Job Summary
Wirral Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is incredibly excited to be continually involved in the national programme to provide mental health support to children & young people in schools. Wirral MHST has secured funding to train more Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) to be part of the team and work in Wirral primary and secondary schools.
EMHP training is full-time beginning in January 2027 and requires trainees to attend training days at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk and working in Wirral schools as part of the team. Therefore, access to a car and driver’s license is essential.
Main duties of the job
EMHP training is at Post Graduate Diploma level so GCSE Maths and English are the minimal essential education requirements. Trainees will attend Edge Hill University two-days-a-week with teaching primarily face-to-face alongside some online sessions, and three-days-a-week in Wirral MHST.
As employees of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) employment will initially be a 12-month training contract starting in January 2027 and paid at NHS Agenda for Change Band 4. Upon successful completion of the training programme, qualified EMHPs will automatically become full-time permanent members of Wirral MHST and paid at NHS Agenda for Change Band 5.
Typically, trainees will be at University two days a week with the other three days being in service, some of the teaching days may be accessed remotely or via online platforms. For the 3 days per week in service, trainees will be based in schools and colleges across Wirral.
Due to the location of the teaching and the distance from the work placement, ability to travel easily and swiftly is imperative so commuting needs to be considered by candidates.
This role will involve some remote working/hybrid working however there will be a requirement to work from the office and attend university in person on certain days.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of study at level 5
- Evidence of numeracy and literacy qualifications – If you do not have a level 6 undergraduate level or eqivalent, you will be asked to produce a piece of work prior to training confirmation, showing that you are able to work at level 6 or above.
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to study successfully at undergraduate level or the equivalent (level 6)
- Psychology or other health/social care/youth related undergraduate degree
- Other relevant postgraduate degree
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Knowledge of child and adolescent development and the role of the family in supporting children and young people’s emotional well-being
- Understanding of systems and contexts in which children and young people are likely to live
Desirable
- Demonstrates an understanding of common mental health problems experienced by children and young people
- Able to identify common mental health problems in children and young people
- Understands why it is essential to use evidence-based interventions when possible
- Understands why collecting feedback from children, young people and parents is important
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and/or young people
Desirable
- Evidence of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties
- Experience of working in mental health or related services
- Experience of working in a primary or secondary education setting
- Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place to demonstrating outcomes
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 22 June 2026
