Education Mental Health Practitioner

Job summary

Join our Healthy Heads Mental Health Support Team and help make a lasting difference to the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people across Sunderland.

We are excited to be recruiting two qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) to join our established and supportive Mental Health Support Teams. These posts offer a rewarding opportunity to work at the heart of schools, delivering early intervention, promoting emotional wellbeing, and helping to create environments where children and young people can thrive.

We are seeking enthusiastic, compassionate and motivated practitioners who are passionate about improving mental health outcomes through prevention, early intervention and partnership working. As part of the national Mental Health Support Team programme, you will work directly with schools, children, young people and families, while contributing to the development of a positive whole-school approach to mental health.

Applicants must hold the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing in the Education Environment and be registered with, or eligible for registration with, the BABCP or BPS within six months of appointment.

If you are a qualified EMHP looking to develop your skills within a forward-thinking service and play a key role in transforming mental health support for children and young people, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As a qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP), you will play a vital role in improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

Working within our Mental Health Support Teams, you will deliver the three core functions of the national MHST programme by:

• Delivering evidence-based low-intensity CBT interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, low mood and emotional wellbeing difficulties.
• Championing a whole-school approach to mental health, working in partnership with education settings to create positive, inclusive and mentally healthy environments through workshops, assemblies and wellbeing initiatives.
• Providing consultation, advice and support to school staff, helping them respond confidently and effectively to the mental health needs of their pupils.

You will also contribute to a high-quality programme of training and group interventions for children, young people, and parents, helping to build resilience and promote early intervention.

Applicants must have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing in the Education Environment.

Based across schools, NHS sites and community venues, this is a rewarding opportunity to join a supportive and innovative service dedicated to transforming outcomes for children and young people.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Lisa Mundell, Clinical Lead, on 0191 5243553 or email l.mundell@nhs.net.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details

• Date posted: 19 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 5
• Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: C9155-CMAHP-1026-39
• Job locations: The Hetton Centre, Hetton-Le-Hole, Houghton Le Spring, DH5 9NE, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

To work as a member of the Mental Health Support Team in South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust providing an Education based mental health service to children and young people.

This includes the direct provision of evidence-based interventions and outcome focused standards of care to children and families/carers.

The delivery of high-quality training, consultation, and support to other Education staff.

To deliver a Whole School Approach to developing positive culture of mental health within the school environment.

The service will be delivered from Education bases as an integral part of an agreed iTHRIVE multi-agency model of Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service provision.

Work collaboratively with multi professional teams to ensure practice is efficient, effective, evidence based and safe

This will be achieved by:

• Listening to and understanding the community
• Bringing people together to develop a shared local vision with service users as equal partners
• Assessing community assets, resources, needs and issues
• Empowering community members to identify local issues and articulate solutions
• Linking in with Community Mental Health Services (i.e. CYPS, IAPT, CTT)

The post holder will ensure they uphold our Trust vision, values and behaviours.

To promote at all times a positive image of children and young people with mental health conditions.

To promote at all times a positive image of the specialist service area and the wider Trust.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).