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Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust

Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)

The closing date is 19 April 2026

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Job summary

In line with the government's priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, there are new recruit to train positions within the children's mental health services; Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) roles.

These posts are held within Kent and Medway Mental Health Support Teams (MHST). For further information, please use the link below:

Kent emotional wellbeing team and Medway emotional support team - Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS...

EMHPs within these teams provide low-intensity interventions based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and guided self-help. Trainee EMHPs are taught these interventions while also learning more about the MHST programme and children and young people's mental health.

Advertised EMHP training roles will be within MHST, based in Medway and its surrounding areas.

Applicants need to be ready to start work on 1st September 2026, and posts cannot be offered to candidates unless they can guarantee this start date.

All candidates will need to undertake an initial application process with Kent and Medway Mental Health Trust. If successful in this first stage, then candidates will need to apply to the University of Sussex EMHP training programme before the job offer is made.

Please use the link below for course information/entry requirements and the University of Sussex portal:

Education Mental Health Practice PGDip : University of Sussex

Main duties of the job

Throughout the training year and under clinical supervision, you will develop knowledge and practice skills to employ a range of evidence-based interventions for mental health difficulties. This is delivered via direct individual and group support for children, young people and their families, in line with NHS and University expectations.

The NHS team uses a blend of face-to-face interventions along with online/digital support as part of what is offered (e.g. support via video and telephone calls). As an NHS employee, you will record your outcomes and contribute to the growing national dataset on what works to support children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

During the training year, the role will have both academic and practical elements. These will include face-to-face work in different settings across Kent and Medway, which can include schools and other settings accessed by young people.

Candidates will need to travel between school sites/clinical sites as well as to the University of Sussex in order to undertake the university course and practical elements of the job role (business travel will be reimbursed).

On successful completion of training, Trainee EMHPs will be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and capabilities to work as a qualified EMHP as autonomous and responsible practitioners within their scope of practice, alongside their clinical team (MHSTs).

About us

We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and well-being of people across Kent and Medway. Our teams support adults with a wide range of mental health needs. Because we cover the whole county and both hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the 1.8 million people of Kent and Medway. Rated 'Good' by the CQC, we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 in the community each year.

Our vision is simple: We are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. And everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.

Join us - if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's doing well together.

Details

Date posted

08 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

380-SS0780

Job locations

The Courtyard

Campus way

Gillingham Kent

ME8 0NZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

In the training year you will adhere to the Band 4 trainee Job Description attached as well as attending Sussex University to undertake the academic elements of the training. A combination of both University taught days and placement work will provide the basis of your initial qualification.

On successful completion of the EMHP training, you will be slotted into a permanent role within your MHST. Once qualified you will be expected to register with either BABCP/BPS. This registration will be supported by the service and must be maintained throughout employment.

Please refer to the attached job descriptions for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification

Please note that successful applicants will be required to complete all mandatory tasks associated with applying for professional registration and submit the required information to the relevant registered body within the six-month probationary period.

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Job description

Job responsibilities

In the training year you will adhere to the Band 4 trainee Job Description attached as well as attending Sussex University to undertake the academic elements of the training. A combination of both University taught days and placement work will provide the basis of your initial qualification.

On successful completion of the EMHP training, you will be slotted into a permanent role within your MHST. Once qualified you will be expected to register with either BABCP/BPS. This registration will be supported by the service and must be maintained throughout employment.

Please refer to the attached job descriptions for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification

Please note that successful applicants will be required to complete all mandatory tasks associated with applying for professional registration and submit the required information to the relevant registered body within the six-month probationary period.

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant professional experience in CYP Mental Health/Education/Mentorship (to be considered on a caseby-case basis)
  • Experience working with children
  • Minimum education qualifications to A-level or equivalent level (e.g., BTEC, IB)

Desirable

  • Child development qualification
  • Mental health experience
  • 18 months plus paid experience working with children

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of the UK educational system
  • Knowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child well-being or mental health
  • Previous experience of working with children and young people
  • Worked in a Educational setting or Mental Health setting

Attitude

Essential

  • Commitment to the training course and woking within childrens mental health services
  • To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant professional experience in CYP Mental Health/Education/Mentorship (to be considered on a caseby-case basis)
  • Experience working with children
  • Minimum education qualifications to A-level or equivalent level (e.g., BTEC, IB)

Desirable

  • Child development qualification
  • Mental health experience
  • 18 months plus paid experience working with children

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of the UK educational system
  • Knowledge of children and young people gained through academic study in child development, child well-being or mental health
  • Previous experience of working with children and young people
  • Worked in a Educational setting or Mental Health setting

Attitude

Essential

  • Commitment to the training course and woking within childrens mental health services
  • To be able to travel efficiently throughout the area

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust

Address

The Courtyard

Campus way

Gillingham Kent

ME8 0NZ


Employer's website

https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust

Address

The Courtyard

Campus way

Gillingham Kent

ME8 0NZ


Employer's website

https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Operational Manager

Inderjit Randhawa

inderjit.randhawa2@nhs.net

07976735752

Details

Date posted

08 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

380-SS0780

Job locations

The Courtyard

Campus way

Gillingham Kent

ME8 0NZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)