Job overview

Bolton MHST have an exciting opportunity to join their Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges as a Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner ( EMHP) who on completion of the training will progress to a band 5 qualified EMHP.

The  training programme for EMHPs is 12 months in duration and consists of academic and supervised practice learning across mental health services and educational settings, such as primary and secondary schools, and further education settings. 

Delivery of the training will be provided through a combination of taught days provided by the Edgehill University, independent self-guided study days and experience gained in education wellbeing and mainstream mental health services. 

This training is NHS funded starting in January 2026. For part of this role there will be a requirement to travel to Edgehill University approximately 2 days a week to successfully complete the EMHP IAPT course.

EMHP training is offered as a Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to be able to demonstrate you can study at degree level or above and are committed to completing the training.   Once qualified EMHPs will be required to be registered with either British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or the British Psychological Society (BPS).  

Main duties of the job

In line with the government’s priority to increase access and availability of mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people, the Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) role is an exciting opportunity to deliver brief evidence-based early interventions for children and young people. EMHPs work in educational settings as part of NHS led Mental Health Support Teams. This training programme is part of the national Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) initiative.

During training, the post-holder will work under the supervision of their employing NHS Trust to gain experience in providing one to one brief evidence-based interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems in educational settings (principally anxiety and depression). Trainee EMHPs are also trained in providing support to educational settings with Whole School/College Approaches, designed to improve emotional well-being and mental health in the school/college.

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.