practitioner

NELFT NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; Colchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider in Colchester is seeking a qualified EMHP or CWP to support children and young people aged 4-18 in managing mental health difficulties. The role involves conducting therapeutic sessions, collaborating with schools, and assessing individual needs. Applicants should hold relevant qualifications and demonstrate compassion and clinical skills. Benefits include flexible working and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Ongoing CPD opportunities

Friendly, inclusive culture

Qualifications

• Experience working independently within scope of practice.
• Ability to support children and young people in educational settings.
• Willingness to travel across Colchester, Clacton, and Harwich.

Responsibilities

• Conduct therapeutic sessions with children and young people.
• Collaborate with schools to implement mental health initiatives.
• Conduct assessments and develop care plans.

Skills

Compassion

Clinical skill

Collaboration

Education

Qualified EMHP or CWP

Job description

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

• 1:1 therapeutic sessions
• Group interventions
• Whole-school mental health initiatives
• Delivering evidence-based interventions in primary, secondary, and higher education settings
• Conducting comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments, care plans, and reviews
• Using Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs) and clinical tools to guide and improve practice
• Collaborating with schools to map and plan service delivery tailored to their needs
• Working alongside fellow EMHPs/CWPs and Senior Mental Health Practitioners to support your development

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

You must be able to travel across Colchester, Clacton and Harwich (vehicle access required). This post requires the successful applicant to work agilely between NELFT sites and educational settings. Some travel around the county is also expected. The nominated base for North East Essex is 900 The Crescent, Colchester.

About NELFT

At NELFT, we’re proud to be the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England. Our services across Southend, Essex, and Thurrock currently support over 150 schools, delivering vital mental health care to children and young people aged 4 to 18.

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co‑produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

Values

• We are kind.
• We are respectful.
• We work together with our communities.

Induction

NELFT places a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment.

As part of the process, new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers, and attend a number of drop‑in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

High Cost

High Cost

Benefits

• 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

If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and be part of a team that truly cares, we’d love to welcome you. If you have not completed the EMHP/CWP course or cannot provide evidence of this, unfortunately, you will not be shortlisted.

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 to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.