Educational Mental Health Practitioner in Huddersfield

Do you have experience working with children with a mental health issue and are looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people within the Kirklees area? Would you like to be part of a diverse and innovative service that offers mental health support in an educational setting? We are seeking applicants to join our Mental Health Support Team who work across schools in Kirklees. This role is part of the Children and Young Peoples Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (CYP IAPT), a service transformation programme delivered by Health Education England and partners that aims to improve existing children and young people’s mental health services in the community.

As an Educational Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) you will work in both education and healthcare settings to support children and young people with mental ill‑health, delivering evidence‑based, brief, outcome‑focused interventions and guided self‑help for those experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

• Assess and deliver, under supervision, outcome‑focused, evidence‑based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
• Work in partnership with children, young people, families and schools to support the self‑management of presenting difficulties, co‑design intervention plans, and empower informed choice.
• Operate from an inclusive, values‑driven platform that recognises and respects diversity.
• Accept referrals within agreed national and local protocols and, where required, signpost unsuitable referrals to the relevant service.
• Under supervision, undertake accurate risk assessments of self‑harm and harm to others, escalating cases that exceed scope or increase in severity.
• Provide a range of evidence‑based psychological treatments, primarily guided self‑help, from face‑to‑face, telephone or other media.
• Adhere to the activity contract for the overall number of contacts and sessions per week, enhancing timely access and reducing waiting times.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings related to referrals or treatment where appropriate.
• Keep coherent records of all activity in line with service protocols, using outcome data to inform decisions.
• Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education and training/employment into the therapeutic process.
• Work collaboratively with a range of relevant professionals, including interagency partners, to widen access to care.
• Facilitate workshops for young people, parents, carers and school staff, and liaise with school mental health leads to enable whole‑school approaches.

• At least one year of experience delivering low‑intensity, evidence‑based CBT interventions for mild to moderate mental health issues.
• At least one year of experience working in both health and educational settings.
• Experience of consultation and liaison with education and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Desirable: Experience of service development and forging new working relationships within a complex interagency framework.

• Good working knowledge of nationally agreed routine outcome measures within the CYP‑IAPT Programme.
• Working knowledge of the educational system and of child development, wellbeing or mental health.
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues, legal frameworks, capacity and consent issues when working with young people.
• Knowledge of the whole‑school approach to mental health.
• Desirable: Knowledge of other neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, service pathways, and how contextual factors influence child and young people’s mental health.

• HEE Postgraduate Diploma in Education Mental Health Practice for children & young people.
• Relevant qualification or experience within an educational setting.
• Desirable: A related degree qualification.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deliver low‑intensity, evidence‑based interventions under supervision.
• Capacity to devise and deliver group‑based interventions to children and young people.
• Ability to deliver parent‑led interventions where children have a mental health need.
• Computer literate with the ability to keep clinical records to a high standard.
• Desirable: Skilled at engaging and building relationships with children, young people and parents; collaborative teamwork with partners and agencies.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required to confirm no adverse records.

Applicants must hold current UK professional registration. For further information, see the NHS Careers website.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants use AI technology to generate responses on NHS job application forms. Over‑reliance on AI‑generated content is strongly discouraged, and a comprehensive screening process will be conducted before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you use AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Employer Details: South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust, Folly Hall Mills, St Thomas Road, Huddersfield, HD1 3LT.