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 South-West Essex Team is looking for two passionate, qualified practitioners to join our service. If you hold a qualification in one of the following, we'd love to hear from you:
Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
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:
Early intervention & prevention at the heart of everything we do
Friendly, inclusive culture where your voice matters
Flexible working options to support your work-life balance
Ongoing CPD opportunities to help you grow and thrive
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
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:
1:1 therapeutic sessions
Group interventions
Whole-school mental health initiatives
What You'll Be Doing
Delivering evidence-based interventions in primary, secondary, and higher education settings
Conducting comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments, care plans, and reviews
Using Routine Outcome Measures (ROMs) and clinical tools to guide and improve practice
Collaborating with schools to map and plan service delivery tailored to their needs
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 Basildon, Thurrock and Brentwood and Billericay (vehicle access required).
What We Offer
A supportive, multidisciplinary team
Opportunities for Continual Professional Development (CPD)
Support to register with BABCP or BPS during your probationary period
Our Values
Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.
They are:
We are kind. We are respectful. We work together with our communities.
These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.
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 on 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 South West Essex is Phoenix House Basildon.
Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period.
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
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.
Use of AI
Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.
Application Checklist
Before submitting your application, please ensure you've addressed the following:
Have you completed the EMHP or CWP training course ?
Please confirm the university where you completed your training.
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.