Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust is recruiting for an exciting role within the Children’s & Young People’s Mental Health service. You will start on a full-time one-year training contract (AfC Band 4) delivering CBT-informed guided self-help for mild to moderate mental health problems, while earning a funded Diploma at the University of East Anglia.

You will work with parents/carers, schools, and Education settings, and upon successful completion, a permanent AfC Band 5 EMHP contract

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in child development, wellbeing, psychology, mental health or education.
• Experience with children and young people and understanding of the educational system in England.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based early interventions for children, young people and families.
• Work with parents/carers and schools to support Whole School and College Approach to Mental Health.
• Complete a funded Diploma at the University of East Anglia during clinical practice within MHST.

Skills

Child development

Working with children and young people

Education system knowledge (England)

Education

Degree-level qualification in child development/psychology/education

Job description

Do you want to be part of an exciting and dynamic children’s & young people’s Mental Health service, in an ‘Outstanding’ rated NHS Trust? We're looking for people who are passionate about high quality, early intervention mental health care.

The role is an exciting opportunity to deliver evidence-based early interventions for children, young people and their families, working across Educational and Healthcare settings.

You’ll receive training in delivering Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) informed guided self-help for mild to moderate mental health problems. You’ll gain a (funded) Diploma at the University of East Anglia, whilst working clinically within a new or established Mental Health Support Team (MHST).

Clinical work will be with parents/carers and secondary school aged young persons. You’ll work closely with education settings, supporting their ‘Whole School and College Approach’ to Mental Health.

You’ll be employed on a full-time one-year training contract, Band 4. On completion of the training year (passing UEA & service requirements), a permanent Band 5 EMHP contract will be offered. You’ll be required to successfully complete a probation period of 6 months.

Positions will be available across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

We encourage you to watch these two short videos which give an insight into the role.

https://vimeo.com/1025188355/1f4f81358c

https://vimeo.com/1025187857/26f100bb55

Interviews will take place in person on the 4th and 5th November 2026

The interview process will involve completing a short practical task followed by an interview. Further details of the task and copies of the interview questions will be issued 24hrs prior to the interviews. Please note some questions will be withheld until your interview. This must be attended in person for consideration for appointment.

Successful candidates will be employed by East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust who deliver MHST services across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.

During the training year you will need to attend 64 University days, mostly in person at UEA.

Successful candidates will be employed on a full time 1-year training contract at Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 4. Once passing UEA requirements, service requirements & probationary period, a permanent AfC Band 5 EMHP contract will be offered.

Applicants must demonstrate in their application the ability to work at degree level or have an equivalent level of relevant experience, with a record of previous learning or formal study in child development, wellbeing, psychology, mental health or education.

Experience of working with children & young people and an understanding of the educational system in England is highly desirable. Applicants must be able to demonstrate they can balance the conflicting demands of academic study & clinical work.

• You must hold a FULL valid driving licence (not a provisional) and have access to a motorised vehicle as regular travel is required to multiple schools*

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.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Jen Perna Job title: Clinical & Team Lead-Hunts & St Neots MHST Email address: [e-mail]