Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner
The closing date is 25 May 2026
As part of the expansion of Mental Health Support Teams nationwide, Surrey was successful in obtaining further funding to expand our MHSTs across Surrey. We invite you to consider this opportunity to help deliver the government vision of integrated mental health teams in schools.
Each MHST is co‑located in a carefully selected group of schools within their Borough of Surrey, with services delivered across a cluster of schools for each area. We will have MHSTs working within each of the 11 Boroughs of Surrey – Epsom, Spelthorne, Reigate and Banstead, Elmbridge, Surrey Heath, Woking, Runnymede, Guildford, Waverley, Tandridge and Mole Valley.
We have trainee vacancies in the following teams:
* Mole Valley and Epsom based at SABP Trust HQ in Leatherhead
* Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge based at Gatton Place, Redhill
* Elmbridge based at Unither House in Chertsey or SABP Trust Headquarters in Leatherhead
* Runnymede and Spelthorne based at Unither House in Chertsey
Main duties of the job
As a trainee EMHP you will work under supervision as part of a dynamic integrated mental health team. You will spend two days a week studying at the university and three days on placement in schools. Over the course of your training year you will, under supervision, develop knowledge and practice skills to employ evidence‑based interventions for common mental health problems through direct individual and group support for children, young people and their parents, in line with university expectations. This approach requires creativity, flexibility, adaptability and a passion for working with children and young people in educational settings.
Successful candidates will apply to Sussex University for a place on the 1‑year PG Dip in Education Mental Health Practice, starting in September 2026. It is a requirement for this role to complete and pass this course within 12‑18 months.
The trainee EMHP posts are training positions; during this period you will be employed as a Band 4. On successful completion of the course and qualification as an EMHP, employees should then register with BABCP or BPS as an EMHP, allowing them to become permanent Band 5 EMHPs within their teams.
About us
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill‑health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We also provide social care services for people with a learning disability in Croydon and ASD and ADHD assessment services in Hampshire.
We actively seek to engage people who use our services and communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organisations that provide services and support people who use services and carers.
Job responsibilities
You will be required to travel between various sites within Surrey for this role and twice a week to the university.
Subject to reasonable adjustments in respect of any disability, the post holder must possess a valid driving licence and be able to drive and have unrestricted use of a car or motorcycle for work at all times, including community‑based work.
Due to the funding for the university course, which is completed as part of the role, we can only offer the role to UK residents as we do not have funding in place for overseas students.
This is a full‑time role and we operate all year round.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* For the PG Dip candidates will need a degree 2.2 or higher; for the G Dip candidates will need A‑Levels at ABB (or equivalent) or a qualification that might be equivalent in academic standing to A‑Levels, i.e. a teaching certificate
* Proven record of learning or formal study in child development, wellbeing or mental health
* Valid UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes
Experience
* Experience of working with children and young people, their families and others
* Experience of working and liaising with a wide variety of agencies and stakeholders, including schools
* Experience of working with children and young people who have social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties
* Experience and knowledge of the educational system in England
* Experience of working in a mental health service
* Experience of working in schools in England
* Experience of offering CBT‑informed interventions
* Experience of delivering whole‑school approach activities
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
£29,812 to £32,715 a year incl 5 % HCAS per annum
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