Livewell Southwest

Education Mental Health Practitioner Trainee

The closing date is 22 June 2025

Job summary

37.5 hours per week.

In 2017, the Government published its Green Paper for Transforming children and young peoples mental health, which detailed proposals for expanding access to mental health care for children and young people, building on the national NHS transformation programme which was already underway.

The proposals were focused on providing additional support through schools and colleges and reducing waiting times for treatment. Following a 13-week public consultation, during which the Government received more than 2,700 responses, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education published its Response to the Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Green Paper Consultation.

These core commitments are delivered through a joint and collaborative programme led by the Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Education and NHS England and NHS Improvement, with support from Health Education England and Public Health England and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Livewell Southwest has been successful in implanting these plans into 25 schools across Plymouth, we are now looking to recruit 2 further trainee EMHP, to continue this valuable and amazing work.

Main duties of the job

1. Assess and deliver outcome focused, evidence-based interventions in educational settings for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, working at all times in collaboration with and giving respect to the education function of the setting in which the post-holder is deployed.

2. Work in partnership to support children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and their parents/carers, families and educators in the self-management of presenting difficulties.

3. Work in effective, evidence-based partnership with children, young people, their families and their educators in the development of plans for the intervention and agreed outcomes.

4. Support and empower children, young people, their parents/carers and families and their educators to make informed choices about the interventions being offered.

5. Operate at all times from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Details

Date posted

12 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2025-NM-9908

Job locations

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Assess and deliver outcome focused, evidence-based interventions in educational settings for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, working at all times in collaboration with and giving respect to the education function of the setting in which the post-holder is deployed.

2. Work in partnership to support children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and their parents/carers, families and educators in the self-management of presenting difficulties.

3. Work in effective, evidence-based partnership with children, young people, their families and their educators in the development of plans for the intervention and agreed outcomes.

4. Support and empower children, young people, their parents/carers and families and their educators to make informed choices about the interventions being offered.

5. Operate at all times from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.

6. Accept referrals within educational settings according to agreed local and national and local protocols.

7. Undertake and record accurate assessments of risk and operate clear risk management processes in line with locally agreed procedures including the safeguarding protocols of the educational setting and Local Safeguarding Board guidance.

8. Adhere to all regulations, processes and procedures within the educational service to which the postholder is attached within the educational setting where the post-holder working including (but not limited to) HR policies, training requirements, referral protocols, and emergency procedures. Signpost referrals of children with more complex needs to a locally identified appropriate relevant service

9. Through case management, supervision and any other relevant local pathway, escalate cases where the level of need or risk is beyond the scope of practice of the postholder.

10. Provide a range of information and support for evidence based psychological treatments, primarily guided self-help.

11. Practice, evidence and demonstrate an ability to manage ones own caseload in conjunction with the requirements of the team.

12. Attend multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings relating to referrals or children and young people in treatment, where appropriate.

13. Keep clear, professionally coherent records of all activity in line with both health and education service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making.

14. Complete all requirements relating to data collection.

15. Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education and training/employment into the overall therapeutic process.

16. Work within a collaborative approach involving a range of relevant others when indicated.

17. Contribute to the development of individual or group clinical materials or training materials, and in addition to develop such materials independently as falls within own degree of competence, and under direction of the wider team.

18. Continue to apply learning gained on the training program directly to practice.

19. Prepare and present case load information to supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis to ensure safe practice and the governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service are delivered.

20. Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in practice.

21. Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and practice.

22. To disseminate research and service evaluation findings in appropriate formats through agreed channels.

23. Ensure the maintenance of standards of own professional practice according to both the postholders employer and the Higher Education Institution in which they are enrolled.

24. Ensure appropriate adherence to any new recommendations or guidelines set by the relevant departments.

25. Ensure that confidentiality is always protected.

26. Ensure that any risks or issues related to the safety and wellbeing of anyone the postholder comes into contact with in the course of their professional duties are communicated and shared with appropriate parties in order to maintain individual safety and the public interest.

27. Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with supervisor and senior colleagues on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

28. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

29. Keep all records up to date in relation to Continuous Professional Development and the requirements of the post and ensure personal development plans maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

30. Attend relevant educational opportunities in line with identified professional objectives.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Assess and deliver outcome focused, evidence-based interventions in educational settings for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, working at all times in collaboration with and giving respect to the education function of the setting in which the post-holder is deployed.

2. Work in partnership to support children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and their parents/carers, families and educators in the self-management of presenting difficulties.

3. Work in effective, evidence-based partnership with children, young people, their families and their educators in the development of plans for the intervention and agreed outcomes.

4. Support and empower children, young people, their parents/carers and families and their educators to make informed choices about the interventions being offered.

5. Operate at all times from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.

6. Accept referrals within educational settings according to agreed local and national and local protocols.

7. Undertake and record accurate assessments of risk and operate clear risk management processes in line with locally agreed procedures including the safeguarding protocols of the educational setting and Local Safeguarding Board guidance.

8. Adhere to all regulations, processes and procedures within the educational service to which the postholder is attached within the educational setting where the post-holder working including (but not limited to) HR policies, training requirements, referral protocols, and emergency procedures. Signpost referrals of children with more complex needs to a locally identified appropriate relevant service

9. Through case management, supervision and any other relevant local pathway, escalate cases where the level of need or risk is beyond the scope of practice of the postholder.

10. Provide a range of information and support for evidence based psychological treatments, primarily guided self-help.

11. Practice, evidence and demonstrate an ability to manage ones own caseload in conjunction with the requirements of the team.

12. Attend multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings relating to referrals or children and young people in treatment, where appropriate.

13. Keep clear, professionally coherent records of all activity in line with both health and education service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making.

14. Complete all requirements relating to data collection.

15. Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education and training/employment into the overall therapeutic process.

16. Work within a collaborative approach involving a range of relevant others when indicated.

17. Contribute to the development of individual or group clinical materials or training materials, and in addition to develop such materials independently as falls within own degree of competence, and under direction of the wider team.

18. Continue to apply learning gained on the training program directly to practice.

19. Prepare and present case load information to supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis to ensure safe practice and the governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service are delivered.

20. Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in practice.

21. Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and practice.

22. To disseminate research and service evaluation findings in appropriate formats through agreed channels.

23. Ensure the maintenance of standards of own professional practice according to both the postholders employer and the Higher Education Institution in which they are enrolled.

24. Ensure appropriate adherence to any new recommendations or guidelines set by the relevant departments.

25. Ensure that confidentiality is always protected.

26. Ensure that any risks or issues related to the safety and wellbeing of anyone the postholder comes into contact with in the course of their professional duties are communicated and shared with appropriate parties in order to maintain individual safety and the public interest.

27. Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with supervisor and senior colleagues on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

28. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

29. Keep all records up to date in relation to Continuous Professional Development and the requirements of the post and ensure personal development plans maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

30. Attend relevant educational opportunities in line with identified professional objectives.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present

Desirable

  • Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work 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

Other Requirements

Essential

  • High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
  • Advanced communication skills
  • Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
  • Ability to be self reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision

Desirable

  • Car driver and/or ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation

Training

Essential

  • Able to attend university course at Exeter campus or online
  • Able to complete academic components of the course
  • Able to integrate training into practice

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem
  • Demonstrates high standards in written communication
  • Able to write clear reports and letters.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in Primary Care Services
  • Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
  • Ability to manage own caseload and time

Skills & Competencies

Essential

  • Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
  • Computer literate
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
  • Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients

Desirable

  • Received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice

Qualifications

Essential

  • Evidence of ability to study successfully at undergraduate year 1 level or the equivalent
  • Knowledge acquired through Foundation Degree level education
  • Expectation to study for 12 months towards Low Intensity CBT qualification

Desirable

  • Evidence of working with people who have suffered with a mental health problem
  • Psychology or other health related undergraduate degree
Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present

Desirable

  • Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work 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

Other Requirements

Essential

  • High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
  • Advanced communication skills
  • Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
  • Ability to be self reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision

Desirable

  • Car driver and/or ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation

Training

Essential

  • Able to attend university course at Exeter campus or online
  • Able to complete academic components of the course
  • Able to integrate training into practice

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem
  • Demonstrates high standards in written communication
  • Able to write clear reports and letters.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in Primary Care Services
  • Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
  • Ability to manage own caseload and time

Skills & Competencies

Essential

  • Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
  • Computer literate
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
  • Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients

Desirable

  • Received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice

Qualifications

Essential

  • Evidence of ability to study successfully at undergraduate year 1 level or the equivalent
  • Knowledge acquired through Foundation Degree level education
  • Expectation to study for 12 months towards Low Intensity CBT qualification

Desirable

  • Evidence of working with people who have suffered with a mental health problem
  • Psychology or other health related undergraduate degree

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY


Employer's website

https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY


Employer's website

https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Manager

Julie Preece

juliepreece@nhs.net

01752435401

Details

Date posted

12 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2025-NM-9908

Job locations

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Livewell Southwest's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)