Principal Psychologist | Integrated Front Door Clinical Lead

Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 23 July 2026

Are you an experienced Clinical Psychologist ready to lead transformational change in Children and Young People's Mental Health Services?

Dorset CAMHS is seeking an exceptional Principal Psychologist for our Integrated Front Door (IFD) Team to provide professional, clinical and strategic leadership within our Pan Dorset service. This role combines clinical expertise, operational leadership, workforce development and service innovation, enabling children, young people and families to access mental health support through a needs-led, THRIVE‑model assessment.

• Provide expert psychological leadership, consultation and supervision to multidisciplinary colleagues, supporting evidence‑based practice and a psychologically informed culture across the system.
• Develop and lead service delivery, driving continuous improvement and ensuring equitable access for children and young people.
• Foster multi‑agency partnerships across health, social care, education, voluntary and community sectors to create a seamless experience for families.
• Advise the CAMHS Head of Service, Deputy Head of Service and senior operational colleagues on strategic priorities and operational events.
• Champion system‑wide change and innovation, influencing policy and practice across Dorset.

• Minimum five years of post‑qualification experience as a qualified Clinical Psychologist, with significant work in children, young people and/or family mental health.
• Professional leadership experience of qualified and pre‑qualified clinical psychologists.
• Evidence of working in preventive and/or early help services for CYPF.
• Experience working across partner agencies, specifically local authority and education partners.

• Demonstrated ability to articulate and interpret the role of the profession of clinical psychology in line with government and national professional policy frameworks.

• Post‑graduate doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) accredited by the British Psychological Society, including specific models of psychopathology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
• Post‑doctoral accreditation in one or more additional specialised models of psychological therapy (e.g., CBT, CAT, DBT).
• Skills in using complex and highly specialist methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management requiring sustained concentration.
• Awareness of the THRIVE framework and the ability to apply a THRIVE‑informed approach.
• Skills in developing plans and structures to facilitate the flexible undertaking of complex activities across service and agencies.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to ensure there are no 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 may present a valid DBS certificate in place of a new check.

Dorset Health Care University NHS Foundation Trust