Overview
Job summary: This is a 12 months fixed term post commencing in January 2026.
Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity to work within Child and Adolescent Mental Health? Do you have the motivation, skills and leadership experience to work within Sunderland’s Mental Health Support Team? This opportunity is with the Health Heads Team as a Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP), a training post in conjunction with Northumbria University. The trainee EMHP will work closely with schools across Sunderland to support the delivery of the national Mental Health Support Team (MHST) model, which focuses on early intervention and prevention, offering Low Intensity CBT interventions for mild to moderate difficulties, developing a whole school approach, and providing consultation, advice and training. EMHPs work 1:1, with parents/carers, and deliver groups in the education setting.
To access the university course potential candidates will need to be educated to degree level and have experience of working with children and young people, ideally in a school environment. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an open morning prior to interview.
Main duties and responsibilities
The post holder will:
* Train as an Education Mental Health Practitioner while working with schools within Sunderland to gain knowledge and clinical experience toward a Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Studies in the Education Environment, and qualify as an EMHP.
* Support the implementation of the National Mental Health Support Team model across Sunderland schools, focusing on mental health and emotional wellbeing for children and young people.
* Deliver Low Intensity CBT (LICBT) interventions, contribute to Whole School Approach activities, run workshops and assemblies, and provide regular consultation and timely advice to education staff and families.
* Work with children and young people from diverse backgrounds, using interpreters when necessary, and uphold equal opportunities.
* Meet service targets and complete training within 12 months.
If you are interested, please contact Lisa Mundell (Clinical Lead) for an informal conversation at 0191 2832936 or l.mundell@nhs.net.
About us and requirements
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust – we value people, accessible services, research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promoting a compassionate culture. We welcome applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from underrepresented groups. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
We employ around 8,746 people and provide a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents, with access to facilities such as a Fitness Centre, libraries, chaplaincy support and care coordination for staff with childcare needs.
If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Details
Date posted: 29 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: C9155-CMAHP-1025-29
Job locations: Hetton Centre, Welfare Road, Hetton, DH5 9NE; Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre, Prince Edward Road, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 8PS
Job description and responsibilities
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.
For the post holder to work as a member of the Healthy Minds Team in South Tyneside providing school based mental health service to children and young people in the borough. They will be part of the Lifecycle Service (including Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service and Adults Talking Therapies) and will work with children and young people who have common mental health problems predominantly in the school environment in a training capacity.
They will use evidence-based interventions (Low Intensity CBT) to deliver group work to parents, children and young people, support schools in developing and delivering a Whole School Approach, and provide consultation, advice, signposting and training to education staff.
The post holder will work with children and young people from diverse cultural backgrounds, using interpreters when necessary, and support equal opportunities.
They will meet service targets and undertake training for the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Studies in the Education Environment at Northumbria University within 12 months.
Experience and qualifications
Experience Essential:
* Experience of supporting the mental health needs of children, young people and their families.
* Experience of working in the community and/or education settings.
* Knowledge and experience of safeguarding and child welfare.
Desirable:
* Experience in a Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service.
* Experience in a service with agreed targets and clinical outcomes.
Skills and knowledge Essential:
* Knowledge of universal and specialist child mental health service provision.
* Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and IT packages.
* Organisational skills, time and caseload management, clear report writing, and strong written and verbal communication.
* Ability to engage vulnerable populations, work in a multi-disciplinary team, and adapt to flexible environments.
* Understanding of anxiety, depression and evidence-based psychological therapies.
Desirable:
* Experience in risk assessments within scope of practice; knowledge of child development and its links to mental health.
Qualifications Essential:
* Degree-level education to access the Post Graduate Diploma course as per University requirements.
* Willingness to undertake and complete the Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Studies in the Education Environment at Northumbria University within 12 months.
* Apply for professional registration with governing body (BABCP/BPS) on qualification.
Desirable:
* Psychology or related Honors degree.
* Professional qualification in teaching, nursing, social work, AHP, Counselling or psychological therapy.
Physical skills Essential:
* Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
* Time and diary management, flexibility for training and service needs.
* Movement of objects per Trust guidelines and ability to work flexible hours.
* Standard keyboard skills.
Disclosures
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require submission for DBS check.
Employer details
Employer: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Hetton Centre, Welfare Road, Hetton, DH5 9NE
Employer’s website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk
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