Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner

Job overview

As part of the expansion of Mental Health Support Teams nationwide, we are delighted that Surrey was successful in obtaining further funding to expand our MHST across Surrey . We therefore invite you to consider being involved in this exciting opportunity to help to deliver the government vision and commitment to developing integrated mental health teams in schools.

Each MHST is co-located in a carefully selected group of schools within their Borough of Surrey, with services delivered across a cluster of schools for each area. In other words, we will have MHSTs working within each of the 11 Boroughs of Surrey - Epsom, Spelthorne, Reigate and Banstead, Elmbridge, Surrey Heath, Woking, Runnymede, Guildford, Waverley, Tandridge and Mole Valley.

We have established teams in every district and borough in Surrey, supporting schools.  Teams will be further developed to support identified colleges.  We have trainee vacancies in the following teams:

• Mole Valley and Epsom based at SABP Trust HQ in Leatherhead
• Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge based at Gatton Place, Redhill.
• Elmbridge based at Unither House in Chertsey or SABP Trust Headquarters in Leatherhead
• Runnymede and Spelthorne based at Unither House in Chertsey

Main duties of the job

As a trainee EMHP you will be expected to work under supervision as part of a dynamic integrated mental health team.  You will spend two days a week studying at the University and three days on placement in schools. Over the course of the training year you will, under supervision, develop knowledge and practice skills to employ a range of evidence based interventions for common mental health problems via direct individual and group support for children, young people and their parents, in line with the university expectations. This approach requires creativity, flexibility and adaptability, and above all a passion for working with children and young people in educational settings.

Successful candidates will apply to Sussex University for a place on the 1 year PG Dip in Education Mental Health Practice, starting in September 2026. It is a requirement for this role to complete and pass this course within 12-18 months.

The trainee EMHP posts are training positions and during this training period you will be employed as a Band 4. On successful completion of the course and qualification as an EMHP, employees should then register with BABCP or BPS as an EMHP.  This will then allow employees to become permanent Band 5 EMHP's within their teams  .

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the job description attached.

Please note: You will be required to travel between various sites within Surrey for this role and twice a week to the University

Subject to reasonable adjustments in respect of any disability, the post holder must possess a valid driving license and be able to drive and have the unrestricted use of a car or motorcycle for work at all times including community based work.

Due to the funding for the university course, which is completed as part of the role, we can only offer the role to UK residents as we do not have funding in place for overseas students.

This is a full time role and we operate all year around.