Overview
Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHCFT) has an opportunity to recruit trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioners to join the Northumberland Be You Mental Health Support Team. These training posts build on the success of the Be You teams in Hexham, Blyth, Bedlington, Ashington, Alnwick, Coquet, Cramlington and Seaton Valley. Post holders will be trained to deliver the 3 core functions within the existing partnership of schools.
During the training year you will develop core skills and knowledge in the 3 core functions of a mental health in schools team, including low intensity, individual and group evidence-based interventions in school settings. You will provide advice and support to improve whole school approaches to the emotional well-being of pupils, support staff training, consultation, and signposting to other services with support from Senior Wellbeing Practitioners. You will work with Be You OTs, Peer Mentors and Designated Senior Mental Health Leads in schools, and collaborate with partners including Northumberland Council, Educational Psychologists and Cygnus.
Responsibilities
* Provide advice, support and signposting to schools to ensure children have access to appropriate emotional well-being and mental health support across pathways in Northumberland.
* Support schools and Be You team members to deliver whole-school approaches to promote positive well-being and evidence-based prevention programs.
* Engage in staff training, supervision, and development of clinical materials, under supervisory guidance.
* Under supervision, undertake accurate risk assessments and support signposting for more complex needs.
* Facilitate junior staff and teachers in identifying and managing mild to moderate mental health difficulties; support and coproduce plans of care with children, families and educators as appropriate.
* Contribute to the development of individual or group clinical materials and training materials within own scope of competence.
* Ensure confidentiality is maintained and risks to safety are communicated to appropriate parties.
* Work within the Primary Mental Health Work Service and commence a 12-month Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Studies in Education Environment (EMHP) at the University of Northumbria Newcastle in January 2026.
Training and Qualifications
* 12-month training programme on the Postgraduate Diploma in EMHP at the University of Northumbria, commencing January 2026.
* Meet the work experience entry requirements for the Trust and the academic requirements for the University of Northumbria at Newcastle.
* Entry to the programme is through a value-based interview; successful applicants will be employed as trainee EMHPs with NHCFT.
* We require compliance with FPPR pre-employment checks as per CQC and NHS England guidance.
* Applicants who are Armed Forces members or have a disability requiring support may be interviewed under the Trust’s interview guarantee scheme.
Employment and Professional Development
* This post falls within Agenda for Change Annex 20—Development of Professional Roles; completion of a competency set may permit progression to the next pay band without applying for a higher post.
* Post holders will be placed within the Primary Mental Health Work Service and will study for the EMHP qualification during the programme.
* Two ticks disability status and other diversity considerations are recognised; strong commitment to equal opportunities and inclusion.
Helpful Information
Further information on Annex 20 is available at: http://www.nhsemployers.org/tchandbook/annex-16-to-20/annex-20-development-of-professional-roles
If you require any reasonable adjustments to attend interview, please contact the recruitment team on 0191 203 1415 option 2.
Additional Context
We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including BAME, LGBT+, and disabled candidates. Northumbria Healthcare is a sponsor, a Disability Confident Employer, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, and supports Apprenticeships and inclusive practices. Northumbria Healthcare manages three major locality hospitals and delivers a wide range of health and care services across a large geographic area. The organisation promotes staff wellbeing and development through the Northumbria Way.
Please note that successful applicants pay for their own DBS certification if required, via salary deduction from the first monthly pay.
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