Job summary
In line with the government's priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, there are new recruit to train positions within the children's mental health services; Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) roles.
These posts are held within the Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams (MHST). For further information, please use the link below;
Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
EMHPs within these teams provide low intensity interventions based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and guided self-help. Trainee EMHPs are taught these interventions while also learning more about the MHST programme and children and young peoples' mental health.
Advertised EMHP training roles will be within MHST based in Dartford, Dartford outskirts, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and surrounding locality, based in Kent and Medway.
Applicants need to be ready to start work on 1st September 2025 and posts cannot be offered to candidates unless they can guarantee this start date.
All candidates will need to undertake an initial application process with NELFT. If successful in this first stage, then candidates will need to apply to the University of Sussex EMHP training programme before the job offer is made.
Please use the link below for course information/entry requirements and the University of Sussex portal:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/psychology/internal/coursesandmodules/pgcourses/2025/C8527T
Main duties of the job
Throughout the training year and under clinical supervision, you will develop knowledge and practice skills to employ a range of evidence-based interventions for mental health difficulties. This is delivered via direct individual and group support for children, young people and their families, in line with NHS and University expectations. The NHS team uses a blend of face-to-face interventions along with online/digital support as part of what is offered (e.g. support via video and telephone calls). As an NHS employee you will record your outcomes and contribute to the growing national dataset of what works and helps to support children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health.
During the training year, the role will have both academic and practical elements. These will include face-to-face work in different settings across Kent and Medway, which can include schools and other settings accessed by young people.
Candidates will need to travel between school sites/clinical sites as well as to the University of Sussex in order to undertake the university course and practical elements of the job role (business travel will be reimbursed).
On successful completion of training, Trainee EMHPs will be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and capabilities to work as qualified EMHP as autonomous and responsible practitioners within their scope of practice, alongside their clinical team (MHSTs).
About us
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff). The first contract received is a fixed term training contract that will support the candidate to completion of the course. On successful completion of the course the candidate will be offered without interview a permanent position within their locality.
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process, new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex (please be aware of the need to utilise the Dartford crossing and of ULEZ charges). Candidates require business insurance when travelling by car to claim both travel and the above charges via expenses.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Successful candidates will be offered a post-graduate educational programme specifically for the EMHP role delivered by the University of Sussex. The roles are funded at NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) bottom of Band 4, gaining credits towards a post-graduate diploma level qualification, plus guaranteed employment on successful completion of training, with a starting salary of the NHS AfC Band 5 scale with NELFT (please see both Band 4 and Band 5 Job Descriptions attached).
EMPHs are required to become registered practitioners upon qualification. There are two registering bodies: the British Psychological Society (BPS) and theBritish Association for Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). These registrations do require membership and registration fees. Please discuss this during your training year.
The trainee EMHPs are funded by NHS England (formerly HEE). More details about the funding of these courses can be explained at the interview. Candidates are not expected to pay their university fees; these posts are recruit-to-train posts, so candidates will undertake their postgraduate EMHP course alongside employment with NELFT as EMHP trainees.
The university programme, which will begin in September 2025 and last 12 months, will be delivered through a combination of taught days, experience gained in education, wellbeing and mainstream mental health services, and independent self-guided study days. You will work with a variety of different age groups and families across the diverse population of Kent and Medway.
As a trainee EMHP in NELFT, you will work under clinical supervision as part of a dynamic NHS mental health team in a creative environment. Evidence-based interventions, new ideas, and ways of working and supporting children and young people are actively encouraged. This modern approach requires flexibility, adaptability, and a passion for working with children and young people, specifically in educational settings.
The training year includes both University learning and placement hours in school, predominantly in term time. Therefore, we ask staff to use 80% of their annual leave in school holiday periods to prevent disruption to service delivery and the completion of the University Training Programme.
Key Responsibilities under supervision while Training:
- Delivering evidence-based intervention for children and young people in education settings with mild to moderate mental health problems
- Helping children and young people within these settings who present with more severe problems to rapidly access more specialist services
- Supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify and, where appropriate, manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing
- Working with and within education environments to afford better access to specialist mental health services
You will be joining an existing and growing team of EMHPs in NELFT who already work across other parts Kent and Medway these staff will also offer support in your training year as buddies. This additional support has been well received by previous trainees.
Closing date and Interviews for applications
See Advert (applications will close early if there is a high number of applicants).
Interviews will commence the week beginning 26th May 2025 and will span 2 weeks.
We look forward to your application and working with you as a Trainee EMHP with NELFT in the named geographical areas.
Candidates with a full driving licence and access to a vehicle/able to effectively travel across the required geographical area is desirable.
Use of AI
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Successful candidates will be offered a post-graduate educational programme specifically for the EMHP role delivered by the University of Sussex. The roles are funded at NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) bottom of Band 4, gaining credits towards a post-graduate diploma level qualification, plus guaranteed employment on successful completion of training, with a starting salary of the NHS AfC Band 5 scale with NELFT (please see both Band 4 and Band 5 Job Descriptions attached).
EMPHs are required to become registered practitioners upon qualification. There are two registering bodies: the British Psychological Society (BPS) and theBritish Association for Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). These registrations do require membership and registration fees. Please discuss this during your training year.
The trainee EMHPs are funded by NHS England (formerly HEE). More details about the funding of these courses can be explained at the interview. Candidates are not expected to pay their university fees; these posts are recruit-to-train posts, so candidates will undertake their postgraduate EMHP course alongside employment with NELFT as EMHP trainees.
The university programme, which will begin in September 2025 and last 12 months, will be delivered through a combination of taught days, experience gained in education, wellbeing and mainstream mental health services, and independent self-guided study days. You will work with a variety of different age groups and families across the diverse population of Kent and Medway.
As a trainee EMHP in NELFT, you will work under clinical supervision as part of a dynamic NHS mental health team in a creative environment. Evidence-based interventions, new ideas, and ways of working and supporting children and young people are actively encouraged. This modern approach requires flexibility, adaptability, and a passion for working with children and young people, specifically in educational settings.
The training year includes both University learning and placement hours in school, predominantly in term time. Therefore, we ask staff to use 80% of their annual leave in school holiday periods to prevent disruption to service delivery and the completion of the University Training Programme.
Key Responsibilities under supervision while Training:
- Delivering evidence-based intervention for children and young people in education settings with mild to moderate mental health problems
- Helping children and young people within these settings who present with more severe problems to rapidly access more specialist services
- Supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify and, where appropriate, manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing
- Working with and within education environments to afford better access to specialist mental health services
You will be joining an existing and growing team of EMHPs in NELFT who already work across other parts Kent and Medway these staff will also offer support in your training year as buddies. This additional support has been well received by previous trainees.
Closing date and Interviews for applications
See Advert (applications will close early if there is a high number of applicants).
Interviews will commence the week beginning 26th May 2025 and will span 2 weeks.
We look forward to your application and working with you as a Trainee EMHP with NELFT in the named geographical areas.
Candidates with a full driving licence and access to a vehicle/able to effectively travel across the required geographical area is desirable.
Use of AI
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- Degree Qualification
- Worked with children
Desirable
- Child development qualification
- Relevant mental health experience
- 18 months plus experience of paid employment working with children
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- oKnowledge of the educational system in England
- oKnowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health.
Desirable
- Has worked within an Education Setting or Mental Health Setting.
- Local knowledge of Kent and Medway demonstrated
Attitude/other
Essential
- Commitment to the training course and working within children's mental health services
Desirable
- Holds a full driving licence and has access to a vehicle/able to effectively travel across the required geographical area
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- Degree Qualification
- Worked with children
Desirable
- Child development qualification
- Relevant mental health experience
- 18 months plus experience of paid employment working with children
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- oKnowledge of the educational system in England
- oKnowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health.
Desirable
- Has worked within an Education Setting or Mental Health Setting.
- Local knowledge of Kent and Medway demonstrated
Attitude/other
Essential
- Commitment to the training course and working within children's mental health services
Desirable
- Holds a full driving licence and has access to a vehicle/able to effectively travel across the required geographical area
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address
Dartford, Dartford Outskirts, Sevenoaks , Maidstone and surrounding Locality region
1 Twistleton Court
Dartford
DA1 2EN
Employer's website
https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
