Important Visa Information
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust welcomes applications from international candidates requiring skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK. However, applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer before applying. The certificate of sponsorship is subject to meeting all UK immigration requirements.
Job Details
Job Title: Education Mental Health Practitioner – Qualified EMHP/CWP
Company: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Location: Samuel Ward Academy, Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, CB9 0LD
Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year gross per annum/ pro rata
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Contract Type: Permanent
Reference Number: 246-WSU7630047
Application Deadline: 11 January 2026
Language: English
Closing Date: 11 January 2026
Job Summary
Are you passionate about the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people? We are excited to be recruiting an Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) or a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP). The Suffolk Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is based within education settings, ensuring children and young people receive faster access to earlier mental health support and the successful candidate will play a key role in delivering this service.
We are a dynamic mental health team working in a creative environment to continue developing this new service. Suffolk has had MHSTs since 2020 and we continue to expand. The roles are in our existing team based in Bury St Edmunds/Haverhill. You will need to be adaptable and have a passion for working with children and young people in education settings.
This is an excellent opportunity for qualified professionals to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people. As part of the NHS team, you’ll be working at the forefront of mental health support in educational settings, providing early intervention and support to those who need it most.
Main Duties of the Job
The successful candidate will complete assessments with children, young people and their parents/carers to inform targeted and evidence-based interventions to support the management of mild to moderate mental health needs. Using a collaboration and coproduction approach, the successful candidate will also support the team’s delivery of the Whole School/College approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health.
You will work closely alongside a team of mental health professionals, will utilise regular supervision sessions, reflective practice and training opportunities in the team to continue to develop your practice and ensure a high level of clinical support is provided.
You must have successfully completed the EMHP course or equivalent for CWP. However, we would welcome applications or interest from trainee EMHP’s /CWP’s who are about to qualify. As a community based team the ability to drive is a requirement of this position. We have one position based in the Haverhill area.
Interviews are anticipated to take place week commencing 5th of January. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking team that is making a real difference to the mental health outcomes of children and young people in Suffolk.
About Us
A job in the Suffolk MHSTs will inevitably be challenging and demanding at times, but it will also be immensely rewarding and provide you with great opportunities to make a genuine difference to the lives of others. You will join a team that has developed a caring, creative and hard-working environment; your ideas about how this new service continues to develop and grow will be highly valued.
We will ensure that you continue to access training and supervision to develop your own practice and further your career ambitions. Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.
Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established nursing networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.
Why Norfolk and Suffolk?
The people here are warm and welcoming, you’ll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We’re an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.
Living in Norfolk and Suffolk offers the perfect balance between countryside tranquility and urban amenities, with excellent transport links connecting you to major cities across the UK. The region boasts a rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and a high quality of life that makes it an attractive destination for professionals relocating to the UK.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential: Successful completion of the HEE commissioned 1yr ‘Education Mental Health Practitioner’ course or CWP course.
Previous Experience
Essential: Experience of working with children and young people, their families and others.
Essential: Experience of working with children and young people who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.
Desirable: Experience of working with children and their families in a healthcare setting.
Knowledge
Essential: Knowledge of educational environments.
Essential: Knowledge of safeguarding issues.
Benefits
Some of the benefits you can expect as an employee of Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust include:
- Comprehensive NHS pension scheme
- A comprehensive in house & external training programmes
- Clear career progression opportunities
- Starting annual leave of 27 days per annum increasing to 33 days pa based on length of service (plus paid bank holidays)
- Staff physio service
- NHS discounts and many more benefits
We offer a supportive working environment with regular supervision, training opportunities, and career development pathways to help you grow professionally. As an international employee, you’ll also receive support settling into life and work in the UK.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
International Applicant Checklist:
- Verify your eligibility for a UK Skilled Worker visa with the employer
- Prepare all required documentation including qualifications, certifications, and proof of English language proficiency
- Obtain criminal record certificates from any country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
- Contact Sarah Neville to discuss sponsorship requirements before submitting your application
- Ensure you have a valid passport and any other necessary travel documentation
Please visit our Facebook and Twitter page @NSFTjobs for updates and information about our organization.
Additional Information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided 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.
Employer Details
Employer Name: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Address: Samuel Ward Academy, Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, CB9 0LD
Employer Website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
Privacy Notice: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust’s privacy notice
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact:
Job Title: Psychological Therapist
Name: Sarah Neville
Email: sarah.neville@nsft.nhs.uk
Phone: 01284733234
Supporting Documents
Band 5 EMHP JD and PS_September 2025 (1).pdf (PDF, 270 KB)
Equal Opportunities
We are a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
Further Information
The Suffolk Mental Health Support Team is an innovative service working at the forefront of children’s mental health provision in educational settings. This role offers the opportunity to develop your professional skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people in your community.
As part of your application, please ensure you include evidence of your completed EMHP or CWP qualification, along with details of your experience working with children and young people. We look forward to receiving your application and potentially welcoming you to our team.