Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)

Summary and purpose of the Job

In line with policy to increase the access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support, we are seeking to recruit two graduate level (or equivalent) practitioners to provide CBT based guided self-help and parenting interventions to children and young people. They will be taught to deliver evidence based 1:1 and group interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The post holder will use their newly developing skills to support children and young people who are referred into the service and trainees will receive supervision to support their professional development.

Applicants will need to be ready to start work by 6th January 2027, with training commencing on the 18th January 2027. Posts cannot be offered to candidates unless they can guarantee this start date.

Candidates will also need to submit an application form to KCL for a place on the Diploma in Education Mental Health Practice. The KCL application guidance and programme brochure are attached. Please make sure to submit an application to KCL at the same time as your application for a post.

If you have any questions regarding the KCL application, please contact KCL directly.

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification before applying for the role, and address how you meet these criteria in your application.

Main duties of the job

Under supervision and with support, to develop knowledge and practice skills in:

• Delivering evidence-based interventions (such as guided self-help) for children and young people in education settings with mild to moderate mental health problems as part of West London Minds MHST.
• Helping children and young people within these education settings who present with more severe problems to access / be signposted to more specialist services.

• Supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify, and where appropriate manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing.

• Developing an awareness of and engagement with issues of power, discrimination and diversity throughout the systems where the work is carried out.

• Fulfilling the requirements of, and completing, a PG diploma at Kings College London to enable progression to a fully qualified EMHP; evidence development of clinical skills with associated knowledge acquisition to record and evidence progression towards this academic award and demonstrable practical ability.

You will have:

• Qualification: The candidate must hold a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant academic subject (e.g. Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc)

OR

• Relevant professional experience in CYP Mental Health/Education/Mentorship (to be considered on a case-by-case basis)

You will also have:

• Previous experience of working with children and young people
• Knowledge of the educational system in England
• Ability to personally manage a sensitive caseload
• Commitment to using data and relevant measures to assess clinical outcomes
• Ability to study as a self-motivated learner who can formulate their own progress towards learning objectives and negotiate pathways to achievement with supervisory teams
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously and cohesively as part of a team
• Good time management and organisational skills
• Ability to use feedback and adapt accordingly

Please read the Job Description attached before applying and ensure your application clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria.