Job overview
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:
1. Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
2. Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP)
Why Join Us?
We’re more than just a service — we’re a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that values compassion, innovation, and support. Here’s what makes us stand out:
3. Early intervention & prevention at the heart of everything we do
4. Friendly, inclusive culture where your voice matters
5. Flexible working options to support your work-life balance
6. Ongoing CPD opportunities to help you grow and thrive
7. A supportive environment where we lift each other up and work together to improve mental health in our community
If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and be part of a team that truly cares, we’d love to welcome you
Main duties of the job
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:
8. 1:1 therapeutic sessions
9. Group interventions
10. Whole-school mental health initiatives
What You’ll Be Doing
11. Delivering evidence-based interventions in primary, secondary, and higher education settings
12. Conducting comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments, care plans, and reviews
13. Using Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs) and clinical tools to guide and improve practice
14. Collaborating with schools to map and plan service delivery tailored to their needs
15. 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
16. A supportive, multidisciplinary team
17. Opportunities for Continual Professional Development (CPD)
18. Support to register with BABCP or BPS during your probationary period
19. Flexible working options to support your wellbeing
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Ready to Apply? Here’s What You Need to Know
For full details about this role and what it’s like to work at North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT), please refer to the attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to use these documents to guide your application.
Important Information Before You Apply
Certificates of Sponsorship
While NELFT is a registered sponsor organisation, we are not able to offer sponsorship for all roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system before applying.
Use of AI in Applications
Your application should be written by you. While it’s okay to seek support (especially for declared disabilities), applications generated by AI tools may be rejected, as this document is a key part of our assessment process.
Application Checklist
Before submitting your application, please ensure you’ve addressed the following:
20. Have you completed the EMHP or CWP training course?
21. Please confirm the university where you completed your training.
22. Let us know which organisation you are seeking professional accreditation through.
If you have not completed the EMHP/CWP course or cannot provide evidence of this, unfortunately, you will not be shortlisted.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
23. Successful completion of either Education Mental Health Practitioner or CWP PgDip course.
24. Applicant can demonstrate they have applied for Wellbeing Practitioner registration with BABCP or BPS.
Desirable criteria
25. Appropriate registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a Wellbeing Practitioner.
Experience
Essential criteria
26. Experience of the delivery of CBT-informed therapeutic interventions to children, young people, or their families, including as a trainee.
Skills
Essential criteria
27. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Travel
Essential criteria
28. To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
29. Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, KB)
30. Candidate Recruitment Pack (PDF, KB)
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
NameSarah McGuinnessJob titleOperational Manager (Mental Health Support Team)Email address