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- Tasks: Support children and young people with mental health challenges through therapeutic sessions and group interventions.
- Company: Join NELFT, the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams in England.
- Benefits: Flexible working, ongoing training, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified EMHP or CWP with experience in educational settings.
- Other info: Travel across Colchester, Clacton, and Harwich; work in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At NELFT, we’re proud to be the largest provider of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in England. Our services across Southend, Essex, and Thurrock currently support over 150 schools, delivering vital mental health care to children and young people aged 4 to 18.
Our MHSTs offer evidence-based individual and group interventions within educational settings, helping children manage mild to moderate mental health challenges. We’re deeply committed to whole-school approaches that foster lasting, positive mental health outcomes across entire communities.
We’re Growing — And We Want You on Our Team
Our North-East MHST Is Looking For Passionate, Qualified Practitioners To Join Our Service. If You Hold a Qualification In One Of The Following, We’d Love To Hear From You
- Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
- Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP)
Why Join Us?
- Early intervention & prevention at the heart of everything we do
- Friendly, inclusive culture where your voice matters
- Flexible working options to support your work-life balance
- Ongoing CPD opportunities to help you grow and thrive
- A supportive environment where we lift each other up and work together to improve mental health in our community
As a Practitioner, You’ll Work In Close Partnership With Schools, Helping Children And Young People (CYP) Aged 4–18 Manage Mild To Moderate Mental Health Difficulties. You’ll Also Support Their Families In Building Confidence And Resilience Through
- 1:1 therapeutic sessions
- Group interventions
- Whole-school mental health initiatives
What You’ll Be Doing
- Delivering evidence-based interventions in primary, secondary, and higher education settings
- Conducting comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments, care plans, and reviews
- Using Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs) and clinical tools to guide and improve practice
- Collaborating with schools to map and plan service delivery tailored to their needs
- Working alongside fellow EMHPs/CWPs and Senior Mental Health Practitioners to support your development
What We’re Looking For
- You’ll be a qualified EMHP or CWP, confident in working independently within your scope of practice, and experienced in supporting CYP in educational environments. You’ll bring compassion, clinical skill, and a collaborative spirit to everything you do.
- You must be able to travel across Colchester, Clacton and Harwich (vehicle access required)
What We Offer
- A supportive, multidisciplinary team
- Opportunities for Continual Professional Development (CPD)
- Support to register with BABCP or BPS during your probationary period
- Flexible working options to support your wellbeing
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).
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 in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Base
This post requires the successful applicant to work agilely between NELFT sites and educational settings. For applicant to have the ability to work independently is an important factor. Some travel around the county is also expected. The nominated base for North East Essex is 900 The Crescent, Colchester.
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Sarah McGuinness Job title: Operational Manager (Mental Health Support Team) Email address: sarah.mcguinness@nelft.nhs.uk
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Education Mental Health Practitioner/Children\'s Wellbeing Practitioner employer: NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
NELFT NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Mental Health Practitioner/Children\'s Wellbeing Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and mental health sectors. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your experience with children and young people, especially any evidence-based interventions you've delivered. This will help you stand out when chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Before interviews, do some mock sessions with friends or family. Focus on articulating your approach to supporting CYP and how you collaborate with schools. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our team at NELFT. Keep an eye on our job listings and make sure your application reflects your commitment to making a difference in mental health.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Mental Health Practitioner/Children\'s Wellbeing Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of an Education Mental Health Practitioner. We want to see how you can bring compassion and clinical skill to support children and young people!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t forget to include specific examples of your past work with children and young people in educational settings. We love seeing how you've made a difference in their lives, so share those success stories!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application! We value a friendly and inclusive culture, so being genuine about your passion for mental health and supporting families will definitely catch our eye.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the key responsibilities of the role, especially around supporting children and young people with mental health difficulties. Brush up on evidence-based interventions and be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these in your previous roles.
✨Show Your Compassion
This role is all about empathy and support. Be prepared to share examples of how you've demonstrated compassion in your work, whether through 1:1 sessions or group interventions. Highlighting your ability to connect with CYP and their families will set you apart.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since this position involves working closely with schools and other practitioners, think of examples where you’ve successfully collaborated in a team. Discuss how you’ve contributed to service delivery and tailored approaches to meet specific needs.
✨Be Ready to Travel
As travel is part of the job, mention your flexibility and readiness to move between different sites. If you have experience working in various educational settings, share that too. It shows you can adapt and thrive in different environments.
