An Introduction to the EMHP Programme at UEA 

The EMHP Programme at UEA uses blended learning, comprised of face-to-face teaching at UEA and online teaching, self-directed study days and supervised practice within employing MHSTs to allow trainees to develop the required clinical competence and confidence relevant to the role of an EMHP. Our team have extensive experience of working psychologically with children and young people across a range of settings and interventions. The teaching team includes lecturers with experience of delivering low intensity mental health interventions - who can use their experience to support, model and teach these skills positively – alongside those with expertise in the field of children and young people’s mental health and education. We also use a range of external Associate Tutors and Guest lecturers to support teaching. 

Throughout the year are a range of assessments and assignments to demonstrate learning outcomes and assess clinical skills and competency. In addition to learning the theory and practice for delivering evidence-based low intensity assessments and treatments for children and young people, taught modules will cover how to work in, understand the processes of, and engage with education settings. This is a full-time training programme which requires the successful completion of each of the 6 modules outlined below, as well as a portfolio evidencing clinical practice competencies 

Module 1 Children and Young People’s Mental Health Settings: Context and Values 

Module 2 Assessment & Engagement 

Module 3 Evidence-based Interventions for Common Mental Health Problems with Children and Young People (Theory and Skills) 

Module 4 Working, Assessing and Engaging in Educational Settings Module 5 Common Problems and Processes in Educational Settings Module 6 Interventions for Emerging Mental Health Difficulties in Educational Settings 

On successful completion of the course, trainees will qualify as an Educational Mental Health Practitioner with a Diploma / PG Diploma (120 credits). 

Key Dates and Attendance 

There are 70 teaching days across the calendar year with some intensive teaching blocks early in the course. These include cross modular/induction activities and top up/review sessions. 

Employment with NELFT will begin on Monday 5th January 2026, where you will start a 2-week induction. The Course start date for 2026 is to be confirmed. More detail about the timetable will be made available to you for interviews to enable discussions around existing annual leave and other commitments. 

Please read the attached job description.   

Successful candidates will be offered a full-time educational programme specifically for the role. The course fees are fully funded (with employees signing a training contract), and the salary support for the job post will be funded at NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) at beginning Band 4. You will gain credits towards completing with a postgraduate degree diploma level qualification, plus guaranteed employment on successful completion of training, with a starting salary projected to be based on the NHS AfC Band 5 scale. For the training year, successful candidates will be employed by NELFT based in educational settings in across Essex (Location to be determined by candidate).  Due to the nature of the school sites, an ability to travel independently to school settings and university is essential. 

Please note: The EMHP posts are training positions subject to 2-year fixed term contracts, successful candidates will be expected to travel throughout the MHST localities when in service and to the UEA as part of the face-to-face training days.  

*Please note the training will be provided by University of East Anglia (UEA). 100% attendance is required to complete the course, please only proceed to application if you are able to meet this requirement.  

Funding Support and Training Contract 

NELFT are committed to supporting and developing a new workforce and supporting EMHP's throughout their training and these roles are integral to supporting the NHS Long Term plan supporting developments to Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services. We therefore require all staff who receive funding support from NELFT to sign a training contract, outlining your commitment to the role and future service.  The training contract will come into effect if staff leave the organisation to work in a non-NHS setting and you may be liable to returning the cost of the course to the Trust. 

Face to face interviews will be completed by NELFT and UEA staff.  Please do not apply if you cannot attend face to face. Virtual interviews will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. The planned dates for interviews are:  16 October 2025 

The positions are highly desirable, and the advert may close sooner than advertised if we receive a significant number of applications. 

The applicant is required to detail in their supporting statement the top 3 reasons why you have applied for the training role. We encourage you to read the job advert and job description fully as any applications that do not demonstrate their 3 reasons will not be shortlisted. 

You will be joining an existing and growing team of EMHPs in NELFT who already work across other parts of our geography. We look forward to your application and to working with you as a Trainee EMHP with NELFT in Essex. 

Use of AI 

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used, then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability. 

Certificates of Sponsorship 

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles.  Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system.