Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner (Trainee EMHP)
Our Future in Mind MHST (Mental Health Support Team) is a growing service that provides early intervention to improve the lives of children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems. We are recruiting 3 Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioners to join our friendly and supportive team starting January 2026. The role is based within Wakefield CAMHS, on an NHS Band 4 one-year training contract. Upon successful completion of the training, the role may transfer to a NHS Band 5 EMHP permanent contract. The first-year study will be undertaken at Sheffield University.
All applicants must hold a level 6 qualification and have experience of working with children and young people; an understanding of the educational system is desirable. The interview process will include a service interview, a university interview and submission of a CV and a 600-word assignment.
Notes: At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates. We are unable to sponsor visas for this role at this time.
Main duties of the job
* Responsibilities of the Trainee EMHP include completing Sheffield University's one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP).
* Delivering and recording accurate assessments including risk assessments.
* Delivering evidence-based interventions to children, young people, parents/carers through individual and group work.
* Delivering psychoeducation sessions to children, young people, parents/carers through assemblies, classroom and parent sessions.
* Ensuring children/young people play an active part in decision making about the support they need.
* Providing advice/consultation to education staff to support children/young people getting the right help at the right time.
* Supporting education settings in developing and embedding whole school approaches to mental health through collaboration and coproduction with the school community.
* Participating in the delivery of training programmes for education settings and community services.
All employees are encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients. The trust may use AI in assessment of applications and will conduct thorough screening. If AI is used to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
About Us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust providing community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative and provide services across clinical and non-clinical roles. We encourage applications from all protected characteristic groups and value diversity. The Trust has around 14,300 members and over 4,500 staff dedicated to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the people we meet each year. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Details: Date posted 09 October 2025; Band 4; Salary £27,485 to £30,162; Contract: Permanent; Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working; Location: Field Head Hospital, Wakefield WF1 3SP.
Job Responsibilities (clinical)
In line with government priorities, EMHPs deliver evidence-based early interventions for children and young people in educational settings and healthcare. The role includes full-time employment based in Wakefield MHST with some teaching element at Sheffield Trust. The post is funded at NHS T&Cs 2021 Band 4 scale with progression toward Band 5 on successful completion of training. Applicants should demonstrate degree-level capability or equivalent experience with a record of learning in child development, wellbeing or mental health. Prior experience in working with children and young people and understanding of the educational system in England is desirable. The training is 12 months long, starting February 2024, combining taught days in Sheffield, self-guided study, and work in education wellbeing and mental health services. Training involves supervision and progression toward competence to deliver high-quality, evidence-based early interventions.
Job Purpose: During the training year, EMHPs will attend HEI studies and work in services throughout the week, gaining the skills to become a qualified EMHP. Upon successful completion, trainees will be equipped to work as a qualified EMHP within the Mental Health Support Team.
Under supervision, develop knowledge and practice in: delivering evidence-based interventions, supporting self-management for mild/moderate cases, collaborating with educators, and facilitating access to specialist services as needed.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical
* Be educationally supervised, supported and assessed while delivering outcome-focused, evidence-based interventions in educational settings for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
* Develop skills to support children/young people, their parents/carers, families and educators in self-management of presenting difficulties.
* Work with supervisory support to develop plans for interventions and agreed outcomes with children, young people and educators.
* Enable collaboration with children/young people and parents to develop agreed plans of care.
* Demonstrate inclusive practice that respects diversity in assessments and interventions.
* Discuss referrals for children and young people in educational settings according to local and national procedures.
* Under supervision, undertake accurate risk assessments for self and others.
* Follow protocols within the educational service and signpost to relevant services as needed.
* Engage in supervision and define scope of practice; manage a caseload under team requirements.
* Attend multi-disciplinary meetings as appropriate and maintain records of training and clinical activity.
* Contribute to data collection and develop collaborative materials with teachers, parents and the wider community.
Additional information includes a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check requirement and UK professional registration. See the employer details for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential: Diploma level qualification or equivalent experience; proven academic record or equivalent study in child development, wellbeing or mental health; basic literacy and numeracy at level 2. Desirable: Relevant Degree qualification; teaching or education qualification.
Experience
Essential: Previous experience with children and young people and families in health or education settings; experience with SEL difficulties. Desirable: Experience in healthcare or education settings and multiagency working.
Skills and Competencies
Essential: Excellent oral and written communication; ability to study independently and monitor progress. Desirable: Engaging with children, young people and families; ability to work collaboratively with agencies.
Knowledge
Essential: Knowledge of the English educational system; knowledge of child development, wellbeing or mental health. Desirable: Knowledge of safeguarding, capacity and consent issues, and whole-school approach to mental health.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and UK Registration statements are reiterated where applicable.
Employer details
Employer: South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust. Location: Field Head Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield WF1 3SP. Website: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk
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