Teaching is intensive during the first few months of the programme (approximately four full days per week) before reducing as clinical practice increases.

This is a demanding but highly rewarding programme requiring commitment, resilience and excellent organisational skills. Successful trainees should expect to undertake independent study outside of normal working hours.

About You

We are looking for people who:

• Are passionate about improving children's mental health and wellbeing.
• Have experience of working with children, young people and/or families.
• Can develop positive therapeutic relationships.
• Are organised and able to manage competing priorities.
• Demonstrate empathy, creativity and curiosity.
• Are reflective and able to learn from supervision and feedback.
• Can work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Are comfortable assessing and managing risk with appropriate support.
• Can apply learning and theory to practice.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Are motivated to successfully complete an intensive training programme.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to study successfully at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
• A Levels (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications) or higher education qualifications.
• Experience of working with children, young people and/or families.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to travel regularly to the University of Northampton.
• Commitment to completing the full training programme.

University attendance

Attendance at the University of Northampton is a mandatory requirement of the programme.

Please Note

Successful candidates will be required to travel regularly to the University of Northampton throughout the course. Nottingham City Council does not fund overnight accommodation or hotel stays associated with university attendance. Reasonable travel expenses to and from the University of Northampton will be reimbursed in accordance with Nottingham City Council travel policies.

Applicants should therefore ensure they are able to meet the travel requirements of the programme.

Future opportunities

This is a training post designed to develop the next generation of Education Mental Health Practitioners.

Our ambition is to build and retain a highly skilled workforce of qualified EMHPs within Nottingham City MHST. Subject to service need, funding and successful completion of the training programme, trainees will be encouraged to apply for substantive qualified EMHP vacancies within our service.

Please note that appointment to a qualified EMHP role is not automatic. Successful trainees will be required to participate in a competitive recruitment process following qualification.

Recruitment process

The Selection Process May Include

• Interview.
• Scenario-based questions.
• Role play.
• Presentation.
• Written exercise.
• Young person involvement.

We are looking not only for academic ability, but also interpersonal skills, resilience, reflective practice and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Important recruitment information

Due to the short timescales associated with the University intake, this recruitment process will move quickly, and pre-employment checks will begin immediately following conditional offers.

To Avoid Unnecessary Delays, Applicants Are Strongly Encouraged To

• Speak to their referees before applying so they are aware that a reference request may be received at short notice.
• Ensure referees are available to respond promptly.
• Pay particular attention if using a school-based referee, as recruitment will take place during the school summer holidays when many schools operate with reduced staffing or are closed.

Delays in receiving satisfactory references or other pre-employment checks may affect our ability to confirm a place on this year's training programme.

This post is covered by the statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) (English Language Requirement for public sector workers) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English, is an essential requirement for the role. A DBS enhanced check for a regulated activity is required for this post.

You can find the job description for this post here.

At Nottingham City Council we believe that work is what you do, not where you do it. We offer different working arrangements, depending on the role, including hybrid working. Further information on Worker Types and what these mean in terms of how and where you work can be found on the additional information for applicants page.

For informal enquiries please contact Corina Benjamin and Natasha McDonald, MHST Service Managers by email at corina.benjamin@nottinghamcity.gov.uk/ Natasha.McDonald@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.

Closing Date: 11th August 2026

Please note there may be occasions where we close the advert before the closing date and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Interviews will be held: within 10 days of the closing date

If you have any technical issues when completing your application, please contact our Employee Service Centre: https://emss.org.uk/support

By applying to this job, you agree to our Terms & Conditions.

About Us

Thank you for your interest in working for Nottingham City Council. As one of the largest employers in Nottingham we offer a wide range of roles across a range of services. In return for your skill, drive and commitment to serving the people of Nottingham, we can help you to develop an exciting and rewarding career, with access to the following benefits.

In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 33 days after 5 years’ service) + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually
• Access to a generous, defined benefit pension scheme offering 17.9%
• Smart Working – to support your work life balance
• Health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres, cinema, shopping and much more!

Nottingham City Council is committed to recruiting a talented workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are a fair and inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and with different abilities. We recruit for diversity and value difference.

We particularly want to hear from you if you are from Minority Ethnic communities, identify within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ community (LGBTQ+) and if you are Disabled - these groups of people are underrepresented in our workforce, and we’d like to reflect our local population more through our recruitment processes.

We are supportive of flexible working arrangements wherever possible and we would encourage you to discuss this with us during the selection process, should this be something you are interested in.