Oxford Health NHS Trust

Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner - Buckinghamshire

The closing date is 09 October 2025

Job summary

Are you looking for an exciting chance to support young people in education?

The Bucks Children and Young People's Mental Health service are looking for people to join their team as a Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP).

In line with the government's priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, the new Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) role is an exciting opportunity to deliver evidence-based early interventions for children and young people, working across both educational settings and healthcare sectors in England. Successful candidates would join an established MHST service as we expand.

This is a training position which will involve studying at the University of Reading, undertaking training to come a qualified EMHP.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work under supervision and with support, to develop knowledge and practice skills.

Delivering evidence-based intervention for children and young people in education setting with mild to moderate mental health problems.
Helping children and young people within these settings who present with more severe problems to rapidly access more specialist services.
Supporting and facilitating staff in education settings to identify and where appropriate manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing.
Working with and within education environments to afford better access to specialist mental health services.
To evidence development of those skills with associated knowledge acquisition to record and evidence progression towards an academic award and demonstrable practical ability

Successful candidates will be employed on a full-time basis by Oxford Health and based within schools in Buckinghamshire. There will be a requirement to travel to the University of Reading for teaching purposes.

About us

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible

Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

Excellent opportunities for career progression
Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Per Annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-BM7522294

Job locations

Schools based within Buckinghamshire

Aylesbury/High Wycombe/Amersham

HP6 5AY

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) are part of an exciting new project funded by NHS England, Health Education England, with the aim of improving the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and families, and schools in the community. This opportunity allows you to join an innovative new service during an exciting time whilst working alongside an enthusiastic, compassionate and inspiring team!

The role offers an exciting opportunity to continue to innovate and deliver high quality evidence-based care and whole system interventions, with great ongoing CPD opportunities.

All applicants must demonstrate in their application the ability to work at degree level or have an equivalent level of relevant experience. Experience of working with children and young people and an understanding of the educational system in England is highly desirable. The training programme for this post starts in September 2024, is 12 months in duration and will consist of academic and supervised practice learning across mental health services and educational settings. During training, the post-holder will work under supervision to enable them to gain the level of competence required to deliver high-quality, evidence-based early interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems.

Successful candidates will be offered a full-time educational programme specifically for the role in partnership with The University of Reading. This post will be funded at NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 4 level, gaining credits towards either a graduate or postgraduate level qualification (depending on level of previous academic study), on successful completion of training, candidates will be offered a permanent EMHP position with a starting salary projected to be based on the NHS AfC Band 5 scale.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role offers an exciting opportunity to continue to innovate and deliver high quality evidence-based care and whole system interventions, with great ongoing CPD opportunities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Ability to study at degree level

Experience

Desirable

Previous experience of working with children and young people

Skills

Essential

Ability to study as a self-motivated learner
Team player
Excellent Time Management and Organisational Skills

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Ability to study at degree level

Experience

Desirable

Previous experience of working with children and young people

Skills

Essential

Ability to study as a self-motivated learner
Team player
Excellent Time Management and Organisational Skills

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.