About this role
Job summary
Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.
As part of the transformation of the Hertfordshire Children and Young People (CYP) Mental Health Service, our priority is to improve access to mental health and wellbeing support through the implementation of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs).
In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, we are recruiting 4 Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) to join the HPFT MHST in Watford, South Hertfordshire.
Working under supervision within a dynamic mental health team, you will deliver low-intensity, evidence-based CBT interventions while completing university-based training alongside clinical practice.
Training is provided by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and will require travel to Norwich. Course information: https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/postgraduate/pdip-educational-mental-health-practitioner
This is an NHS England-funded training post. To be eligible, applicants must not have undertaken another NHS England-funded training position within the previous two years.
The role is appointed at Band 4, with progression to Band 5 on successful completion of the training programme, placement requirements and professional registration.
Successful applicants must be available to commence employment on Monday 4 January 2027.
Main duties of the job
The Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner will:
Study alongside other trainee EMHPs at the University of East Anglia. Be expected to attend 100% of university teaching days and successfully complete all components of the university training programme. Work closely alongside a team of mental health professionals including qualified EMHPs, Children's Wellbeing Practitioners, Senior Practitioners, Senior Wellbeing Practitioners and a Team Leader. Work with children and young people with mild to moderate mental health presentations, who attend a South Hertfordshire MHST school. Develop and practice evidence-based skills under supervision to work directly with children, young people and families. Develop and practice evidence-based skills under supervision to carry out holistic and child-centred mental health assessments, including risk assessments. Under supervision, develop, practice and deliver low intensity evidence based interventions. Support the wellbeing and mental health needs identified by schools and colleges. Provide support to children and young people attending schools and colleges in Watford and surrounding areas in South Hertfordshire. Please note that this role requires frequent travel and therefore you need a full valid driving license, access to a car and Business Car Insurance; unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country.
Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services.
The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Our Trust values are:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job description Job responsibilities
Over the course of the training year, the post-holder will work under supervision as part of a dynamic mental health team where low-intensity CBT evidence-based interventions, new ideas and ways of working with children and young people are actively encouraged. This approach requires flexibility, dynamism and above all a passion for working with children, young people and their parents and carers in educational settings.
The post holder will:
Develop their knowledge and practice skills to deliver a range of low intensity CBT, evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Provide both direct individual and group support for children, young people and their parents/carers, in line with the university expectations. Support the mental health lead in each education setting to introduce or develop their whole school or college approach for mental health and emotional wellbeing. Give timely advice to school and college staff, and liaise with external specialist services, to help children and young people get to the right support and stay in education. The post holder will also be expected to:
Complete comprehensive assessments of the emotional wellbeing and mental health needs of children and young people. Work with parents/carers when delivering parent-led interventions. Provide whole school approach support to large groups of children and young people, education staff and parents/carers. Actively participate in case management and clinical skills supervision. This includes taking part in roles plays, recording and reviewing sessions in supervision and implementing advice provided by the supervisor. This post is designed to open up a new and exciting opportunity for a career in children and young peoples mental health in schools.
Please note: Continued employment in this post is conditional on the successful completion of the course.
University training programme: Successful candidates will be expected to travel to the University of East Anglia for in person teaching in addition to remote teaching which can be accessed from home or your work base. 100% attendance at university is required. When not in university, you will be in service on school sites or at your office base.
Please note: There are two routes of study, postgraduate (Level 7) or graduate (level 6).
Postgraduate (Level 7): Evidence of academic attainment at degree level or above is required.
Graduate (Level 6): Applicants for the Graduate Diploma will need to demonstrate their ability to work at degree level and should provide evidence in their application of their previous academic attainment; this should include good basic numeracy and literacy qualifications at a minimum of level 2. Successful applicants to the graduate route will be offered access to additional support throughout their training to ensure that they are able to meet the academic requirements of the course.
https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/postgraduate/pdip-educational-mental-health-practitioner
If you think you can make a difference to children and young people - join the HPFT Mental Health Support Team today!
Successful applicants need to be available to start this role on Monday 4th January 2027. University teaching begins on Tuesday 12th January 2027.
Planned interview dates:week commencing 12th October 2026
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING Essential
Postgraduate route (level 7) Evidence of academic attainment at degree level or above. OR Graduate route (level 6): Evidence of ability to study at degree level and evidence of previous academic attainment Good solid basic literacy and numeracy qualifications at a minimum of level 2
Desirable
Relevant Honours Degree (e.g. psychology, mental health, sociology, education etc.)
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE Essential
Significant relevant experience working with children and young people in an education or clinical care setting.
Desirable
Experience of working with looked after children or other vulnerable groups of CYP
COMMUNICATION SKILLS Essential
Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to write clear, detailed reports and letters Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
Physical skills Essential
Car driver with a full valid driving license (unless they have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010) which prevents them from driving Able to travel to meet the requirements of the post
Mental effort Essential
Able to manage own caseload and demonstrate good time management and prioritisation skills. Able to work in an environment that is at times extremely busy and demanding.
Emotional effort Essential
Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload
Values/Motivational/Personal Qualities/Diversity Essential
Examples of being kind, welcoming, positive, professional, respectful
Other Essential
Full, enhanced and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role
Skills/Knowledge/Ability Essential
Ability to learn in a variety of settings using a variety of methods Computer literate with the ability to use software like Microsoft Office. Ability to study as a self-motivated learner who can direct their own progress towards learning objectives.
Desirable
Knowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health. Knowledge of the educational system in England
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 Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Peace Children's Centre
Peace Prospect
Watford
WD17 3EW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)