NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner
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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.
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.
Main Duties
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
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Please Read The Attached Job Description For Full Details.
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.
As part of the recruitment process, all applicants must submit a separate application to UCL alongside their application for the Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner position.
UCL Application Portal
For more information relating to the course please visit:
Funding Support and Training Contract
Update the date of the interviews:
Face-to-face interviews are required, and these will take place on the 21 August 2026
Due to the high demand for these training roles and the fixed course start date, we are unable to offer alternative interview dates.
As this is a fixed training programme, successful applicants must be able to commence the role on 5 October 2026.
We appreciate your interest; however, applicants who have previously been unsuccessful in securing this position are requested not to submit a further application.
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.
Qualified Role (Post-Training)
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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 ( & ).
Responsibilities
As a Band 5 EMHP the post holder will be working more autonomously to deliver early interventions for mild to moderate mental health needs. Responsibilities include:
- Conducting assessments and delivering interventions
- Promoting wellbeing in schools and communities
- Escalating cases and referring to specialist services
- Contributing to multidisciplinary working, service development, and clinical governance
- Supporting trainees and whole-school approaches to mental health
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 Goodmayes, Essex.
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).
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.
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