Overview
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to train as an Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP), supporting the development and delivery of early intervention mental health services for children and young people across the West of Berkshire. This training post is part of the national initiative to expand access to mental health support in educational settings. As a trainee EMHP, you will work under supervision within our Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs), delivering evidence-based interventions to children and young people aged up to 18, helping to shape emotionally healthy school environments and provide direct support to those who need it most.
You will be co-located in schools across your locality, working collaboratively with education staff to promote a whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health. The role requires creativity, flexibility, and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for young people. You will be based in West Berkshire, with vacancies in Wokingham, Reading, and West Berkshire localities. You will be embedded in clusters of schools, co-located with MHSTs, supporting whole-school approaches to emotional wellbeing, working under supervision as part of a dynamic, integrated mental health team and engaging in academic and clinical training as part of the EMHP programme based at The University of Reading.
Responsibilities and Training
* Work under supervision to gain experience across healthcare and educational settings to enable delivery of high-quality, evidence-based early interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems.
* Collaborate with schools and education staff to promote a whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health.
* Engage in an embedded training programme starting January 2026, including academic study and supervised practice across mental health services and educational settings (primary and secondary schools, and further education colleges).
* Participate in a 12-month training programme delivered through a combination of taught days at the university, self-guided study days, and on-placement experience.
* Upon successful completion of the training, qualify as an Educational Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) and work as autonomous, responsible practitioners within their scope of practice, alongside education colleagues.
Qualifications and Experience
* Evidence of ability to work at degree level or equivalent; honours degree graded at 2.2 or above (2.3 may require evidence of successful Level 6 study and a pre-entry essay marked at master’s level).
* Evidence of ability to study at Level 6 (e.g., prior Level 5 study or partial Level 6 completion). Must not have started or completed a Health Education England-funded role in the previous 2 years (in line with the 2-year psychological professions funding rule).
* Experience of working with children and an understanding of how to talk with them.
* Some experience of working within a mental health setting or in an education setting.
* Strong communication, IT and organisational skills.
Additional Information
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible. Successful candidates will be offered a full-time educational programme for the role. On successful completion of the year-long programme, trainees will qualify as EMHPs. This position is offered on a fixed-term basis aligned with the duration of the training programme, and you will be required to sign a learning agreement before employment starts. Trainees will be employed by Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust for the duration of the training at the University of Reading and will be on placement during this time.
The training programme for this post starts in January 2026, lasts 12 months, and includes academic and supervised practice learning across mental health services and educational settings (e.g., primary/secondary schools and further education colleges). Delivery combines university teaching days, independent study days, and practical experience in education wellbeing and mainstream mental health services.
Values and Benefits
At Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, we live by these values:
* Caring for and about you is our top priority
* Committed to providing good quality, safe services
* Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
We welcome people who share these values to join us. We foster an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs. Benefits include:
* Flexible working options to support work-life balance
* 27 days’ annual leave rising with service, with the option to buy or sell leave
* Generous NHS pension scheme
* Excellent learning and career development opportunities
* Cycle to Work and car leasing schemes (including electric vehicles)
* Wellbeing tools and services, staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community
* Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
* Free parking across Trust sites
How to Apply and Contacts
No agencies, please. If you need help with your application, please contact us at [email protected] Applicants should check their email regularly for updates. All appointments are subject to NHS employment checks, and false information may result in withdrawal of offers. For information on how we store your information, please review our privacy statement.
About Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we are committed to providing the best possible care across Berkshire. We offer an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people belong and can flourish. Our values are the ones listed above.
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