Education Mental Health Practitioner/Children's Wellbeing Practitioner

NHS; Basildon; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health provider is looking for a qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner to support children aged 4-18 with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The role includes delivering one-on-one therapeutic sessions and group interventions in various educational settings within Basildon. Applicants need to be proficient in CBT-informed therapeutic methods and possess good communication skills. This position offers a supportive team and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Supportive multidisciplinary team

Opportunities for CPD

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Successful completion of either Education Mental Health Practitioner or CWP PgDip course.
• Experience of delivering CBT-informed interventions to children or families.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based interventions in educational settings.
• Conduct risk assessments and care plans.
• Collaborate with schools for tailored service delivery.

Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Experience with therapeutic interventions

Education

PgDip in Education Mental Health Practitioner or CWP

Job description

Job Summary

Go back NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Education Mental Health Practitioner/Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
The closing date is 10 December 2025

At NELFT, we are the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England, supporting over 150 schools across Southend, Essex, and Thurrock. Our MHSTs deliver evidence‑based individual and group interventions within educational settings, helping children manage mild to moderate mental health challenges. We are committed to a whole‑school approach that fosters lasting, positive mental health outcomes across entire communities.

Why Join Us?

• Early intervention & prevention at the heart of everything we do
• Friendly, inclusive culture where your voice matters
• Flexible working options to support your work‑life balance
• Ongoing CPD opportunities to help you grow and thrive
• A supportive environment where we lift each other up and work together to improve mental health in our community

Main duties of the job

As a practitioner, you will work in close partnership with schools, helping children and young people (CYP) aged 4‑18 manage mild to moderate mental health difficulties. You will also support families in building confidence and resilience through:

• 1:1 therapeutic sessions
• Group interventions
• Whole‑school mental health initiatives

What You'll Be Doing

• Deliver evidence‑based interventions in primary, secondary, and higher education settings
• Conduct comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments, care plans, and reviews
• Use Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs) and clinical tools to guide and improve practice
• Collaborate with schools to map and plan service delivery tailored to their needs
• Work alongside fellow EMHPs/CWPs and Senior Mental Health Practitioners to support your development

What We're Looking For

You will be a qualified EMHP or CWP, confident in working independently within your scope of practice, and experienced in supporting CYP in educational environments. You will bring compassion, clinical skill, and a collaborative spirit to everything you do.

You must be able to travel across Basildon, Thurrock and Brentwood and Billericay (vehicle access required).

What We Offer

• A supportive, multidisciplinary team
• Opportunities for Continual Professional Development (CPD)
• Support to register with BABCP or BPS during your probationary period

About us

Our Values 2025 - 2030
Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we co‑produced three new values: We are kind. We are respectful. We work together with our communities. These values help us strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Starting with NELFT
We place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month with a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, including mandatory training, systems training and equipment allocation. They will also have the opportunity to meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend drop‑in sessions on engagement, health and wellbeing, and key processes.

Base

This post requires the successful applicant to work agilely between NELFT sites and educational settings, so a divers licence is required. Travel around the county is expected. The nominated base for South West Essex is Phoenix House Basildon.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nX8CImoDX8

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

High Cost Area Supplement - Fringe

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of the basic salary (minimum £1,303 and a maximum £2,198 per annum, pro‑rate for part‑time).

Job responsibilities

For full details about this role and what it's like to work at NELFT, please refer to the attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to use these documents to guide your application.

Important Information Before You Apply

Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points‑based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High‑Cost Area Supplement) is not included.

Use of AI
See attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Application Checklist

• Have you completed the EMHP or CWP training course?
• Please confirm the university where you completed your training.
• Let us know which organisation you are seeking professional accreditation through.

If you have not completed the EMHP/CWP course or cannot provide evidence of this, unfortunately, you will not be shortlisted.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Successful completion of either Education Mental Health Practitioner or CWP PgDip course.
• Applicant can demonstrate they have applied for Wellbeing Practitioner registration with BABCP or BPS.

Desirable

• Appropriate registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a Wellbeing Practitioner.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of the delivery of CBT‑informed therapeutic interventions to children, young people, or their families, including as a trainee.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Travel

Essential

• To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name

NELFT North East London Foundation Trust

Address

Phoenix House
Christopher Martin Road
Basildon
SS143EZ

Employer's website

https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/

£31,049 to £37,796 a year plus HCA's