health vulnerabilities and risk, including mental health, learning disability, substance misuse, end‑of‑licence or MAPPA requirements.
• Strong assessment and care‑planning skills.

At Dorset Health Care we empower people to make the most of their lives through outstanding, joined‑up healthcare services. We run 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for almost 800,000 people. Our workforce of 7,000 supports a culture of inclusion, equality and excellence. As a fixed‑term role (secondment for those with current NHS service), this position offers the chance to shape the service and build a rewarding career.

Read the attached job description and person specification. Ensure your supporting statement addresses the criteria set out in these documents. We recognise the utility of AI but encourage authenticity in your application. If we suspect AI has been used to create your supporting statement in its entirety, we may withdraw the application.

Dorset Health Care offers an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support.