About this role
Job summary Are you passionate about improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people?
Do you have experience working with children, young people, families, schools or community services and want to develop a career in children's mental health?
We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our expanding Barking & Dagenham Mental Health Support Team (MHST) as Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs).
In line with the NHS Long Term Plan and the national ambition to improve access to mental health support for children and young people, this is an exciting opportunity to undertake a fully funded training programme whilst gaining practical experience within an established and supportive multidisciplinary team.
As a Trainee EMHP, you will work across educational settings and healthcare services to support children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. You will develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to deliver evidence-based early interventions, support emotional wellbeing within schools and colleges, and contribute to improving access to mental health support across Barking & Dagenham.
Successful candidates will undertake the nationally recognised Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) training programme alongside their employment within NELFT's Mental Health Support Team service.
Main duties of the job Deliver evidence-based early interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
Work in partnership with schools, children, young people and families to support the self-management of presenting emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties.
Undertake assessments, contribute to formulations and develop collaborative intervention plans under appropriate supervision.
Deliver guided self-help and other evidence-based interventions on both an individual and group basis.
Support education staff to identify, understand and respond to mental health and wellbeing needs within their settings.
Promote emotional wellbeing and improve access to mental health support across educational settings.
Liaise effectively with health, education, social care and voluntary sector partners to support integrated care and effective pathways.
Identify and appropriately escalate concerns where children and young people require more specialist mental health intervention.
Maintain accurate clinical records, outcome measures and activity data in line with Trust policies and professional standards.
Participate fully in the Education Mental Health Practitioner training programme and associated supervision requirements.
About us
NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex.
We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.
Job description Job responsibilities
The post holder will be a member of the Barking & Dagenham Mental Health Support Team (MHST), working collaboratively with schools, colleges, children, young people and families to improve access to early mental health support and intervention.
Working under appropriate clinical supervision and as part of a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will deliver evidence-based interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. This will include undertaking assessments, contributing to formulations, developing collaborative intervention plans, delivering guided self-help and other low-intensity interventions, and monitoring progress and outcomes.
The post holder will work closely with education settings to promote emotional wellbeing, support the development of whole-school approaches to mental health, and assist education staff in identifying and responding appropriately to emerging mental health concerns. They will contribute to strengthening links between education and specialist mental health services, ensuring children and young people receive timely support and are signposted or referred appropriately where higher levels of need are identified.
The role requires effective partnership working with a range of professionals across health, education, social care and voluntary sector services. The post holder will be expected to communicate sensitively and professionally with children, young people, families and partner agencies, maintaining a child-centred, strengths-based and inclusive approach at all times.
The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate and contemporaneous clinical records, collecting and reporting outcome measures, and ensuring all work is completed in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, safeguarding requirements and information governance procedures.
The post holder will actively engage with the Education Mental Health Practitioner training programme and associated academic requirements, applying learning to practice and participating fully in clinical supervision, reflective practice and professional development opportunities.
The role will involve working across a range of educational settings and community locations throughout Barking & Dagenham and therefore requires flexibility, strong organisational skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.
Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 23rd June 2026. The EMHP training programme will commence on 22 September 2026. Successful candidates must be able to meet all university enrolment requirements, including the enrolment deadline of 22 August 2026. 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 focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,870 to a maximum of £6,137 p.a. pro rata for part time).
Working for Us Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.
The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
NVQ level 2 or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy Ability to work to degree level
Desirable
Proven record of previous academic attainment. Successful completion of the HEE commissioned 1yr Education Mental Health Practitioner course.
Experience Essential
NVQ level 3 or above experience relevant to the role Experience of working with children and young people, their families and others Experience of working and liaising with a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders Experience of working with children and young people who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties Experience of working with anxiety disorders Ability to carry out 1:1 therapeutic mental health intervention with children and families Ability to work within educational settings to increase mental health awareness within the staff group Ability to conduct mental health assessments of children and young people Ability to assess risk and to record and communicate it appropriately.
Desirable
Experience of the use of evidence-based interventions with CYP Experience of working in mental health and/or education settings.
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 Axe Street Child & Family Centre
Barking
Essex
IG11 7LZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)