About this role
Job summary Job Overview
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for motivated and compassionate individuals to join our Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) as Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs). This role is ideal for those passionate about early intervention and improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in educational settings.
This is a full-time, one-year training programme leading to qualification as an EMHP. Trainees will complete a fully funded Postgraduate Diploma at University College London (UCL) combining academic study with supervised clinical practice. The EMHP role is a recognised professional position delivering evidence-based early interventions within MHSTs.
Main duties of the job
Candidates should demonstrate the ability to study at postgraduate level and ideally have experience working with children and young people, along with an understanding of mental health and emotional wellbeing. Strong relationship-building skills are essential; experience in educational settings is desirable but not required.
The role is based in Mid Essex, supporting schools across Braintree, Chelmsford, and Maldon. You will join a well-established team with strong supervision, mentorship, and peer support.
As a Trainee EMHP, you will work across clinical practice, training, teamwork, and administration.
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
Clinical practice:
Work under supervision to assess and manage a caseload of children and young people (CYP) Deliver low-intensity, evidence-based interventions (e.g. guided self-help, groups, workshops) Collaborate with CYP, families, and school staff to develop care plans and outcomes Conduct risk assessments and follow safeguarding procedures Promote inclusive, anti-discriminatory practice Training and development:
Complete all academic requirements of the Postgraduate Diploma Engage in teaching, self-directed study, and supervised placements Apply learning to practice and participate in reflective practice Teamwork and leadership:
Contribute to service development, audits, and quality improvement Share learning through supervision, peer support, and training Administration and communication:
Maintain accurate and confidential records Effective communication with CYP, families, and professionals using varied approaches Support caseload management and develop clinical resources Key Responsibilities
Deliver low-intensity interventions under supervision (1:1 or group sessions) Delivering workshops, assemblies, and training to CYP, parents and education staff. Apply academic learning to clinical work Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary and education teams Conduct assessments and maintain records Contribute to service development and quality improvement Promote inclusive and equitable care Training and Key Information
Successful candidates will be offered a full-time educational programme specifically for the role. The course fees are fully funded (with employees signing a training contract), and the salary support for the job post will be funded at NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) at beginning Band 4.
You will gain credits towards completing with a postgraduate degree diploma level qualification, plus guaranteed employment on successful completion of training, with a starting salary projected to be based on the NHS AfC Band 5 scale.
For the training year, successful candidates will be employed by NELFT based in educational settings in across Essex. Due to the nature of the school sites, an ability to travel independently to school settings and university is essential.
There are teaching days across the calendar year with some intensive teaching blocks early in the course. Training is provider is UCL & The Anna Freud Centre with 100% attendance required and travel to UCL expected in the first year.
For more information relating to the course please visit: Educational Mental Health Practitioner PG Dip | Prospective Students Graduate - UCL – University Co…
Funding Support and Training Contract
NELFT is committed to supporting and developing a new workforce, including EMHPs throughout their training. These roles are integral to delivering the NHS Long Term Plan and supporting developments within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
We therefore require all staff who receive funding support from NELFT to sign a training contract outlining your commitment to the role and future service. This training contract will come into effect if you leave the organisation to work in a non-NHS setting, and you may be liable to repay the cost of the course to the Trust.
Posts are 18-month fixed-term training contracts. A training agreement applies, with potential repayment of costs if leaving for a non-NHS role.
Face-to-face interviews are required, and these will take place from week commencing 13 July 2026.
Due to the high demand for these training roles and the fixed course start date, we are unable to offer alternative interview dates.
Qualified Role (Post-Training)
On successful completion of the course, the post holder will be required to apply for professional registration with either the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or the British Psychological Society (BPS) to qualify as a Band 5 EMHP. For more information about registering as an EMHP please click on the attached links (What is Registration? – BABCP & Wider Psychological Workforce Register | BPS).
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related field, or other degree with relevant experience/training.
Experience Essential
Experience working with children and young people either in education, mental health, counselling, or support roles. knowledge of CYP mental health interventions or approaches. experience working with families or multi-agency teams
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 Stapleford House
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0QX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)