Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)

Job summary
Location: Sheffield - Full-time, 12-month fixed-term (with guaranteed permanent Band 5 role on successful completion) Training Starts: February 2027

Sheffield Mental Health Support Team (MHST), part of Sheffield CAMHS, is recruiting Trainee EMHPs to deliver early, evidence-based mental health interventions in schools. In partnership with the University of Sheffield, you will combine academic learning and hands-on experience to support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people across 60 schools in the city

Essential Information:

• Training: Fully funded postgraduate diploma
• Duration: 12 months - 3 days/week in service (2 in schools), 2 days/week at university
• Hours: Full-time, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Requirement: Must be able to work full-time in Sheffield from February 2027

Selection Process:
Please note that this is a two-stage recruitment process:

• Stage 1: Selected candidates will be required to submit an academic essay, which will be assessed by the University of Sheffield. Those meeting the required standard will then be invited to attend a service interview.
• Stage 2: Candidates successful at Stage 1 will be invited to attend a University interview.

Appointment is subject to successfully completing both stages of the recruitment process.

Interviews:
Due to the number of applicants received for this post shortlisting will not be finalised until the start of September.

Main duties of the job
Reporting into the Service Lead, your responsibilities will include:
During Training:

• Deliver structured, evidence-based interventions to children and young people with mild to moderate mental health needs in schools
• Support whole-school approaches to promoting emotional wellbeing
• Facilitate training and guidance to school staff on identifying and responding to mental health concerns
• Work with school staff and mental health professionals to improve access to care
• Develop skills in safeguarding, clinical governance, and risk management
• Evidence progress toward academic and practical competence as part of the postgraduate diploma

Once qualified, EMHPs are required to meet professional registration requirements to continue with their employment.

Please see further information about the main activities of a Trainee EMHP in Sheffield MHST.
Training to be an EMHP with Sheffield MHST
How I Became an Educational Mental Health Practitioner

About us
At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children's Health.

We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.

We're proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children's as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England -- and the top-ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire -- in the latest NHS Staff Survey.

Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values -- Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence -- to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we're excited to keep building our leadership in children's health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.

We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts -- helping you thrive at work and beyond.

Details
Date posted: 04 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 425-26-7990331
Job locations: Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TH, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage all applicants to review their right to work eligibility before submitting an application to help avoid any disappointment during the recruitment process.
This role has been assigned occupation code 2229 using the CASCOT coding tool. Under current Home Office guidance for further information on occupation codes, sponsorship eligibility and right-to-work requirements, please visit: Skilled Worker visa: Your Job GOV.UK. Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK

Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.

Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Undergraduate degree in Psychology OR related subject (e.g., Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc
• Experience and or/additional training in a relevant field such as teaching, learning support, healthcare support, youth work, counselling or, similar roles supporting children and young people

Experience
Essential

• Experience of supporting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
• Experience of building positive relationships and working in partnership with families to support children and young people's wellbeing and development.
• Experience of working in an educational setting, with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with supporting children and young people's wellbeing and learning.
• Experience of working collaboratively with professionals across agencies, including education, health or social care services.

Desirable

• Experience of collaborating with senior leaders, Senior Mental Health Leads (SMHLs), and other senior education staff to support and develop whole-school approaches to emotional wellbeing and mental health.
• Experience of maintaining records, monitoring outcomes and evaluating support provided to children and young people.

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of child development, emotional wellbeing, or mental health, gained through study or experience.
• Demonstrable organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage a varied workload, and balance the demands of academic study, clinical practice, and education-based activities.
• Ability to adapt to a range of learning environments and approaches, applying learning to practice while effectively managing the demands of academic, clinical, and professional development activities.
• Ability to manage own learning and professional development, make effective use of supervision, reflect on practice, respond constructively to feedback, and work autonomously within the limits of own competence and scope of practice.
• Ability to develop positive and effective working relationships with children, young people, families, education staff, and multi-agency partners to support wellbeing and positive mental health outcomes.
• Ability to manage sensitive, distressing and emotionally challenging situations while maintaining professional boundaries, resilience and emotional wellbeing.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Ability to apply psychological knowledge and theory to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and procedures relating to children and young people, including the ability to recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

Desirable

• Experience or ability to deliver training or presentations to a range of audiences.

Personal attributes
Essential

• Self-motivated, reliable, and consistent in approach to work.
• Evidence of experience or commitment to supporting children and young people experiencing emotional wellbeing and mental health difficulties, and their families, within educational settings
• Ability to travel independently across the service area to meet the operational requirements of the role.

Desirable

• Commitment to promoting the voice and participation of children and young people.

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: Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Service Delivery Manager
Lyndsey Bridgman
Lyndsey.bridgman@nhs.net
01142716507