Rachel Small (Interim Chief Operating Officer)

Rachel was appointed as Interim Chief Operating Officer in July 2024.

Rachel has over 15 years of experience working in the health and social care system in Dorset and has led a wide range of mental health and community services including primary care, social care, community care, specialist and tertiary services, working alongside numerous commissioning bodies.

In her substantive role as Service Director, Rachel is responsible for all age mental health and learning disabilities services in Dorset HealthCare, as well as services for children, young people and families. Her portfolio covers over 200 teams with around 3000 staff.

Rachel is passionate about bringing lived experience into service delivery and enabling professionals and people using services to recognise the contribution peer specialists can offer. Her other professional passion is in advocating for gender equality, and she was a founding member and co-chair of Dorset HealthCare’s Women’s Network.

She is a chartered manager with the Chartered Management Institute and active in local voluntary work.