SPOA Mental Health Practitioner

Overview

Access to Wellbeing Single Point of Access Mental Health service have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Community Mental Health Practitioner to join the newly formed team. To work as a qualified practitioner in the Access Wellbeing Single Point of Access which provides a referral and access point for professionals into Access Wellbeing.

• Provide specialist screening and triage via a telephone service, as part of the wider multidisciplinary care team.
• Complete face-to-face urgent mental health assessments as required.
• Provide specialist advice to others in relation to referrals and potential treatment pathways or interventions.
• Provide supervision, mentorship, training and clinical support to other professionals and the VCSE Sector as required.
• Provide a high-quality person-centred approach to care delivery which always considers people’s safety, privacy and dignity.
• Screening, assessing and providing specialist mental health care through the SPOA, including telephone-based and occasional face-to-face assessments, risk management, signposting, and autonomous clinical decision-making.
• Maintain advanced, evidence-based clinical expertise and engage in quality improvement through audits, evaluation and complaint handling.
• Demonstrate leadership by modelling Trust values, supporting change, and contributing to service development; provide guidance, supervision and training to junior staff; promote effective multidisciplinary teamwork; maintain high standards of documentation and data reporting.
• Efficient use of resources, participation in audits and research activity, contribute to policy development, and uphold professional codes of practice.
• Manage environmental demands including prolonged desk-based work, sustained concentration, exposure to distressing information, and expert judgement in acute situations.

Please note that the post will not be based at Kings Park Hospital. The role will be located at the designated Single Point of Access (SPOA) site, which will be confirmed in due course.

• Current skilled worker sponsorship:
  Applications from candidates requiring sponsorship to work in the UK are ineligible to apply.
• Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check; the Trust will cover the cost. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service may present a valid DBS certificate instead of a new check.
• UK Registration:
  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for details.
• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard that enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.

At Dorset Health Care we empower people to make the most of their lives through outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic Trust, operating 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for almost 800,000 people. We’re committed to equal opportunities and celebrating diversity.

• Date posted: 15 January 2026
• Pay:
  Agenda for change, Band 6 (£38,682 to £46,580 p.a.)
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Full-time
• Reference number: 152-M449.25

King’s Park Hospital, Gloucester Road, Bournemouth, BH7 6JF

For the main duties and responsibilities, please read the attached job description and person specification and ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents.

Essential knowledge, skills and training include:
Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level with post-registration specialist training or equivalent experience; ability to evaluate care and contribute to service improvement; commitment to ongoing professional development;
Learning and Assessing in Practice qualification or equivalent training; willingness to advance clinical knowledge base.

Experience:

Mental health experience with adults; demonstrated knowledge of assessment and therapeutic interventions in the area of specialism.

Personal qualities:
Effective communication at all levels, ability to convey highly complex information, and negotiate or persuade as required.

Additional requirements:

Demonstrable English language skills to perform the role effectively.

Other notes:
Any further required statements and safeguarding disclosures are as per standard NHS policy.