Visa Note
While this employer offers a certificate of sponsorship to the UK, all applicants must verify their visa/work permit eligibility directly with the employer before applying. International candidates are encouraged to apply, but final determination of sponsorship eligibility rests with the employer.
Job Summary
We are seeking a passionate Senior Education Mental Health Practitioner to join our innovative Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in East Suffolk, based in Ipswich. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of developing mental health services for children and young people. As a key senior clinician in this service, you will play a vital role in ensuring children and young people receive faster access to earlier mental health support within education settings.
About the Company
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust is a welcoming, talented, friendly, and supportive team that values sharing experiences and learning from each other. We are committed to providing an environment where you can thrive, with ongoing training and development opportunities to support your professional growth.
We have ambitious aspirations and are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work. Our leadership team ensures you will be truly cared for and cared about. Suffolk offers an exceptional quality of life with beautiful coastline, Broads National Park, and excellent amenities including top-ranking schools and affordable housing.
Job Details
Company: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Location: Mariner House, Handford Rd, Ipswich, IP1 2GA
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum (pro rata)
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Contract Type: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months
Reference Number: 246-WSU7654598
Closing Date: 11 January 2026
Key Responsibilities
In this senior role, you will provide high-quality mental health support to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate difficulties through early intervention and timely support. You will work across various education settings, making a significant impact on young lives.
You will be responsible for supervising Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) and potentially Trainee EMHPs, supporting them through their training and professional development. This includes offering assessment and direct delivery of evidence-based interventions.
The role requires utilising your skills and knowledge of 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 education community.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential:
- Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner qualification
- A relevant degree, e.g. Psychology with either a Post Graduate Cert/Dip in Mental Health or Equivalent
Desirable:
- Accreditation with BABCP or equivalent professional body
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
Experience
Essential:
- Experience of screening, assessing and treatment prescribing
Desirable:
- Experience of delivering training and developing others
Who Should Apply
This role is suitable for a range of professional backgrounds. We encourage applications from nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, experienced (two years post-qualified) EMHPs and CWPs. If you have the relevant qualifications, experience and skills in children and adolescent mental health, we encourage you to apply.
The position will inevitably be challenging and demanding at times, but it is also immensely rewarding, providing you with great opportunities to make a genuine difference to the lives of others. You will join a caring, creative, and hard-working environment where your ideas about service development will be highly valued.
Professional Development
There is a strong emphasis within the team around Continuing Professional Development (CPD). We will ensure you continue to access training and supervision to develop your own practice and further your career ambitions. This is an excellent opportunity for career growth within the NHS mental health services.
Additional Information
This vacancy is 37.5 hours per week fixed term contract for 6 months. Please note we also have another advert for a substantive 35 hour per week post in the same team. Interviews are anticipated to take place in mid-January 2026.
The post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to verify 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. 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 are also subject to this requirement.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information, please see the NHS Careers website.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
For international applicants specifically:
- Verify your visa eligibility with the employer before submitting your application
- Gather required documents including proof of qualifications and professional registration
- Prepare a CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant experience
- Contact the hiring manager for any sponsorship-related questions
For further details regarding the role, please see the attached job description and person specification. We would welcome informal conversations about these roles, so please feel free to contact us for more information.
Contact Information
For questions about the job:
Contact: Scott Mason (Clinical Team Manager)
Email: Scott.mason@nsft.nhs.uk
Phone: 07557599077
Employer Details
Employer Name: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Address: Mariner House, Handford Rd, Ipswich, IP1 2GA
Website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
Privacy Notice: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust’s privacy notice
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust is a Disability Confident Employer committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their background.
The trust is dedicated to providing high-quality mental health services to the communities of Norfolk and Suffolk. By joining our team, you will be contributing to the vital work of supporting mental wellbeing across the region.
We look forward to receiving your application and the possibility of welcoming you to our team of dedicated professionals making a real difference in children’s and young people’s mental health.