Off the Record (Bristol)
Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
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Application Deadline: 09/08/2026
Hours: 37.5 per week | 1 fte
Salary: OTR Band B | Starting salary £26,629
Contract Type: Fixed term for 12 month while training with extension to permanent pending successful completion of qualification
We are excited to announce that OTR are looking for new trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP) to expand our offer to children and young people across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) are part of a national strategy implemented by the government in 2018. In Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, MHSTs are delivered in partnership between OTR and NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (AWP CAMHS). This partnership makes our MHST unique, creative, and responsive to the needs of the diverse communities we work in.
Click here to find out more about the MHST
Trainee EMHPs will provide high quality, evidence-based support for children and young people with mild to moderate anxiety, low mood, and some behavioural needs. EMHPs are attached to both primary and secondary schools throughout the local area and work in collaboration with Mental Health Leads in educational settings, as well as the wider school community. Our practitioners offer a combination of one-to-one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) support for young people and whole school approach work which includes workshops for pupils, staff training, and parent workshops.
Successful applicants will undertake a twelve-month Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma level training course delivered by the University of Exeter with guaranteed permanent employment within OTR on successful completion of training. The training and service experience will equip the post holders with the necessary knowledge, behaviours and skills to ensure that children and young people will have access to high quality, evidence based mental health support.
We'll be recruiting to teams which will support schools in Bristol, South Glos, and North Somerset. The next EMHP Training intake is likely to be in January 2027. Exact start dates TBC.
Webinars
We will be holding webinars on 21st & 23rd of September. If you would like to join to find out more, please contact awp.mhstenquiries@nhs.net
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Important Note
Whilst these roles are OTR vacancies, this programme is run in partnership with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) who are also currently recruiting for EMHPs (In Training). There are differences in terms and conditions across the organisations. Please check the job descriptions for more information. Candidates who apply to both organisations who are successfully shortlisted will attend a single interview and will not be required to interview twice. During the interview process, candidates will be assessed for their suitability for each role independently.
To find out more about the role please download the job pack below.
If you would like an informal chat about the role, please email awp.mhstenquiries@nhs.net
To apply for this role click the 'Apply now' button below
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a team that reflects the diversity of the people we work with.
Safeguarding
OTR is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, trustees, and volunteers to share this commitment.
As part of our Safer Recruitment practices, all roles involving contact with young people will be subject to robust pre-employment checks, including references, a full employment history, and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, overseas criminal record checks will also be required.
We are dedicated to creating a culture of vigilance, transparency, and accountability. Our safeguarding procedures are guided by the principle that the welfare of the child is paramount, and all staff are required to adhere to OTR’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
OTR & Benefits
OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people. The charity is at an exciting stage of its 59-year history and is proud to be reaching more young people than ever before (around 20,000) across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset with creative and diverse mental health and wellbeing info and support.
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Click here to find out more about what we do
Our approach to mental health is grounded in a set of beliefs and values that underpin all of our work. We believe in celebrating diversity, empowering and mobilising young people to make change, and that catering to the unique strengths, interests and circumstances surrounding young people is key. Our approach centres on collaboration and partnership, building relationships between individuals, peers and communities.
Each day is as engaging and fulfilling as the last, and with a network of supportive, community minded people, we hope you’ll feel welcome here. As a thank you, we like to compensate our employees for the important work they do with a range of benefits including a flexible leave policy, healthcare cost and wellbeing assistance with HealthShield, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, enhanced sick pay, parental leave, training and development, social and wellbeing events, and more (subject to contractual terms and conditions).
A Willingness to Work with Difference
At OTR, whatever your role or professional background, you will be expected to work in a way that is anti-oppressive and inclusive. A key focus for OTR is to develop an organisation that is inclusive for all but we do not claim to be experts in this. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas and invite you to join us on this journey.
OTR recognises the benefits to individual practice and organisational credibility of having a diverse community of staff and volunteers and to this end is continually working towards building and maintaining an environment which values and pursues diversity accordingly.
We recognise that tackling systemic inequality, prejudice, racism and oppressive practice requires each of us to actively engage, self-examine and make changes where necessary, in order to improve access and equitable experience for all in society and all of those who come through our doors at OTR.
Job Description: Job_Pack_Trainee_EMHP.pdf
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