Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners

In line with the government’s priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, there are new recruit to train positions within the children’s mental health services; Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) roles.
These posts are held within the Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams (MHST). For further information, please use the link below;
Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
EMHPs within these teams provide low intensity interventions based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and guided self-help. Trainee EMHPs are taught these interventions while also learning more about the MHST programme and children and young peoples’ mental health.
Advertised EMHP training roles will be within MHST based in Dartford, Dartford outskirts, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and surrounding locality, based in Kent and Medway.
Please use the link below for course information/entry requirements and the University of Sussex portal:
Throughout the training year and under clinical supervision, you will develop knowledge and practice skills to employ a range of evidence-based interventions for mental health difficulties. This is delivered via direct individual and group support for children, young people and their families, in line with NHS and University expectations. The NHS team uses a blend of face-to-face interventions along with online/digital support as part of what is offered (e.g. support via video and telephone calls). As an NHS employee you will record your outcomes and contribute to the growing national dataset of what works and helps to support children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health.
During the training year, the role will have both academic and practical elements. These will include face-to-face work in different settings across Kent and Medway, which can include schools and other settings accessed by young people.
On successful completion of training, Trainee EMH Ps will be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and capabilities to work as qualified EMHP as autonomous and responsible practitioners within their scope of practice, alongside their clinical team (MHSTs).
Probationary Period
Starting with NELFT
EMPHs are required to become registered practitioners upon qualification. There are two registering bodies: the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the British Association for Behaviour and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). These registrations do require membership and registration fees. Please discuss this during your training year.
The university programme, which will begin in September 2025 and last 12 months, will be delivered through a combination of taught days, experience gained in education, wellbeing and mainstream mental health services, and independent self-guided study days. You will work with a variety of different age groups and families across the diverse population of Kent and Medway.
As a trainee EMHP in NELFT, you will work under clinical supervision as part of a dynamic NHS mental health team in a creative environment. Evidence-based interventions, new ideas, and ways of working and supporting children and young people are actively encouraged. This modern approach requires flexibility, adaptability, and a passion for working with children and young people, specifically in educational settings.
The training year includes both University learning and placement hours in school, predominantly in term time. Therefore, we ask staff to use 80% of their annual leave in school holiday periods to prevent disruption to service delivery and the completion of the University Training Programme.
**Key Responsibilities under supervision while Training**:
Delivering evidence-based intervention for children and young people in education settings with mild to moderate mental health problems
Helping children and young people within these settings who present with more severe problems to rapidly access more specialist services
Supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify and, where appropriate, manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing
Working with and within education environments to afford better access to specialist mental health services
You will be joining an existing and growing team of EMHPs in NELFT who already work across other parts Kent and Medway these staff will also offer support in your training year as “buddies”. This additional support has been well received by previous trainees.
Interviews will commence the week beginning 26th May 2025 and will span 2 weeks.
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