Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner

Role overview

This is an opportunity for a caring, motivated person to join a Mental Health Support Team as a Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner. The position focuses on early help for children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing within school settings.

The appointment is a full-time, one-year training pathway that leads to qualification as an EMHP. Training is fully funded and includes a Postgraduate Diploma at University College London, combining academic learning with supervised clinical experience. The EMHP profession delivers evidence-based early intervention within Mental Health Support Teams.

The role is based in Mid Essex and supports schools in Braintree, Chelmsford, and Maldon. You will work in a established team with supervision, mentoring, and peer support.

What the role involves

During training, the post holder will contribute across clinical work, academic study, teamwork, and administration.

• Support assessment and management of a child and young person caseload under supervision.
• Deliver low-intensity interventions such as guided self-help, groups, and workshops.
• Work with children and young people, families, and school staff to agree care plans and outcomes.
• Complete risk assessments and follow safeguarding processes.
• Promote inclusive practice that avoids discrimination.
• Complete all academic elements of the Postgraduate Diploma.
• Take part in teaching, self-directed learning, supervised placements, and reflective practice.
• Contribute to audits, service improvement, and wider team development.
• Share learning through supervision, peer support, and training activity.
• Keep records accurate, secure, and confidential.
• Communicate effectively with children, families, and professionals using appropriate methods.
• Help manage caseloads and develop clinical resources.
• Deliver 1:1 and group interventions under supervision.
• Run workshops, assemblies, and training for children, parents, and education staff.
• Apply academic learning directly to clinical practice.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary and education teams.
• Support equitable, inclusive care across services.

Training and course details

Successful applicants will enter a full-time education programme linked to the role. Course fees are fully funded, and employees will sign a training contract. During training, pay support is aligned to NHS Agenda for Change Band 4.

On successful completion of the programme, the role is expected to progress to a Band 5 salary level. Employment during the training year will be with NELFT in educational settings across Essex.

Because the work is school-based, you must be able to travel independently to school sites and to university. Teaching is delivered across the full calendar year, with some intensive blocks early in the course. The training provider is UCL and The Anna Freud Centre, and full attendance is mandatory. Travel to UCL is expected during the first year.

Contract and funding conditions

These posts are 18-month fixed-term training contracts. NELFT requires staff receiving funded training support to sign a training agreement. If you leave to take up a non-NHS role, you may be required to repay the course costs to the Trust.

Post-qualification role

After qualifying, the successful candidate will need to apply for professional registration with either the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or the British Psychological Society (BPS) in order to work as a Band 5 EMHP.

In the qualified role, the practitioner works more independently to support children and young people with mild to moderate mental health needs. Duties include conducting assessments, delivering interventions, promoting wellbeing in schools and the community, escalating concerns and making referrals where needed, contributing to clinical governance and multidisciplinary working, and supporting trainees and whole-school mental health approaches.

Joining the Trust

New starters join on the first Monday of each month and complete an induction of up to two weeks. This includes mandatory training, systems training, equipment allocation, and opportunities to meet senior leaders and attend wellbeing and engagement drop-in sessions. Induction takes place at the head office in Goodmayes, Essex.

Additional conditions

The role is subject to a probationary period, although internal applicants are exempt unless they are already part way through probation or are bank staff.

About the employer

NELFT provides community and mental healthcare services for adults and children across North East London and Essex. The Trust describes itself as supportive and welcoming, with a focus on staff development, equality, diversity, and wellbeing. It is rated CQC Good and is working towards an Outstanding rating. The organisation also highlights Disability Confident Leader status, recognition as a Working Families Top 10 Employer for five consecutive years, and Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation.