Qualified Educational Mental Health Practitioner/CWP | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

North East London NHS Foundation Trust; Southend-on-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Southend-on-Sea is seeking a qualified health care professional to join their Mental Health Support Teams. You will provide essential emotional wellbeing and mental health support to children and young people. Candidates should have extensive clinical experience and relevant qualifications such as EMHP or CWP. This role offers a supportive team culture and opportunities for professional growth, alongside a commitment to staff wellbeing.

Benefits

Comprehensive training and induction

Support for professional development

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Graduate health care professional with clinical experience in mental health.
• Registered with appropriate professional body (e.g., HCPC, NMC).
• Ability to deliver interventions in schools and community settings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver individual and group interventions in educational settings.
• Provide expert emotional wellbeing and mental health support.
• Initiate referrals to other health services.

Skills

Emotional wellbeing support

Clinical supervision

Communication

Leadership

Team collaboration

Education

Graduate health care professional qualification

EMHP or CWP qualification

Job description

Overview

Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we aim for an Outstanding rating. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children. The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest in staff development and embed a just and compassionate culture. Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work.

About our Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)

NELFT is the largest provider of MHSTs in England. Our Southend, Essex and Thurrock services cover 144 schools. We currently cover 48% of secondary and primary schools within those areas. The MHSTs deliver evidence-based individual and group interventions in educational settings for children aged 4 to 18 years with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The teams also focus on whole-school approaches to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people. MHSTs work alongside school counsellors, nurses, educational psychologists and the voluntary sector to support those with mild to moderate mental health issues and help children and young people with more severe needs access the right support and link to CAMHS services.

Role and Responsibilities

• The post holder will deliver interventions within MHSTs in and around schools and colleges while receiving clinical supervision.
• Act as an autonomous, registered (where appropriate) practitioner who is legally and professionally accountable for own unsupervised actions, guided by the professional code of conduct and Trust guidelines and protocols.
• Initiate referrals to other health professional specialist services and agencies.
• Provide expert emotional wellbeing and mental health support as part of plans to transform CYP mental health through the NHS Long-Term Plan.
• Undertake school-based and community-based assessments, risk assessments, care plans and deliver a range of early interventions to CYP with emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• Be responsible and accountable for service delivery to clients/patients via NICE compliant pathways and in line with the crisis care concordat.
• Provide leadership to promote initiative, creativity and motivation within MHSTs.
• Regularly measure clinical outcomes and deliver evidence-based interventions.
• Communicate complex patient-related information to facilitate positive outcomes and support collaborative working.
• Support peers and the team leader and work as an effective team member, while also using own initiative. Actively support and liaise with other health and social care professionals and agencies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Graduate-qualified health care professional (e.g. nurse, social worker, occupational therapist) or have completed Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)/Children Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) qualification and be fully registered with the appropriate professional body (e.g. HCPC, NMC, BPS, BABCP).
• Extensive clinical experience working with Children and Young People with emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties.
• Either have completed or be supported to complete the Senior Wellbeing Practitioner (SWP) course or CYP IAPT Low Intensity Supervisor course.

Values and Team Culture

NELFT Values 2025-2030: We are kind; We are respectful; We work together with our communities. These values guide our aim to provide the best care by the best people.

Base and Travel

The South East Essex MHST has a nominal base at Skyline Plaza in Southend-on-Sea. As agile workers, the successful applicant will travel to various NELFT offices and educational settings across the MHSTs.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period for external applicants.

Starting with Us

NELFT places great importance on welcoming new starters into the Trust. All new starters join on the first Monday of each month and undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, including mandatory training, systems training and equipment allocation. The induction includes opportunities to meet the executive team, senior managers and attend drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing, and key processes. Induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Team Details

The South-East Essex MHST covers a large geographical area including Castle Point and Rochford, Canvey and Southend. We are an early intervention and prevention service, supportive and passionate about our work. We value healthy work-life balance and consider flexible working in line with Trust policies. We encourage CPD and support staff in growth and progression. We are a welcoming, compassionate and considerate team dedicated to improving the mental health of our community.

Qualifications for the Post

The post-holder will be a graduate qualified health care professional or have EMHP/CWP qualifications and be fully registered with the appropriate body. They will have extensive clinical experience working with CYP with emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties. The successful applicant will have completed or be supported to complete the SWP or CYP IAPT Low Intensity Supervisor course.

Sponsorship and AI

We are a registered sponsor organisation, but sponsorship is not offered for all roles. Please check eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS is not included.

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

Closing Date

This advert closes on Monday 13 Oct 2025.