Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner

Job overview

In partnership with Derby University,  a  successful candidate will be offered a full-time educational programme, funded at NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 4 level, gaining credits towards a Post-Graduate Diploma qualification, plus employment on successful completion of training, with a starting salary projected to be on the NHS Band 5 scale.  These posts will cover the Seisdon area & be based within Seisdon.

Applicants must demonstrate in their application the ability to work at degree level or have an equivalent level of relevant experience, with a proven record of previous learning or formal study in child development, wellbeing or mental health. Further to that experience of working with children & young people and an understanding of the educational system in England is highly desirable.

The training programme for this post starts Jan 2026, is 12 months in duration and consists of academic and supervised practice learning across mental health services and educational settings, such as primary and secondary schools, Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and further education colleges.

Delivery of the programme will be provided through a combination of in-person learning, independent self-guided study days and experience gained in education wellbeing and mainstream mental health services.

You’ll be trained to help children and young people manage common mental health problems, particularly mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Main duties of the job

• The trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) roles are funded through the government’s priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people.
• You will be trained to assess and support children and young people (C&YP) with common mental health difficulties, particularly mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety, depression and behavioural difficulties.
• You will offer a range of low intensity interventions, 1-1 or in groups, primarily in a school or college setting that are based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and guided self-help.
• You will also have the opportunity to develop whole school approaches in collaboration with educational staff and through co-production with children, young people and carers. This focuses on promotion of mental health and wellbeing through delivery of group interventions, assemblies etc.
• The training programme for this post starts in January 2026, is 12 months in duration and will consist of academic and supervised practice.  As a trainee you will spend part of your week studying at Derby University and part of your week in service consolidating your learning into practice and developing relationships with schools.
• Delivery of the taught programme will be provided through a combination of taught days at Derby University, independent self-guided study days and clinical experience gained in school settings and within the Mental Health Support Team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

If your recent application for this role was not successful, we kindly ask that you do not reapply at this time.

Please find attached the job description and person/role  specification.

Please find further information on the role here: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles-psychological-therapies/education-mental-health-practitioner

Please note: Due to the expected volume of applications, we will not be able to send you a personal response but only communicate with you if your application is successful. We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward for this vacancy at any time should we receive an overwhelming number of applications. We therefore encourage applicants to apply early if you wish to be considered for this post.