Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust; Dartford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

In line with the government’s priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, there are new recruit to train positions within the children’s mental health services; Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) roles.

These posts are held within the Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams (MHST). For further information, please use the link below:

Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

EMHPs within these teams provide low intensity interventions based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and guided self-help. Trainee EMHPs are taught these interventions while also learning more about the MHST programme and children and young peoples’ mental health.

Advertised EMHP training roles will be within MHST based in Dartford, Dartford outskirts, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and surrounding locality, based in Kent and Medway.

Applicants need to be ready to start work on 1st September 2025 and posts cannot be offered to candidates unless they can guarantee this start date.

All candidates will need to undertake an initial application process with NELFT. If successful in this first stage, then candidates will need to apply to the University of Sussex EMHP training programme before the job offer is made.

Throughout the training year and under clinical supervision, you will develop knowledge and practice skills to employ a range of evidence-based interventions for mental health difficulties. This is delivered via direct individual and group support for children, young people and their families, in line with NHS and University expectations. The NHS team uses a blend of face-to-face interventions along with online/digital support as part of what is offered (e.g. support via video and telephone calls).

During the training year, the role will have both academic and practical elements. These will include face-to-face work in different settings across Kent and Medway, which can include schools and other settings accessed by young people.

Candidates will need to travel between school sites/clinical sites as well as to the University of Sussex in order to undertake the university course and practical elements of the job role (business travel will be reimbursed).

On successful completion of training, Trainee EMHPs will be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and capabilities to work as qualified EMHP as autonomous and responsible practitioners within their scope of practice, alongside their clinical team (MHSTs).

Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff). The first contract received is a fixed term training contract that will support the candidate to completion of the course. On successful completion of the course the candidate will be offered without interview a permanent position within their locality.

Starting with NELFT
NELFT place 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 focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex (please be aware of the need to utilise the Dartford crossing and of ULEZ charges). Candidates require business insurance when travelling by car to claim both travel and the above charges via expenses.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Stephen Kumi-Yeboah Job title: Operational Manager Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 07764972142