Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner

Package Description

Job Introduction

Do you have experience of working with children and young people and want to move into a rewarding career in mental health?

We have an opportunity to join Me & My Mind, Mental Health Support Teams and study with a funded place on the Education Mental Health Practice PGDip with Sussex University.

East Sussex County Council (ESCC) is recruiting a Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP) to join our existing Mental Health Support Team (MHST) working with primary and secondary schools in Bexhill and Hastings. The MHS teams deliver evidence-based interventions based on the Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic (CBT) approach in schools.  

We work directly with children and young people aged 7-17 with mild to moderate mental health issues, and their parents and carers. We also work with schools to develop or enhance their whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing and mental health. As an EMHP you will be working as part of a dynamic integrated mental health team. This approach requires creativity, flexibility, and adaptability, and above all a passion for working with children and young people in educational settings. You will receive clinical supervision to support your interventions and have the opportunity to develop your practice.

The trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner role will:
• Work closely alongside a team of mental health professionals delivering a wide range of evidence informed interventions. This will include working one to one and delivering group work interventions.
• Use evidence-based skills to work directly with children, young people and families.
• Carry out holistic and child-centred mental health assessments, including risk assessments.
• Work within designated schools, developing relationships with the Mental Health lead in the school. Offer consultation on possible referrals to the service.
•  Work within the safeguarding protocols of the schools.

We are looking for candidates who have:
•    Passion and commitment for working with children and young people
•    Understanding of children and young people’s mental health
•    Knowledge of school systems
•    Commitment to undertaking study at postgraduate level
•    Strong organisational skills

This is a post graduate course therefore you are required to meet the criteria under the education requirements for the training post and be educated at degree level.

The training is to start in September 2025 and is fixed term until 31 October 2026 or until qualified. 

The training programme for this post is 12 months in duration and will consist of academic and supervised practice learning across mental health services and educational settings, such as primary and secondary schools, and further education colleges.

Delivery of the programme will be provided through a combination of taught days at Sussex University, independent self-guided study days and experience gained in education settings.

To apply for this role please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above. When completing your application be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education or personal interests

Interviews will be held in conjunction with the Sussex University. Interviews will be held at County Hall in Lewes on the 7, 8 and 16 of May. There will be one interview with representatives from the University for a place on the PGDip EMHP course and ESCC Mental Health Support Teams for full-time employment with East Sussex County Council.

For an informal discussion, please email mhst.info@eastsussex.gov.uk

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

This role will be based at Cavendish House in Hastings. 

For work that makes a difference....

Additional Information

Additional Information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

Data provided as part of a job application will be processed in line with the privacy notice for job applicants.

DBS

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure and Barring Services. For further information about what is required in this process please go to gov.uk disclosure and barring service . Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Work Permits

 We may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Border Agency’s Points-based Immigration System. Due to the restrictions we cannot guarantee that individuals that meet the requirements of the Points-based Immigration System will be issued with clearance to obtain work permits. 

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role.

Reasonable adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.

Reasonable adjustments include things like an offline application form. If you would like to discuss your requirements further, please get in touch.

Equal Opportunities

East Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. All applications are treated on merit.

Company Information