MHST Education Mental Health Practitioner / CWP

Job summary

Come and join our friendly, supportive team making a difference to the lives of children and young people. NELFT is the largest providers of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England. The MHSTs deliver evidence-based individual and group interventions in educational settings for children experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties aged 5 to 18 years old. The teams also have a strong focus on whole school approaches to improve mental health outcomes for children and young people. The South-West Essex MHST covers a large geographical area incorporating the districts of Thurrock, Basildon and Brentwood and Billericay. We are an early intervention and prevention evidence-based service and as a team we are supportive and passionate in what we deliver. We are a friendly team of professionals who come from multidisciplinary backgrounds. We recognise the needs for a healthy work life balance, and we will consider flexible working applications in line with the trust policies and process. We are a welcoming, compassionate and considerate team, that work incredibly hard to support one another to improve the mental health of our community. Our localities cover large areas so you will need access to a vehicle and have the ability to travel efficiently across the county.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work in partnership with schools, to support children, young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and their families in the self-management of presenting difficulties. They will work in partnership with schools, children, young people, and families in the development of plans for the intervention and agreed outcomes. Practitioners will work as autonomous and responsible clinicians within their scope of practice, alongside education colleagues. They will be experienced in the delivery of interventions to support CYP in primary, secondary and higher education settings. The practitioner will complete comprehensive assessments, risk assessments, care plans and reviews. They will be proficient in using Routine Outcome Measures (ROMS) and clinical tools to gather feedback and guide clinical practice, with opportunities for service provision planning and mapping with schools to inform the delivery of support to CYP. The post holder will be supported to work alongside other EMHPs/CWPs in educational settings, as well as working alongside more Senior Mental Health Practitioners to support learning and development. There will be opportunities for individual work, group work and consultation. We offer all staff a robust supervision framework to support with their clinical development.

About us

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex. We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.

Details

• Date posted: 11 September 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: PHX-3EL-002044
• Job locations: Phoenix House, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3EZ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are looking for a Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners or a Qualified Children's Wellbeing Practitioners to join the teams and work with us to develop the service further and ensure we meet the core components.

• Whole School Approach
• Targeted Treatment (main evidence base is low intensity CBT individual and group)
• Consultation and Liaison

You will be providing:

• Assessment and Treatment of Children and Young People under MHST 3 core functions (Targeted intervention, Whole School approach and Consultation and Liaison)
• Work as part of a team with a set number of schools to deliver the core components of the service.
• Actively participate in local and county wide meetings and supervision forums

We encourage Continual Professional Development (CPD) and are keen to support our staff to grow and progress.

Essential criteria

• Successful completion of the HEE/NHSE commissioned 1yr Education Mental Health Practitioner’ course/Children's Wellbeing Practitioner course.
• Appropriate registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a low intensity practitioner or you are able to demonstrate you are in process of application with the BABCP or BPS

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 focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Goodmayes, Essex.

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).

High Cost Area Supplement – Fringe (Basildon, Thurrock, Brentwood, Harlow and Dartford only) This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £1,346 to a maximum of £2,270 p.a. pro rata for part time)

Working for Us Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.