Job Description

Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) support children, young people and their families that have links to identified school settings. Each designated MHST will work in collaboration with schools and other agencies who cover a population of up to 7,000 children and young people. Trailblazer sites were established in Waltham Forest in 2021, with the service aim to cover 100% of the schools across Waltham Forest by 2030. It is expected that this will increase early access to services and offer greater preventative provision.
We also work with our schools to support their development of a Whole School Approach (WSA) to emotional wellbeing and mental heath as well as their development of curriculum content to ensure pupils are taught about mental health in the classroom.
We have vacancies Waltham Forest for qualified EMHP's
Main duties of the job

• Assessment and Treatment of Children and Young People under the MHST 3 Core functions (Targeted Intervention, Whole School Approach & Consultation and Liaison)
• To work as part of a team with a set number of schools to deliver the core components of the service
• Active participation in local and county wide meetings and supervision forums

(Please see for more details)
We hope successful candidates will come with a passion for participation and service development as we have a number of research and co-production projects we are working on. It is also the aspiration that successful candidates will be keen to develop their skills further to consider their exciting career prospects within MHST services.
About us
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
We also have an extensive local induction for all new staff which includes service welcome meeting, team meet and greet and shadowing opportunities across a range of settings.
Probationary PeriodThis post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
Flexible Working
Flexible working pattern applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to promote a healthy work life balance.
Details
Date posted
07 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
31,049 to 37,796 a year per annum (plus HCAS)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
395-PP137-25
Job locations
Wood Street Health Centre
6, Linford Road
Walthamstow
E17 3LA
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP) to join the Waltham Forest teams and work with us to develop the service further and ensure we meet the core components;

• Whole School Approach
• Targeted Treatment (main evidence base is low intensity CBT individual and group)
• Consultation and Liaison

**(if you are about to qualify from an EMHP course please apply as posts can be held for successful applicants)
Our senior Clinical Team are passionate about the careers of EMHP's and CWP's and we have exciting CPD program happening in service and are working closely with Health Education England (HEE) and NHS England to look at the career pathways of this new work force.
We have good working relationships with UCL and Kings College London and are looking at developing our staff to progress into senior positions and consider senior EMHP training opportunities and supervisor training.
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.
Fair Recruitment
As part of NELFT fair and legal recruitment we want to ensure reasonable adjustments are in place for anyone that has a disability during their interview process. We would be grateful if you can disclose on your application if you have a disability requiring reasonable adjustments. Job description
Job responsibilities
We are looking for Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP) to join the Waltham Forest teams and work with us to develop the service further and ensure we meet the core components;

• Whole School Approach
• Targeted Treatment (main evidence base is low intensity CBT individual and group)
• Consultation and Liaison

**(if you are about to qualify from an EMHP course please apply as posts can be held for successful applicants)
Our senior Clinical Team are passionate about the careers of EMHP's and CWP's and we have exciting CPD program happening in service and are working closely with Health Education England (HEE) and NHS England to look at the career pathways of this new work force.
We have good working relationships with UCL and Kings College London and are looking at developing our staff to progress into senior positions and consider senior EMHP training opportunities and supervisor training.
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.
Fair Recruitment
As part of NELFT fair and legal recruitment we want to ensure reasonable adjustments are in place for anyone that has a disability during their interview process. We would be grateful if you can disclose on your application if you have a disability requiring reasonable adjustments.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Successful completion of Education Mental Health Practitioner course

Desirable

• Working towards / received professional registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a low intensity practitioner.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of the delivery of specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people, or their families (e.g. CBT, solution focused brief therapy)
• Ability to conduct mental health assessments, risk assessments and communicate appropriately with children, young people and parents.

Desirable

• Experience of working within educational settings

Skills
Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence.

Travel
Essential

• Ability to travel to and across Waltham Forest on public transport or own means (car/bicycle etc)

Knowlegde
Essential

• Knowledge of education systems within the United Kingdom.
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Successful completion of Education Mental Health Practitioner course

Desirable

• Working towards / received professional registration with either the BABCP or BPS as a low intensity practitioner.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of the delivery of specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people, or their families (e.g. CBT, solution focused brief therapy)
• Ability to conduct mental health assessments, risk assessments and communicate appropriately with children, young people and parents.

Desirable

• Experience of working within educational settings

Skills
Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence.

Travel
Essential

• Ability to travel to and across Waltham Forest on public transport or own means (car/bicycle etc)

Knowlegde
Essential

• Knowledge of education systems within the United Kingdom.
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues.

Skills Required