Band 4 Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner - Bristol

Job overview

Our Mental Health Support Team are seeking to recruit a new wave of Trainee Mental Health Education Practitioners. This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic and growing Mental Health Support Team, which provides mental health support in schools across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. Our team is a partnership between Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership and children and young people’s charity Off The Record.

The post-holders will be part of the Mental Health Schools Team (MHST) delivering, under supervision, high-quality, outcome-informed, evidence-based low intensity cognitive behaviour (CBT) interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, low mood and behavioural difficulties.  The training and service experience will equip the post holders with the necessary knowledge, attitude and capabilities to ensure that children and young people will have access to high quality, evidence based mental health support.

You will automatically enrolled and be expected to complete the PG/PCERT Education Mental Health Practitioner training at Exeter University. Upon successful completion of the course you will move to a Qualified EMHP Band 5 position.

If you would like further details details on the course and entry requirements we will be holding webinars on Tuesday 21st July at 5:30pm and Thursday 23rd July at 12:00pm. Please contact [email protected] to request a link.

Main duties of the job

We will be looking for the following attributes in you:

• You will have a knowledge and understanding of why you want to become a CBT practitioner and be prepared to commit to a busy year of combining study with practice.
• You have  2 years experience of working with children/ young people, preferably in educational, social care or health provider settings.
• You have the ability to travel between your allocated schools, the office and various other locations in the BNSSG area.
• You have an awareness and commitment to working from an anti-oppressive approach. This includes a commitment of working towards equitable access of mental health services.
• You will have excellent communication skills and be prepared to network with many agencies.
• You are passionate about participation and including children/ young people and their families  in aspects of our design and delivery.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The EMHP trainee undertakes a 12-month Post Graduate/Graduate training designed to develop the clinical competencies and knowledge in order to proficiently practice as an EMHP, as determined by the relevant national curriculum for the EMHP Programme. Specifically, to develop skills in assessment, low intensity evidence-based interventions alongside the core competencies required to work with CYP presenting with anxiety, low mood and behavioural difficulties. The EMHP will also learn the key skills in auditing and consultation within an educational setting to help promote whole school change and participation.

The programme will also focus upon an understanding of ways to adapt clinical practice with children, young people and parents/carers to accommodate diversity and increase access to evidence-based psychological therapies. A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon personal and professional development.