Education mental health practitioner
Education mental health practitioners (EMHPs) work across education and healthcare to provide mental health support for children and young people in schools and colleges.
You’ll be trained to help children and young people manage common mental health problems, particularly mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and behaviour problems.
Life as an education mental health practitioner
Your role will be to provide early support for children and young people such as cognitive therapy-based interventions, to address emerging mental health needs.
You’ll also be trained to support schools and colleges with whole-organisation approaches to mental health and wellbeing. This role supports the Government's priority of increasing access to and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people.
You could:
- advise on sleep hygiene, problem solving and panic attacks
- educate young people in how to manage anxiety and depression
- promote approaches that improve emotional health and wellbeing
- advise education staff and signpost further information to ensure they can give children and young people the right support
If you work in primary schools or in social, emotional and mental health or learning disability settings, your work will also involve liaising with parents and carers.
Peter Watts
Education Wellbeing Practitioner
Read Peter's storyI feel particularly rewarded when clients that I am working with take steps to help themselves and make positive changes in their lives.

How much can I earn?
If you’re employed by the NHS, you’ll be on a national pay and conditions system called Agenda for Change (AfC).
There are nine pay bands and you’ll usually be paid at band 4 while you train. After completing your training you’ll be paid at band 5 with the opportunity to progress with experience.
Terms and conditions can vary if you are employed outside the NHS.
How about the benefits?
As an EMHP, you can:
- make a difference
- work flexible and part-time hours
If you’re employed by the NHS you’ll also have good holiday entitlement and access to:
- fully funded training plus a salary while you train and a job in the service when you qualify
- an excellent pension scheme
- NHS discounts in shops and restaurants
Must-have skills
You’ll need:
- excellent interpersonal skills
- the ability to build close, trusting and productive relationships with children and young people
- a good understanding of the education system
- to be able work well within a multidisciplinary team
- a good understanding of mental health issues
- strong written and verbal communication skills, tailored to a variety of audiences
- to be able to work independently and use initiative to think quickly on the spot – often in challenging situations
- creativity to solve problems and tackle obstacles
- effective time management for tight deadlines and managing competing demands
It’s helpful also to have:
- good presentation skills
- additional languages
- knowledge of the school and education system
You'll also need to be able to demonstrate the values of the NHS Constitution.
Entry requirements
You’ll need to complete a year-long training course to qualify as an EMHP. You can train for a postgraduate or graduate diploma, depending on whether or not you already have a degree qualification.
Although you don’t need a degree to apply for this training programme, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to work at degree level and have experience of working with children and young people to support their mental health.
The training is NHS funded and you are guaranteed a job as part of a mental health support team in a school or college once you’ve qualified. Courses typically consist of about 60 days of university, spread across a year. The remainder of your time will be spent in work-based placements, along with some self-study time.
EMHPs can now register with the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). The register opened in April 2023 and all EMHPs will need to comply with the national requirement for registration by April 2024. The BPS and BABCP websites have all the details about how the registration process works, including the annual renewal requirement.
How to become an education mental health practitioner
Your first step is to apply for a training programme. They begin throughout the year, and you can search for them on the NHS Jobs website. Set up an alert for ‘Trainee, education mental health practitioner’ to find training opportunities near you. You can find current vacancies below.
Training
While training, your 12-month university course will combine:
- academic and theory elements delivered by a university within your region
- self-study
- work-based placements in, for example, schools and/or colleges, special schools or pupil referral units
You will be employed by a healthcare organisation but will work in or around education settings, such as schools, colleges, special schools or pupil referral units, as part of a mental health support team (MHST), designed to help meet the mental health needs of children and young people aged 5–18.
The teams work in primary, secondary and further education settings and consist of:
- a team of EMHPs (usually four)
- higher-level therapists and senior staff, some of whom will undertake specific training to act as EMHP supervisors
- a service lead or team manager, who may manage more than one MHST across a region
- administrative support
You will be supervised throughout your training year and beyond. You will also be supported by experienced staff members who have undertaken EMHP supervision training to help you engage in self-reflection, seek and respond to feedback, and develop your professional knowledge and skills.
Where a career as an education mental health practitioner can take you
Once qualified, your employer will provide you with ongoing training to keep your skills and knowledge up to date. To support your practice and wellbeing as a practitioner, you will be provided with regular supervision.
With experience, you can train to become an EMHP supervisor or, as a qualified EMHP or children's wellbeing practitioner (CWP) you may be able to progress your career by applying to train as a senior wellbeing practitioner (SWP). The SWP training is two-year funded training programme during which you'll be paid at Agenda for Change (AfC) band 5. You can search for the SWP training posts on the NHS Jobs website. On successful completion of the programme, SWP posts are usually advertised at AfC band 6.
It’s important to note that a two-year psychological professions funding rule policy was implemented on 1 April 2022. This means that if you start NHS-funded psychological professions training from April 2022, you won’t be eligible for NHS funding for further psychological profession training for two years from the expected completion date of your first training, where it would lead to a change in your job role. However, this rule does not apply to the SWP training programme as it doesn't result in a change in occupation. Therefore, the two-year rule would not stop a qualified CWP or EMHP becoming a trainee SWP within two years of completing their CWP course. However, before applying for SWP training it is recommended that you have a least two years' experience of being a CWP or EMHP.
Visit the funding for psychological professions training programmes web page for more information about NHS funding.
Can't find a job in your area? Visit NHS Jobs for more vacancies.
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Education Mental Health Practitioner
Leyland, PR25 2TF
- Salary :
- £31972.00 to £39172.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Compass
-
Education Mental Health Practitioner
Chesterfield, S40 4ST
- Salary :
- £31962.00 to £39172.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Compass
-
Education Mental Health Practitioner
Derby, DE1 3TQ
- Salary :
- £31962.00 to £39172.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Compass
-
Assistant Education Mental Health Practitioner
Burton-upon-Trent, DE14 1EG
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner
Salford, M6 5FX
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Education Mental Health Practitioner - Selby
Selby, YO8 8AT
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner
Richmond or Easingwold, DL6 2FG
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Educational Mental Health Practitioner/Child Wellbeing Practitioner
Cheney Manor, SN2 2PN
- Salary :
- £31920.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- ABL Health Ltd
-
Education mental health practitioner - Stockport MHST
Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 7SR
- Salary :
- £29970.00 to £36483.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) York
York, YO10 5ZA
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner - Scarborough
Scarborough, YO11 3AZ
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
Sheffield, S10 2TH
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner - Ryedale
Malton, YO17 7NH
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
-
Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
Ashton Under Lyne, OL6 7SR
- Salary :
- £29970.00 to £36483.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Trainee Educational Mental Health Practitioner - Band 4
Huddersfield , HD1 3LT
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
-
CAMHS Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
Worksop, S81 9QL
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
CAMHS Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)
Mansfield, NG18 5TF
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) - Rochdale MHST
Rochdale, OL10 3RY
- Salary :
- £29970.00 to £36483.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Band 4 Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner-Bristol
Bristol, BS2 8EA
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
-
Band 6 Education Mental Health Practitioner and Supervisor - Bristol
Bristol, BS2 8EA
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
-
Children/Young People’s Mental Health Education Practitioner
Stockport, SK2 7JE
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Stockport NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Norwich, NR6 5BE
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Rotherham, S60 1AE
- Salary :
- £60694400.00 to £60694400.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Cambian Group
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Barnsley, S71 5RG
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Stockport, SK1 3XE
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Bradford,, BD7 3EG
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Portland, DT5 1DL
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Exeter, EX2 5AF
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Ipswich, IP1 2BU
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Southampton, SO18 1HZ
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Minehead, TA24 6DF
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Salford, M6 8HG
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Chester or Wirral, CH2 1BQ
- Salary :
- £37338.00 to £44962.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Stoke on Trent, ST4 6TH
- Salary :
- £29970.00 to £36483.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
St Helens, WA9 3DE
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Fareham, PO17 6AR
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Telford, TF3 4NF
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Leicester, LE19 1XU
- Salary :
- £37338.00 to £44962.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3PX
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Mental health practitioner
Plymouth, PL4 6LF
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Livewell Southwest
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Mental health practitioner
Plymouth, PL4 6LF
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Livewell Southwest
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Leicester, LE19 1XU
- Salary :
- £37338.00 to £44962.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner
Leeds, LS14 6WB
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
ARRS Mental Health Practitioner
Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2JN
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner FPCC
Brockworth, GL3 4AW
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Exeter, EX27RY
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
-
Community Mental Health Practitioner
Ramsgate, CT12 6NT
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust
-
CYP Mental Health Practitioner
Cheshire wide, CW2 7EG
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Locality Mental Health Practitioner
Rochdale, OL16 2UP
- Salary :
- £37338.00 to £44962.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Pennine Care NHS FT
-
Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Harmondsworth, UB7 0HB
- Salary :
- £42525.00 to £50400.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
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CAMHS Mental Health Practitioner
Manchester, M13 0JE
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
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Community Mental Health Practitioner
Daventry, NN11 4DY
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
-
Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Ipswich, IP3 8LY
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
-
Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Winchester, SO23 0HU
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
CRHTT Mental Health Practitioner
Southampton, SO14 0YG
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Community Mental Health Practitioner
Leeds, LS12 3QE
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Community Mental Health Practitioner
Horsham, RH12 1RJ
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Mental Health Practitioner Post
Telford, TF3 4NF
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Mental Health Practitioner
Cambridge, CB21 5EF
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
-
Community Mental Health Practitioner
Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BY
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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