Head of Educational Psychology and SEND Services

Job Title: Principal Educational Psychologist - Head of Service SEND Inclusion

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and skilled Principal Educational Psychologist to lead our Educational Psychology Team and Head of Service SEND Inclusion. As a key member of our SEN and Inclusion Senior Management Team, you will contribute to strategic planning and decision-making across the education service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic leadership and management of the Educational Psychology Team, including professional supervision to deliver services in line with Council and Directorate priorities.
• Development of best practice within Learning Inclusion to promote high-quality support and provision for children and young people with SEND.
• Development of systems and protocols regarding LEA and statutory duties.
• Lead on the development of policy related to national and local guidance of specific areas of SEN and in the development of policy related to SEN processes.
• Provide effective translation of strategy into operational performance within Inclusion services.
• Actively support service delivery across each of the areas of the city, ensuring a cohesive, high-quality, and coordinated integrated intervention, assessment, and support process for children with SEND.
• Engage in joint development, implementation, and better outcomes of the team/service plans in line with professional standards and following feedback from external inspections, reviews, and assessments.
• Create a climate of continuous improvement.
• Build strong and dynamic relationships, networks, and trust with individuals and partners to facilitate a multi-agency approach, engaging with partners to provide targeted services centered on the needs of children and young people throughout the city, especially those who are most vulnerable.
• Lead and manage all aspects of people management within the service, providing direction, support, and clear objectives to immediate line reports. Ensure effective and timely communication, promoting high performance, and shared accountabilities.
• Champion the Leeds aspiration and ambition to become a child-friendly city by developing and sustaining a culture that consistently meets the needs of and listens to children, families, and staff to meet the business needs of the directorate and the needs of children and young people.
• Deputise for the Head of Service and represent on all matters relating to the leadership, management, and development of the service at a city, regional, and national level.
• Implement regular formal quality assurance, audit, and performance management and reporting through the use of effective management information systems and ensure this meets statutory requirements.
• Positively and effectively shape and deliver the vision and goals of the Children's and Young People's Plan as they affect the service.
• Support effective partnership arrangements at local and city-wide level to bring about change and improvement in families to keep children safe.
• Lead and manage effective multi-agency relationships which underpin safe and effective services for children in Leeds.
• Be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area, ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations.
• Ensure that all staff are registered where required with the appropriate professional registration body, receive continuous professional development, and practice safely.
• Responsible for driving a program that delivers the Council's ambitions, in terms of time, budget, quality, quantity, and that fits with the Council's wider strategic goals and values.
• Manage, promote, and deliver positive solutions to achieving diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, focusing on equality of outcome.
• In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework, be accountable for all financial resources within the service area, ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations.

Requirements:

• Significant management experience within the relevant children's services environment (i.e., schools, colleges, or local authority) with specific responsibility for translating policy via service delivery and outcomes, to shape and influence the delivery of strategic priorities at a City, Directorate, and Service level, ensuring people issues are kept at the forefront.
• Substantial experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of working within a multi-agency environment, forging and driving successful partnerships and implementing and delivering multi-agency strategies.
• Ability to find and implement creative and innovative solutions to complex managerial problems.
• Experience of leading, managing, supporting, and developing individuals and teams and promoting a 'can-do' attitude within an environment of continuous improvement and outcomes for children and young people.
• Experience of effective people management and financial accountability within recognized rules and procedures and the context of delivering successful outcomes for service users.
• Experience of health & safety and risk management to ensure the wellbeing and safety of staff and service users.
• Knowledge of current local and national issues impacting upon the service and can demonstrate a clear linkage with the needs of children and children and young people across the city.
• Demonstrate an ability to make difficult decisions, to be held accountable, and be comfortable managing targets and outputs.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, and establish credibility for the service, enhance its reputation, and to form positive relationships.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Child Friendly City concept and the voice and influence of children and young people to underpin this.
• Knowledge and understanding of evidence-based approaches within the context of services to children, young people, and families.
• Understanding/experience of a range of improvement methodologies to drive service improvement.
• Able to demonstrate examples of managing services, implementing change, and achieving quality transformational outcomes.
• Evidence of significant experience and commitment in relation to the engagement of relevant citizens, customers, and stakeholders in decision-making processes.
• Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions, and Corporate Leadership Team which commands respect, trust, and confidence.
• Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections, and performance information and relevant strategic functions (e.g., health, safety, and security, confidentiality, and data protection).
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems, and experience of working on politically sensitive issues.

Behavioral & Other Characteristics Required:

• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth, and Zero Carbon.
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures (e.g., health, safety, and security, confidentiality, and data protection).
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values, and standards of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.