Educational Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) Training

Working as a Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner

As a Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP), you'll work directly with children and young people to help them feel more confident and resilient using evidence based, developmentally appropriate interventions.

The role involves prodividing one-to-one support using low-intensity, evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), delivering group sessions, and helping children and young people understand and manage their emotions using trauma informed and strengths-based approaches.

Adam Harvey progressed from a Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner to a Senior EMHP within the Calderdale Mental Health Support Team at NorthPoint. Watch below as he shares his experience of the role and what it involves.

Why this role matters?

Young people today face growing pressures and many do not get help early enough. We're looking for people who care and want to make a difference, with the values and ability to build trusting relationships with children, young people and families.

We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and strongly encourage applications from men, people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and individuals with diverse life experiences and perspectives. Inclusive teams provide better care, and every perspecitve matters.

What training and support is available for Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioners?

The trainee EMHP programme combines paid employment with a fully funded postgraduate diploma. Trainee EMHP roles are offered as full-time, one-year fixed-term posts at NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 4, with progression to a qualified EMHP role on NHS AfC Band 5 on successful completion of the programme.

How to become a Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner?

Trainee EMHP opportunities across West Yorkshire are advertised on the NHS Jobs website.

To receive alerts when trainee posts become available, you'll need to register with NHS Jobs. Once registered, search for Trainee EMHP roles and create a job alert to receive automatic notifications when new vacancies are advertised.

Trainee EMHP roles are available within the following organisations across West Yorkshire:

Find out more about the Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner role

Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner leaflet (PDF)

What are Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)?

MHSTs work in schools and colleges to support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing. They focus on early, needs led support, responding to emotional and mental health needs in a timely, compassionate and trauma informed way, supporting young people before challenges become crises.

Working alongside teachers, parents, carers, communities and partner services, MHSTs help build safe, inclusive and psychologically informed environments where young people feel they belong and can thrive. Opportunities are available across West Yorkshire, with teams continuing to expand to support more children and young people.