Education Mental Health Practitioner for Children and Young People PGDip

The role of an Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) is an innovative and important role in the government’s Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) – part of the National Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies initiative.

In your year of study with us, we’ll help you learn the role and teach you how to make a difference working with children and young people.

As an EMHP you’ll work alongside schools and colleagues to support children and young people with mental health problems and wellbeing. This is a dynamic and innovative career choice, responding to the needs of children and young people within your area.

The course has two key components. First you’ll learn how to deliver low intensity, evidence-based interventions. Next you’ll focus on supporting schools to develop whole school approaches to positive mental health. This includes carrying out audits, taking part in consultations and providing group sessions for school staff, parents and young people.

Every child or young person you work with will be different. To prepare you for the different scenarios you’ll face, we’ll help you become confident in identifying areas of adversity, disadvantage and risk. And because you’re employed by local mental health services, you’ll get plenty of practical hands-on experience alongside classroom-based study. This will teach you the skills and knowledge you need to hit the ground running in your career.

A BPS accredited degree

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), meaning you will be eligible for registration on the society’s Wider Psychological Workforce Register.

Your future career

Child and adolescent mental health services are being transformed across England. As part of a Government strategy to ensure services are available in schools, third-sector voluntary agencies and the private sector, new roles are being created to deliver evidence-based brief psychological interventions.

Once you have successfully completed the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for band 5 education mental health practitioner posts supporting children and young people, as well as their parents or carers. Your experience of intensive practice-based sessions and multi-agency working will enhance your employability and give you a variety of options for career progression. You may wish to return to Edge Hill to train as a supervisor in children’s mental health, or a senior wellbeing practitioner.

This is a dynamic and innovative career choice, responding to the needs of children and young people within your area.