Systemic Family Psychotherapist

Job Summary

We're seeking a dedicated Family Therapist to work in our high‑intensity environment, providing exceptional care to young people aged between 13 and 18 experiencing acute mental health difficulties. This brand new, high‑specification unit has been designed in close collaboration with young people, families and clinicians to provide a safe and therapeutic environment to those that need our support. Our aim is to provide outstanding care, promoting recovery and wellbeing in a modern, purpose‑built setting to make a difference and have a positive change on the lives of young people.

As the Systemic Family Psychotherapist, you will use highly developed communication skills in working with families to facilitate understanding of their personal and often very sensitive difficulties within a systemic formulation framework. You will work as a dedicated member of a multi‑disciplinary team to provide systemic assessments and interventions for CYP/adults and their families across the Tier 4 service. You will provide systemic psychotherapeutic programmes of intervention for families experiencing high levels of distress and acute care needs.

The Systemic Family Psychotherapist is a full‑time weekday post, welcoming part‑time applicants of a minimum of 30 hours per week. We are flexible in how hours can be met; this can be discussed further at interview.

• Be an integral part of the wider CAMH service specialist family therapy assessment and intervention team, and participate in service‑wide clinical pathways for systemic interventions (e.g., NVR).
• Provide family therapy consultation and supervision to colleagues in Tier 4 services and the wider system (e.g., social care).
• Provide specialist systemic family interventions. Such programmes may include Non‑Violent Resistance and FFT.
• Develop and use systemic family plans, utilising theory, knowledge and practice based on a conceptual framework and evidence‑based practice.
• Make highly skilled evaluations and decisions about treatment options, taking into account highly complex relationship factors.

• UKCP registration.
• Previous experience as a systemic family psychotherapist.
• Skills in the use of complex methods of systemic assessment and treatment.
• Ability to motivate and lead.
• Ability to work with complex and distressing situations.

• Training in an additional evidence‑based systemic intervention.

• Date posted: 29 December 2025
• Pay scheme:
  Agenda for change
• Band: 8a
• Salary:
  Depending on experience
• Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Working pattern:
  Full‑time (flexible part‑time available)
• Reference number: 152‑M440.25
• Job location:
  
  Seastone Ward, Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH4 8EP

Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust
Seastone Ward, Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH4 8EP
Website:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.