Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) | Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Overview

Do you want to be part of an exciting, dynamic and expanding children’s & young people’s Mental Health service in an ‘Outstanding’ rated NHS Trust? We are looking for people who are passionate about high quality, early intervention mental health care.

The role is an exciting opportunity to deliver evidence-based early interventions for children, young people and their families, working across Educational and Healthcare settings. You will receive training in delivering Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) informed guided self-help for mild to moderate mental health problems and gain a (funded) Diploma at the University of East Anglia, whilst working clinically within either a new or established Mental Health Support Team (MHST).

If the child is primary school aged, clinical work will mostly be with parents/carers; if the young person is secondary school aged, the clinical work will mostly be with the young person. You will work closely with education settings, supporting their ‘Whole School Approach’ to Mental Health.

You will be employed on a full-time one-year training contract, Band 4. Upon successful completion of the training year (passing UEA & service requirements), a permanent Band 5 EMHP contract will be offered.

This is a two-part interview process, both parts must be attended for consideration for successful appointment. Part 1 and Part 2 have specified dates.

Part 1

4th, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 19th September

Part 2

24th September, all day

Successful candidates will be employed by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, delivering MHST services across Cambridge and Peterborough.

During the training year, post holders will participate in 64 University days. The delivery method is likely to be a blend of face-to-face learning (travel to the University of East Anglia in Norwich) and online delivery.

All applicants must demonstrate 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, psychology, mental health or education. Experience of working with children and young people and an understanding of the educational system in England is highly desirable. Applicants must balance academic study and clinical work.

Should we receive a high number of applications, we will close the advert from 14 August 2025.

Job Details

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we provide high quality, innovative services across the east of England. Our staff are highly rated in the national staff survey. All are welcome to apply; our culture prioritises staff engagement and development.

Job Responsibilities

To allow the postholder, under supervision and with support, to develop knowledge and practice skills in:

1. Delivering evidence-based interventions for children and young people in educational settings with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
2. Assisting children and young people with more severe problems to access specialist services rapidly.
3. Supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify and manage mental health and wellbeing issues.
4. Working with education environments to improve access to specialist mental health services.
5. Documenting skill development and progress towards an academic award with demonstrable practical ability.

Main Duties

• Therapeutic assessment and intervention: be supervised to assess and deliver outcome-focused, evidence-based interventions in educational settings for children and young people with mild to moderate difficulties.
• Support children, young people, families and educators in self-management of presenting difficulties.
• Develop and practice skills to collaboratively create intervention plans and outcomes with children, young people and educators.
• Enable co-production of care plans with children/young people and parents/carers where appropriate.
• Demonstrate an inclusive values base and respect for diversity in assessments and interventions.
• Under supervision, manage referrals and follow local/national processes.
• Under supervision, conduct risk assessments to keep people safe.
• Adhere to education service protocols and signpost to relevant services for complex needs.
• Engage in supervision to define scope of practice and safe working within that scope.
• Provide information and support for evidence-based psychological treatments, primarily guided self-help.
• Manage a caseload in conjunction with the team’s requirements.
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings as appropriate to referrals and service development.
• Maintain coherent training and clinical records to inform decision making and outcomes data.
• Complete data collection requirements and demonstrate collaborative working with teachers, families and the community to enhance access to services.
• Contribute to development of clinical and training materials within the degree of competence.

Training and Supervision

• Attend all training requirements, including practical, academic and practice-based assessments; private study for at least one day per week.
• Apply learning to practice; receive tutoring to meet required standards.
• Prepare and present caseload information to supervisors to ensure safe practice and governance.
• Respond to supervisor feedback and engage in personal development supervision.
• Participate in course evaluation, dissemination of research and service evaluation findings.

Professional

• Maintain professional practice standards and confidentiality.
• Adhere to new guidelines from relevant departments; identify objectives with supervisors for ongoing development.
• Keep records up to date for CPD; participate in annual appraisal and development planning.
• Attend relevant educational opportunities aligned with objectives.

Communication

Effective written and verbal communication with a wide range of audiences, including senior management, and children, young people and families.

Research & Development

• Use evidence-based literature and research to support practice; participate in audits.

Clinical and Practice Governance

• Collaborate with health and social care agencies to review cases and ensure effective progression through the care pathway.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with Data Protection Act/regulations.
• Be accountable to Clinical Team Lead for service delivery across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
• Undertake mandatory training and participate in clinical and safeguarding audits.
• Participate in emergency preparedness and adhere to Information Governance policies.
• Adhere to risk assessment and management processes; communicate safety concerns as needed.
• Maintain infection control standards and CPD; participate in annual appraisal and supervision.
• Record meetings and supervision; ensure clinical records are up to date.
• Provide information to patients and families about service standards; participate in clinical supervision.

This advert closes on Sunday 24 Aug 2025