Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner - Harrogate
The closing date is 17 June 2026
In line with the governments priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, the new EMHP role is an exciting opportunity to deliver evidence-based early interventions for children and young people, working across both educational settings and healthcare sectors.
Due to expansion we are looking to recruit 4 trainee EMHPs to join our Harrogate Team.
The successful candidates will attend an educational programme (2 days in University/3 days within the team per week) specifically for the role in partnership with Northumbria University.
The training programme is 12 months in duration.
Following successful completion of the 1 year programme you will be offered an NHS AfC Band 5 EMHP role.
All applicants must demonstrate in their application the ability to work at degree level or have an equivalent level of relevant experience, with a proven record of previous learning or formal study in child development, wellbeing or mental health.
Delivery of the programme will be provided through a combination of taught days within University, independent self-guided study days and experience gained in education wellbeing and mainstream mental health services.
Candidates must be available to start by September 2026.
Main duties of the job
The Wellbeing in Mind team has 3 functions:
1. Support the development of a whole‑school or college approach to wellbeing. This can include, but is not limited to, supporting sites to develop and implement mental health and wellbeing policies, development of resources, supporting campaigns and delivering training, assemblies and PHSE curriculum.
2. Provide timely advice and consultation to education staff. This is designed to support teaching staff to build their skills and confidence in supporting the wellbeing needs of their students/pupils. This is offered in both a formal and informal way.
3. Undertake direct assessments and intervention for young people within education. We offer a low intensity service model, predominantly using cognitive‑behavioural therapy.
Each function accounts for a third of the teams workload.
This role is a training position, which is due to last for 1 year. If your Right to Work is based on a Visa that will expire before the end of the programme and subsequent qualification, it may not be possible to employ you in the role. At present, this programme does not meet the requirements for skilled worker visa sponsorship under the UK Home Office guidelines. As a result, we are unable to accept applications from those requiring offer visa sponsorship in order to complete the programme.
About us
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
Job responsibilities
The post holder, under supervision and with support, will develop knowledge and practice skills in:
* Delivering evidence‑based interventions for young people in education settings with mild to moderate mental health problems.
* Helping young people within these settings who present with more severe problems to rapidly access more specialist services.
* Supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify and, where appropriate, to manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing.
* Working with and within education environments to afford better access to specialist mental health services.
* Develop an understanding of what schools already do to support the emotional wellbeing and positive mental health of students.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Evidence of ability to study successfully at undergraduate level or the equivalent
* Meet the minimum training standards required by the University to undertake EMHP training
Knowledge/Skills/Experience
* Experience of communicating sensitive information
* Experience of work interacting with the public
* Demonstrates an awareness of children and young peoples mental health and how it may present
* Good verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
* Able to interact with others in a compassionate manner.
* Some experience of people using services in psychological, mental health and/or social care settings. This may include, for example, personal experience or supporting a family member to access services
* Experience of working in mental health or related services
* Experience of working in an education setting
* Worked in a service where agreed targets in place to demonstrating outcomes
* Ability to manage own caseload
* Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues relating to children and young people and the impact it can have on mental health
* Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
* Received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
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