Important Visa Information
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust is pleased to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility with the employer before applying. This position is open to skilled workers who meet the UK visa requirements, but sponsorship is subject to meeting all necessary criteria set by UK Visas and Immigration.
Job Details
Company: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Location: Mariner House, Handford Road, Ipswich, IP1 2GA
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per year (pro rata)
Schedule: Full-time or Part-time
Employment Type: Permanent
Language: English
Application Deadline: 11 January 2026
Reference Number: 246-WSU7645743
About the Role
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner to join our innovative Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in East Suffolk, based in Ipswich. This role presents an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of children and young people’s mental health services in the UK.
The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide faster access to earlier mental health support for children and young people within education settings. As a Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner, you will be one of the key senior clinicians in this transformative service.
This position is ideal for professionals who are committed to making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people. You will be working across a range of education settings, providing direct support and implementing whole-school approaches to mental health.
Key Responsibilities
In this senior role, you will provide high-quality mental health support to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. You will deliver early interventions, ensuring that young people receive the right support at the right time.
You will be responsible for supervising Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) and potentially Trainee EMHPs, supporting them throughout their training and professional development. This includes providing clinical supervision and guidance to enhance their practice.
The role involves offering comprehensive assessments and delivering evidence-based interventions to support children and young people referred to the service. You will utilize your skills and knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and child and adolescent mental health practice.
You will also implement whole school/college approaches to mental health through collaboration and co-production with the school/college community, helping to create mentally healthy environments where young people can thrive.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential:
- Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner qualification
- A relevant degree, such as Psychology with either a Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Mental Health or equivalent
Desirable:
- Accreditation with BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies) or equivalent professional body
Experience
Essential:
- Experience of screening, assessing and treatment prescribing
Desirable:
- Experience of delivering training and developing others’ professional skills
Skills
Essential:
- Ability to use outcome measures for both clinical and audit purposes
Knowledge
Essential:
- Models of assessment, screening and risk assessment and risk management
About Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Here at NSFT, we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly, and supportive team who value sharing experiences and learning from each other. We are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive professionally and personally.
We have ambitious aspirations and are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work. As we grow, we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. Our strong, established professional networks and exceptional leadership team ensure that all staff are truly cared for and valued.
Norfolk and Suffolk offer an exceptional quality of life. The local people are warm and welcoming, and you’ll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We’re just an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich. Our villages, towns, and cities are rich in history, independent cafes, shops, and theatres.
Why Work in the UK as an International Healthcare Professional?
The UK offers an exceptional healthcare system with opportunities for professional growth and development. As a healthcare professional in the NHS, you’ll have access to comprehensive training programs, career progression pathways, and the chance to work with diverse populations.
The UK provides a high standard of living with excellent healthcare, education systems, and social support. Healthcare professionals in the UK are highly respected, and the NHS offers competitive salaries and benefits packages.
Living in East Suffolk offers the perfect balance between professional opportunities and quality of life. You’ll enjoy affordable housing costs compared to major UK cities, excellent schools, and easy access to both countryside and urban amenities.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 246-WSU7645743. Complete the online application form, ensuring you provide all required information and documentation.
For international applicants, we recommend the following steps:
- Verify your eligibility for a UK Skilled Worker visa before applying
- Gather all required professional qualifications and certifications
- Prepare evidence of English language proficiency if required
- Ensure your professional qualifications are recognized in the UK
- Contact the employer directly to discuss sponsorship opportunities
All shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, which are anticipated to take place in mid-January 2026. The vacancy is 35 hours per week for a substantive post, though we also welcome applications from those seeking part-time arrangements.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact:
Name: Scott Mason (Clinical Team Manager)
Email: Scott.mason@nsft.nhs.uk
Phone: 07557599077
We welcome informal conversations about these roles, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants must present criminal record certificates from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information, please see the NHS Careers website for overseas healthcare professionals.
The Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.
Supporting Documents
Additional documentation for this role includes the Band 6 Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner job description and person specification, which can be downloaded from the NHS Jobs website.
Privacy Notice
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust is committed to protecting your privacy. Please refer to our privacy notice available on our website for information on how we handle your personal data.
Employer Website
For more information about Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust, please visit our website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx