MHST Senior Wellbeing Practitioner

East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridgeshire); Ely; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridgeshire) invites applications for a Senior Wellbeing Practitioner within the MHST in East Cambridge. Start date January 2027.

This role focuses on supporting EMHPs, supervising trainees, and delivering CBT-based interventions in schools to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people. You do not need to be registered at application; you will be supported to complete the UEA MHST Supervisor Course in 2027 and will work

Qualifications

• Two years+ experience as a Band 5 EMHP/CWP.
• Experience delivering group-based interventions for children and young people.
• Experience supervising Trainee EMHPs/EMHPs in educational settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical supervision to EMHPs and Trainee EMHPs.
• Deliver evidence-based CBT-based interventions in schools for mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
• Develop and supervise group work and training for staff and educators.
• Contribute to governance, risk management and professional standards.

Skills

CBT

EMHP supervision

Group-based interventions

Education settings

Education

Professional registration with BPS/BABC

Qualification in supervision

Job description

Employer East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridgeshire) Employer type NHS Site East Cambs MHST - Princess of Wales Hosptial Town Ely Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro-rata Salary period Yearly Closing 25/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 05/11/2026

Band 6

East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust delivers expert healthcare in people’s homes, community hospitals and local settings across the East of England.

Our nurses, therapists, clinicians, support teams and partners work together to provide coordinated care that supports independence, recovery and wellbeing. We believe people are best cared for close to home, in the communities where they live and belong.

By combining professional expertise with strong local relationships, we help people stay well, feel supported and access the right care at the right time. Expert healthcare, close to home, trusted by our communities.

Different ideas, experiences and backgrounds make us stronger and more creative and applications from all walks of life are welcomed. Our processes ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.

East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust is committed to creating a modern and inclusive work environment. We actively promote flexible working opportunities where possible to meet the needs and wishes of our workforce and maintain and improve their wellbeing. We also offer flexible working patterns and we would encourage you to discuss this with the recruiting manager before or during the application process if this would interest you.

We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community.

Before applying for this vacancy, please make sure you’re familiar with ongoing GOV.uk sponsorship eligibility criteria which will impact the organisations ability to provide sponsorship, whether this is currently or in the future.

Please note, our selection processes are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right values and skills. Please be advised that the use of AI in applications is monitored. We remain watchful of candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn’t accurately reflect their skills.

Please note all new starters will be subject to a 6 month probationary period.

Job overview

Location: East Cambridge
Start date: January 2027

Are you an experienced MHST practitioner ready to take the next step in your career? We are excited to offer opportunities for passionate, skilled clinicians to join us as Senior Wellbeing Practitioners. This is a fantastic chance to influence local mental health provision, support EMHPs, and shape the growth of our developing MHSTs.

You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking, supportive service committed to improving outcomes for children and young people in education settings. Successful applicants will also be supported to complete the UEA MHST Supervisor Course in 2027.

You do not need to be registered at the point of applying.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 15th October 2026

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Wellbeing Practitioner, the successful candidate will work closely with the MHST Clinical and Team Lead and Senior Clinicians, to ensure success of the MHST

• Support Trainee and Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) to deliver evidence-based intervention for children and young people in education settings with mild to moderate mental health difficulties
• To deliver evidence-based support for children and young people in education settings, utilising skills and knowledge of CBT and child and adolescent mental health practice, and knowledge of Whole School and College Approach to mental health
• Working with and within education environments to provide better access to specialist mental health services
• Supervise Trainee and Qualified EMHPs
• Practice in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards

Working for our organisation

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.

There’s one reason why our services are outstanding – and that’s our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.

If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Purpose:

To work in an exciting service which we are delivering across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: The Mental Health Support Team (MHST). MHSTs are based within schools, ensuring children and young people receive faster access to earlier mental health support. You will be one of the key team members in the expansion of this service.

In this role you will support and provide a high-quality service to students (and their families) experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. This will be done through the supervision and line management of Trainee and qualified Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs), and through direct delivery of evidence-based interventions to support the recovery of young people referred to the service, utilising skills and knowledge of CBT and child and adolescent mental health practice, and knowledge of whole school approaches to mental health. This work will be in accordance with clinical governance processes and professional standards.

Main Duties and Responsibilities Clinical

• Under the direction of the MHST Senior Clinician, be accountable and responsible for a defined clinical caseload
• Provide screening, assessment, psychosocial formulations and interventions (e.g. psycho-educational interventions, Guided Self Help, CBT, solution focused work, systemic work and group support), and to measure outcomes for all interventions, for mild to moderate mental health difficulties in educational settings
• Provide a service that is comprehensive and accessible to the whole school community, targeting mild to moderate mental health problems in children and young people aged 4 to 19 years old
• Provide a service that is equitable and non-discriminatory in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and disability or any other protected characteristic
• Support professionals in making appropriate referrals and in carrying out the mental health aspects of their own roles. To liaise closely with other professionals including colleagues in the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service, YOUnited, Paediatricians, Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, school counsellors, Children’s Services and other voluntary agencies
• Make appropriate referrals to other service providers in the statutory and voluntary sectors and redirect clients to other sources of appropriate support within the local community as required
• To provide consultation as required to other professionals (such as teachers and Family Workers) around mental health issues in children and young people in educational settings
• Clinically develop the provision of group work for children/young people and training for teaching staff, to include training and mentoring EMHP colleagues in order to improve the quality of the group work and training that we deliver
• To work creatively with other members of the team to create training packages for teachers and support/awareness sessions for young people and parents/carers
• Develop a ‘local knowledge’ of the locality and its services and facilities, particularly in relation to mental health issues
• To deliver psychoeducation and support to parents/carers and teachers, conveying formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language
• To enhance emotional wellbeing and to promote or build resilience in children and young people through educational workshops, assemblies and PSHE lessons
• Conduct risk assessments and formulations, prepare risk management plans and initiate appropriate action where indicated (including referrals to relevant secondary care services)
• To actively contribute to team multi-disciplinary working
• Demonstrate appropriate understanding of the legal and ethical issues in providing mental health care to children and/or adolescents
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Care Act. The post holder will also understand Safeguarding Children and Adults and Child Protection procedures
• The post holder will be required to work with young people whose behaviour is personally challenging and deal with frequent exposure to highly distressing or highly emotional circumstances
• To support the rollout of further MHSTs across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Clinical Supervision and Training

• Undertake appropriate clinical supervision on a regular basis in accordance with the relevant professional guidelines and policies
• Provide clinical and case supervision to Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) and Trainee EMHPs. This will involve supervising two elements of their practice:
• a. Low intensity cognitive behavioural informed interventions and;
• b. Whole School Approach to mental health in education settings
• c. Attend the EMHP Supervisors Course at the University of East Anglia
• d. Offer training to Education staff and other agencies in CBT based interventions
• e. Attend locally organised and national training appropriate to the work role

Professional

• Take personal (unprompted) responsibility for achieving agreed clinical activity
• To develop an area of interest, in discussion with the Clinical & Team Lead to the level whereby the post holder could become a resource of information for the whole service
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of the Trust and the Service
• Maintain appropriate clinical records in keeping with service operational policy
• Participate in setting and reviewing of objectives for the post on an annual basis
• Participate in activities of ‘continuing professional development’ (CPD) on an annual basis
• Attend, organise and chair meetings as appropriate

Communication

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with professionals, agencies, charities and teams who also provide services to children and/or adolescents in the community. These relationships are a key part of the role in which you will be representing East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust and will benefit the child/adolescent and/or family
• Be able to clearly and effectively communicate both clinical and non-clinical information with those receiving care, their families/carers and with other professional colleagues as appropriate
• The post holder will be able to demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills, self-awareness and empathy in all communications
• Represent the team at meetings as delegated by the Senior Clinician and/or Clinical & Team Lead and contribute effectively to the meeting agenda

People Management

• Ensure that clinically supervised staff maintain appropriate clinical records, including outcome data, in keeping with service operational policy
• Participate in regular audits of clinical activity, quarterly reporting, research projects and utilise data from the service’s Key Performance Indicators to enhance individual practitioner’s and the team’s clinical practice
• Take a lead or assist in the management and organisation of work as required, utilising the team’s resources to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of high-quality patient care
• Balance conflicting demands, including delegating work and understanding Service Key Performance Indicators
• Participate in service development and make an active contribution to pursuing the aims, objectives and overall strategy of the EHWS and the Trust

Research & Development Activity

• To lead and participate in regular audits, quarterly reporting, and research projects for the improvement of the team’s clinical practice
• To collaborate with other team members in the design and implementation of audit and research projects

Clinical and Practice Governance

• Participate fully in providing quality care in line with local and national guidelines e.g. NICE Guidance & Quality Standards relating to children and/or young people with mental health difficulties and social care difficulties
• Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection
• Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies
• The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes
• The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures
• It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with the relevant professional body, and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration
• Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
• Provide patients and their families/carers with information on standards they should expect from the team
• The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness processes and Business Continuity for their team and the EHWS

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

• Evidence of continued professional development
• Professional registration with either the BPS or BABC
• A qualification in provision of supervision
• Registration with relevant professional body

Experience

• Two years+ experience as a Band 5 EMHP/CWP
• Able to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge of mental health practice from previous professional experience
• Demonstrate effective risk assessment and risk management experience
• Experience of providing supervision
• Experience of inducting staff members to an area with confidence
• Experience of screening, assessing and treatment prescribing
• Experience in the delivery of evidence-based interventions for children and young people
• Experience in working in a team and partnership working
• Experience of working within a service which has demanding targets and performance management
• Experience in delivering group-based interventions
• Experience of supporting service development
• Experience of delivering training
• Experience in developing others
• Experience of leadership
• Experience of providing mentorship Experience of working in a community environment
• Experience of working in an educational environment

Knowledge & Skills

• Effective analytical and decision-making skills, including care planning skills
• Risk assessment knowledge and skills
• Competent and effective psychological treatment skills
• Able to effectively prioritise own workload and use team resources effectively
• Respond flexibly and appropriately to unforeseen circumstances
• Good computer skills including use of email/internet and Microsoft software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• Ability to work cross-culturally
• Ability to use outcome measures for both clinical and audit purposes
• Ability to manage conflict and respond to complaints
• Good knowledge of national legislation and drivers and other legislation related to the care of children and young people, educational provision and mental health
• Knowledge of NICE, CQC standards and regulations

Equal Opportunities - We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. Additionally, people with disabilities that fall under the Disability Confident Scheme will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). All sites are Smoke Free.

If you need this application in an offline format, please let us know.
Immigration Status – East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust is a diverse employer and welcomes all job applications. However, potential applicants should note that although the Trust is registered with the Home Office as a sponsor organisation for migrant workers, sponsorship can only be offered against eligible roles. If you are an applicant from outside the UK and do not already hold a self-gained right to work, we recommend you check the Home Office eligibility requirements before making an application.

Please note: Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for some job roles, and this will be identified through filtering questions at the start of any job application on the Trac recruitment system.

Our safe recruitment pre‑employment checks are undertaken before an appointment is confirmed and may include a DBS check. Where the role requires you to drive, we’ll ask you to validate your driving licence online via the DVLA.

Redeployment - Please note that in the first instance priority for this vacancy will be given to staff who are on the Trusts Redeployment Register.
Closing and Interview Dates –This vacancy may close early if sufficient applicants are received.

Data Protection - A privacy notice detailing how we will handle your data is attached to this advert as a document. Your application will be transferred to our recruitment management system (Trac) once the advert has closed and you will receive notification then detailing how Trac will handle your data.

ALL CORRESPONDENCE will be via the e‑mail address on your application form. If you have not been invited to interview within 2 weeks of the closing date, you unfortunately haven’t been successful on this occasion, but keep an eye on our vacancies as a job that’s just right for you may appear!

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Nina Bradley Job title Clinical and Team lead - East Cambs MHST Email address [e-mail]