Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner | Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to train as an Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP).

This training post is part of the national initiative to expand access to mental health support in educational settings. As a trainee EMHP, you will work under supervision within our Mental Health Support Teams, delivering evidence-based interventions to children and young people aged up to 18, helping to shape emotionally healthy school environments and provide direct support to those who need it most.

You will be co-located in schools across your locality, working collaboratively with education staff to promote a whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health. The role requires creativity, flexibility, and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for young people.

Successful candidates will be offered a full-time educational programme specifically for the role. On successful completion of the year long programme trainees will qualify as an EMHP.

Please note you will be required to sign a learning agreement before your employment starts.Upon completion of your training, you will work within your locality as a qualified EMHP.

Due to high volume of applications for this vacancy, please only apply for your preferred location. This vacancy is for Wokingham only.

Please see the link below for the other locations available

West Berkshire

http://healthjobsuk.com/job/v8049513

RBWM & Slough

http://healthjobsuk.com/job/v8049238

All applicants must demonstrate in their application the ability to work at degree level or have an equivalent level of relevant experience, with a proven record of previous learning or formal study in child development, wellbeing or mental health as well as a desire to work in children’s mental health. Experience of working with children and young people and an understanding of the educational system in England is highly desirable.

We encourage people to apply if they do not meet requirements for the level 7 postgraduate route (i.e. typically those who have a degree). If you would like to apply via this route, you will need to provide evidence of:

• your ability to study at Level 6 (e.g. previous successful study at level 5, or successful part completion of an Honours degree – level 6, or a pre-entry essay for the University of Reading that achieves a passing standard). Please note, an academic reference may be sought;
• good/solid basic literacy and numeracy qualifications at a minimum of level 2.

Please note that candidates who hold an Honours degree of 2.2 or above should apply for the Postgraduate route.

The training programme for this post starts in September 2026 and is 12 months in duration.Delivery of the programme will be provided through a combination of taught days within a university; independent self-guided study days and experience gained in education wellbeing and mainstream mental health services.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at

Berkshire Healthcare are

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

The “must haves” for this role

1. The ability to work at degree level or have an equivalent level of relevant experience: An honours degree graded at 2.2 or above. If a candidate has a degree graded 2.3, they will be asked to provide evidence of successful study at Level 6 or equivalent and be required to pass a pre-entry essay, marked at master’s level prior to acceptance on the training programme

1. Evidence of ability to study at Level 6 (i.e. previous successful study at level 5; or successful part completion of an Honours degree – level 6). (Must not have started or completed a HEE funded role in the previous 2 years, in line with the ‘2-year psychological professions funding rule)

1. Experience of working with children and an understanding of how to talk with them

1. Some experience of working within a mental health setting or in an education setting

1. Strong communication, IT & organisational skills

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification. We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted. For further application tips – see the help with your application document attached once you click apply

If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have.

Please don’t hesitate to call

Jo Cocksey, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, 07866 787757 or email: Joanne.cocksey@berkshire.nhs.uk or Robin Hammond Robin.Hammond@berkshire.nhs.uk who will be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

This advert closes on Tuesday 9 Jun 2026

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.