Educational Mental Health Practitioner

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust; Worcester; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A local health and care trust in the UK is seeking an Educational Mental Health Practitioner to provide low-intensity CBT interventions in schools. The role involves managing a patient caseload, conducting assessments, and collaborating with families and educational staff. Candidates must have relevant qualifications and experience working with children and young people. The trust offers a supportive work environment with flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

27 days leave plus bank holidays

Generous NHS pension

Flexible working opportunities

Health and wellbeing opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people, their families, and others.
• Experience liaising with a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders.
• 12-month minimum post-registration experience in child health or mental health care.

Responsibilities

• Deliver low-intensity CBT interventions in schools.
• Manage a caseload of patients and complete assessments.
• Work closely with families, school staff & other professions.

Skills

Clear and effective communication in English

Basic IT competency

Ability to challenge poor behaviour

Education

Successful completion of the HEE-commissioned 1-yr Education Mental Health Practitioner course

Current registration with a relevant professional body (BPS / BABCP)

Specific qualification in a relevant therapeutic speciality e.g. counselling, family therapy, CBT

Job description

Educational Mental Health Practitioner

The closing date is 01 January 2026

Due to a recent promotion and growth within the Wellbeing & Emotional Support Teams (WEST), South Worcestershire, Redditch & Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest teams we are now seeking qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners to join our fantastic localities.

The WEST team is a forward‑thinking, supportive & hardworking team that is continuously developing as individuals and a service. We provide high quality, evidence‑based CBT interventions to Children & Young People in schools and focus on a Whole School Approach to make the schools we work with a mentally healthy environment for CYP.

We will provide you with resources to develop & progress should this be something you wish to do, as well as flexibility and a wealth of support, making the WEST environment a great place to work. If you would like to discuss this role further, please get in touch with the Recruiting Manager.

This post has been deemed by the Trust as eligible for relocation expenses for suitable successful candidate(s).

There are full and part time vacancies available. The workbase will be confirmed at interview.

Main duties of the job

We are a busy service, covering schools and higher education colleges in Worcestershire. You will be delivering low‑intensity CBT interventions (1:1 or group) in your aligned schools as well as delivering Whole School Approach activities, keeping the CYP at the heart of everything you do.

Under the support of operational lead, clinical lead & senior practitioners you will manage a caseload of patients and complete assessments, care plans & other relevant documentation whilst maintaining the fidelity of the low‑intensity CBT model.

An understanding of risk management & safeguarding is imperative for this role, and you will be supported with managing this within the team.

You will also receive regular case‑management & clinical skills supervision to support you clinically as well as participate in MDT/screening meetings.

You will work closely with families, school staff & other professions and at times deliver consultations & sign‑posting advice to other agencies. Thus, strong interpersonal skills are key.

Job responsibilities

• Act as a role model to colleagues, always seeking to maintain the highest standards.
• Work in partnership with Educational Settings & Partners to improve the outcomes for CYP 5‑18 years of age.
• Provide a high‑quality service to CYP, families and school staff and maintain regular communication with all.
• Promote knowledge of mental health & the prevention of mental health issues with children and members of the public.
• Act as an active member of the team and support with service development as well as engage in service meetings.
• Use initiative and take responsibility for the quality of your work and the service you provide to patients.
• For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

About us

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust work together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.

We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work‑life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

Benefits

• 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
• Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
• Flexible and agile working opportunities
• Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
• Wide range of supportive staff networks
• Health and wellbeing opportunities

If you would like to know more, please visit our website.

We encourage you to read the attached applicant guidance notes.

Sharing your data

As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trust’s understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of health services
• Working knowledge of mental health issues in CAMH services
• Knowledge of safeguarding & risk issues
• Knowledge of capacity and consent including Gillick competence
• Experience in the delivery of evidence‑based and CBT interventions for children and adolescents.
• Good knowledge of recognised disorders and illnesses in the field of mental health
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to challenge poor behaviour
• Clear and effective communication in English (verbal and written)
• Basic IT competency
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle to meet travel requirements

Qualifications

• Successful completion of the HEE‑commissioned 1‑yr Education Mental Health Practitioner course
• Current registration with a relevant professional body (BPS / BABCP)
• Committed to provide original certificates to verify qualifications at point of offer.
• Specific qualification in a relevant therapeutic speciality e.g. counselling, family therapy, CBT, substance misuse

Experience

• Experience working with children and young people, their families, and others.
• Experience liaising with a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders.
• Experience with children and young people with social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.
• Experience with anxiety disorders.
• Experience with affective (mood) disorders.
• Experience delivering specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people or their families (e.g. CBT, solution‑focused brief therapy).
• 12‑month minimum post‑registration experience in child health or mental health care.
• Experience working with children and families in an educational setting.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working within a community/public health team.

Additional Criteria

• Awareness of personal strengths and limitations
• Able to travel to meet the commitments of the post

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will involve a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£31,049 to £37,796 a year (pro‑rata for part time)