Job summary
Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) support children, young people and their families who have links to identified school settings. Each designated MHST will work in collaboration with schools and other agencies that cover a population of up to 7,000 children and young people. Trailblazer sites were established in Kent in 2019, with the service aiming to cover 50% of the schools across Kent and Medway by 2026. 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 health, as well as their development of curriculum content to ensure pupils are taught about mental health in the classroom.

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

About us
We are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway and are rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD.

Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve.

Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident.

Details
Date posted: 14 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 380-CED014-A
Job locations: Dartford

Job responsibilities
We are looking for Qualified Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP) / Children's Wellbeing Practitioners (CWP) to join the team and work with us to further develop the service 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 / CWP course please apply as posts can be held for successful applicants)

Please note that successful applicants will be required to complete all mandatory tasks associated with applying for professional registration and submit the required information to the relevant regulatory body within the six-month probationary period.

Our senior Clinical Team are passionate about the careers of EMHPs and CWPs, and we have an exciting CPD program in service. We are working closely with Health Education England (HEE) and NHS England to look at the career pathways of this new workforce.

We have good working relationships with the University of Surrey and King's College London, and are looking to develop our staff to progress into senior positions and to consider senior EMHP/CWP training opportunities and supervisor training.

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.

As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.

5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,346 per year and a maximum payment of £2,270 per year (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly) (2026/27 figures)

Person Specification
Qualification
Essential

• Successful completion of Education Mental Health Practitioner / Children's Wellbeing Practitioner course

Desirable

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

Experience
Essential

• Experienced in delivering 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

• Experienced in working within educational settings
• Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence
• Knowledge of education systems within the United Kingdom.

Travel
Essential

• Holds a valid driving licence and has access to a vehicle.

Desirable

• Ability to travel to work a in a timely manner.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.