Activity Co-ordinator

Activity Coordinator

The closing date is 03 March 2026

We are seeking to recruit a full‑time 9‑month secondment Activity Coordinator to work as part of a multidisciplinary team on Twynham LSU. We are a 12‑male bed low secure unit based at St Ann’s Hospital in Poole offering services to people suffering from enduring mental illness.

The role will involve working closely alongside the Occupational Therapy team, Nursing Staff and Psychologists to support the development and maintenance of structure and routine in inpatient care and treatment. The focus is to support the discharge pathway of each inpatient through a structured ward activity programme and linking with external agencies.

You will join a well‑established multidisciplinary team that provides assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for patients with mental disorder and associated offending behaviour, while being committed to clinical excellence and the provision of high‑quality evidence‑based intervention.

This is a fixed‑term role and for those with current NHS service, it will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Driving is essential for this role. You will be required to have a full and valid UK driving licence and to travel using your own vehicle on Trust business.

The successful applicant will support the inpatient multidisciplinary team on Twynham Ward in organising, coordinating and, where needed, delivering a wide range of client‑focused groups.

The role requires flexibility and approachability. Effective communication skills, time management and organisational skills are essential, as is the ability to work well with all members of the multidisciplinary team. The successful applicant will be required to drive to work‑related appointments and transport patients to support their recovery and rehabilitation.

The Trust is committed to developing staff through training and supervision and offers a range of developmental training opportunities for all staff.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

At Dorset Health Care we are on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined‑up healthcare services. We are 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.

Our CQC rating of ‘Outstanding’ in 2019 reflects our high standards, and 95 % of patients report a good or very good experience of our services.

With a workforce of 7,000, we are building a workplace for the future, championing equality, diversity and inclusion.

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.

• Experience of working with mentally disordered offenders/patients in secure environments.
• Good communication skills – written, electronic and verbal.
• NVQ Level 3 qualification or equivalent.
• Positive interpersonal skills and a high level of self‑awareness.

• Knowledge of the physiology and function of the human body and how this informs clinical reasoning.

• Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training.

• Knowledge and experience of running therapeutic group both individually and with clients, and in group settings.

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

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 can present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course, and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust