Go back East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridge)
Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
The closing date is 29 April 2026
We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 5 Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) to join the East Cambs Mental Health Support Team (MHST) based in Ely.
Qualified EMHPs only: It is a condition of employment that you will be registered with either the BPS or BABCP. We will accept applications where registration is in progress or you intend to register as soon as possible.
The EMHP role delivers evidence‑based early interventions to parents and young people across educational and healthcare settings.
The MHST works with schools and colleges to provide early intervention for mild to moderate mental health difficulties and supports staff with a whole‑school approach to mental health.
Travel around the area to allocated schools will be required.
Main duties of the job
Work autonomously within education and healthcare settings alongside a team of mental health professionals. Carry out assessments, develop and deliver evidence‑based interventions to children, young people, parents and carers, addressing anxiety, worries, behaviour, and low mood. Receive regular supervision.
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
With appropriate supervision, act as an autonomous and responsible practitioner in educational and health care settings. Deliver evidence‑based interventions and holistic, child‑centred assessments, including risk assessments and formulations. Facilitate rapid access to specialist services for more severe problems. Support and empower staff in schools to manage mental health and wellbeing issues.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Assess and deliver outcome‑focused interventions in schools for children and young people with mild to moderate difficulties, respecting the education function.
* Work in partnership to support children, young people, parents/carers, families and educators in self‑management and agreed interventions.
* Operate from an inclusive values base, recognising and respecting diversity.
* Accept referrals within educational settings according to local and national protocols.
* Undertake accurate risk assessments, formulate risk and manage it in line with safeguarding protocols.
* Adhere to all regulations, HR policies, referral protocols and emergency procedures in the educational setting.
* Signpost referrals for children with complex needs to appropriate services.
* Escalate cases beyond scope of practice through case management and supervision.
* Provide information and support for evidence‑based psychological treatments, primarily guided self‑help.
* Manage own caseload, keeping clear, professionally coherent records. Use outcome data to inform decisions.
* Complete all data‑collection requirements.
* Integrate issues relating to transitions, education and training/employment into therapy.
* Contribute to development of individual or group clinical and training materials.
* Participate in multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency meetings as appropriate.
Communication
Effective written, verbal and non‑verbal communication on complex issues to a wide range of audiences including senior management, children, young people, families and educators.
Research & Development Activity
* Use evidence‑based literature to support practice.
* Participate in clinical audits and use computer for literature searches, word processing, remote interventions and training.
* Input data, email, report and contribute to service improvement and reporting via System One and other technologies in compliance with Trust governance.
Clinical and Practice Governance
* Maintain strict confidentiality under the Data Protection Act.
* Ensuring data handling follows Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.
* Adhere to risk assessment, management, infection control, and safeguarding audits.
* Maintain professional registration with BPS or BABCP.
* Complete mandatory training and participate in clinical, line management and safeguarding supervision.
* Participate in emergency preparedness processes and collaborate with other agencies for case reviews.
* Report safety and wellbeing risks to appropriate parties.
* Maintain records for continuous professional development and personal development plans.
* Adhere to safeguarding, confidentiality, Trust and professional training, data protection and all relevant legislation.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
* Successful completion of the EMHP Training Course (Post‑Graduate Certificate/Diploma).
* Registered with the BPS or BABCP (or in process of registering).
* Teaching qualification.
Experience
* Experience working with children, young people and their families.
* Experience liaising with schools and a range of agencies and stakeholders.
* Experience with children and young people who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
* Experience with anxiety disorders and mood disorders.
* Experience delivering therapeutic interventions to children, young people or their families (e.g. CBT, solution‑focused brief therapy).
* Experience in a health care setting.
* Experience recording and monitoring outcome measures for children's emotional wellbeing.
* Experience navigating complex social systems with conflicting priorities.
* Experience working with other vulnerable groups.
Knowledge & Skills
* Ability to conduct 1:1 therapeutic assessments and interventions with children and families.
* Ability to conduct group parenting programmes.
* Ability to work within educational settings to raise mental health awareness among staff.
* Ability to assess, record and communicate risk appropriately.
* Ability to manage and mitigate risk actions.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be conducted to view any previous criminal convictions.
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust (Cambridge)
£32,073 to £39,043 a year, pro‑rata
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