Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner

Overview

This is a 12 months fixed term post commencing in January 2026. Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity to work within Child and Adolescent Mental Health? Are you looking for a challenge? Do you have the motivation, skills and leadership experience to work within Sunderland’s Mental Health Support Team? If so, this could be the opportunity for you.

We have new and exciting opportunities to be part of Sunderland’s Mental Health Support Team. The Health Heads Team as a Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner is a training post in conjunction with Northumbria University. The trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) will work closely with schools across Sunderland to support the delivery of the national Mental Health Support Team (MHST) model. MHSTs are school based mental health services focusing on early intervention and prevention, offering Low Intensity CBT interventions for mild to moderate difficulties, supporting the development of the whole school approach and offering consultation, advice and training. EMHPs work on a 1:1 basis, with parents/carers and deliver groups in the education setting.

To access the university course potential candidates will need to be educated to degree level and have experience of working with children and young people ideally in a school environment. Candidates who are successful at shortlisting will be invited to an open morning prior to interview.

Main duties of the job

We have a fantastic opportunity within our Sunderland Mental Health Support Team to train as an Education Mental Health Practitioner. The post holder will be expected to commit to training at Northumbria University whilst working with schools within our Mental Health Support Team to gain the knowledge and clinical experience in order to achieve a PostGraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Studies in the Education Environment and qualify as an Education Mental Health Practitioner. Our EMHPs work across Sunderland schools to support the implementation of the National Mental Health Support Team model, supporting children and young people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing needs.

The post holder will work in our established teams to fulfil all 3 functions of a Mental Health Support Team including the delivery of Low-Intensity CBT (LICBT) evidence-based interventions, in particular around anxiety and low mood. They will work collaboratively with schools to deliver Whole School Approach, build positive mental health culture, awareness and emotional resilience through workshops, assemblies, and whole school activities, and they will work with educators to provide regular consultation and timely advice around children and young people’s mental health.

If this is an opportunity you are interested in please contact Lisa Mundell (Clinical Lead) for an informal conversation on 01912 832936 or email l.mundell@nhs.net

About us

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce’s health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Job responsibilities

• For the post holder to work as a member of the Healthy Minds Team in South Tyneside providing school based mental health service to children and young people in the borough.
• For the post holder to be part of the Lifecycle Service which includes the Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) and Adults Talking Therapies.
• For the post holder to work with children and young people who have a range of common mental health problems predominantly in the school environment in a training capacity.
• For the post holder to use evidence-based interventions as per clinical training (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), to deliver evidence-based group work interventions to parents, children and young people, support schools in the development and delivery of whole school approach, and support education staff with consultation, advice, signposting and training.
• For the post holder to work with children and young people from different cultural backgrounds and underserved populations, using interpreters when necessary and be committed to providing equal opportunities.
• For the post holder to meet targets that are set within the service.
• For the post holder to successfully undertake training on the Postgraduate in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Studies in the Education Environment at Northumbria University and completed within 12 months.

Person Specification

• Experience of working to support the mental health needs of children, young people and their families.
• Experience of working within the community and/or education settings.
• Knowledge and experience of safeguarding and the promotion of welfare in children and young people.
• Experience of working in a Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service.
• Experience of working in a service where agreed targets are in place and demonstrates clinical outcomes.

• Knowledge of universal and specialist children's mental health service provision.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other associated IT packages.
• Proven organisational skills.
• Proven time and caseload management skills.
• Able to write clear reports and letters. Demonstrates a high standard in both written and oral communication.
• Ability to engage vulnerable and underserved populations.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to work flexibly in a variety of environments.
• Ability to work under supervision and make good use of the supervisory process for personal and clinical development.
• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how this may present in children and young people.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the need for evidence-based psychological therapies.
• Received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of child development and the links with childhood mental health.

• Be educated to degree level in order to access the Post Graduate Diploma course as per the University requirements.
• Willingness to undertake and successfully complete training in the Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Studies in the Education Environment at Northumbria University, within 12 months.
• Apply for professional registration with governing body (BABCP/BPS) upon qualification.
• Psychology or other related Honors degree.
• Professional qualification in teaching, nursing, social work, AHP, Counselling or within a psychological therapy.

• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
• Ability to manage own time and diary and meet requirements and demands of the training course and work within the service.
• The ability to, on occasion, move and handle objects in line with Trust guidelines using appropriate aids.
• The ability to work flexibly sometimes working additional or unsocial hours as necessary to meet the needs of the service and ensure a complete understanding is had in relation to care delivery.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.