Senior Educational Psychologist

2 months ago

Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom Leeds City Council Full time

Job Title: Senior Educational Psychologist/Service Lead for SEND Inclusion

Salary: £75,571 to £82,929

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds

As a Senior Educational Psychologist/Service Lead for SEND Inclusion, you are driven by the conviction that every child and young person deserves the necessary support to reach their full potential during their educational journey.

This role transcends mere service delivery; it presents an opportunity to shape a forward-thinking learning inclusion service. You will prioritize the needs of children and young people, actively involving them and their families in the decision-making processes that affect their education and development.

This pivotal position within our learning inclusion service encompasses oversight of our educational psychology and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support functions. We operate under the auspices of Leeds City Council's children's services, which has received outstanding ratings from regulatory bodies in previous assessments. Our commitment to restorative practices and a Family Valued Model is deeply ingrained in our operations, driving our focus on achieving the objectives outlined in our strategic plans.

We are dedicated to the vision of Child Friendly Leeds, aspiring to create an environment where all children and young people are safe, content, and healthy, excel academically, realize their potential, and grow into engaged citizens.

Leeds City Council is among the largest employers in the region, with a workforce exceeding 14,000. We aim to attract and nurture talented individuals who reflect our council's values and aspirations.

About You

In your capacity as Senior Educational Psychologist/Service Lead for SEND Inclusion, you will possess a degree in psychology (with eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society) and a postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology, achieved through one of the following pathways:

Qualified Teacher Status (with a minimum of 2 years' teaching experience) and MSc training in Educational Psychology; or A minimum of 2 years' experience working with children and young people, alongside 3 years of doctoral training in Educational Psychology.

Candidates must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.

You will also bring to the role:

Extensive management experience in children's services, demonstrating a successful track record of translating policy into tangible service delivery and outcomes. Strong leadership and people management skills, fostering a culture of positivity and continuous improvement among individuals and teams. A collaborative mindset, capable of establishing and nurturing successful partnerships, influencing, negotiating, and building credibility for the service in a multi-agency context. A comprehensive understanding of regulations, legislation, and policies, along with local and national issues that influence service strategy and delivery. A commitment to amplifying the voices of children and young people, ensuring their families are actively involved in decision-making processes and working collaboratively towards shared outcomes.

About the Role

As the Senior Educational Psychologist/Service Lead for SEND Inclusion, you will play a crucial role in our SEN and Inclusion Senior Management Team, contributing your expertise to strategic planning across the educational service.

This is a remarkable opportunity to effect meaningful change in SEND provision and inclusion for numerous children in a major urban center. You will hold a leadership position within a large local authority, characterized by well-established strategic connections with health and care partners, as well as strong collaborative relationships with educational institutions.

You will lead and manage the educational psychology team and other specialized SEND teams, which include those supporting young individuals with cognitive and learning needs, social communication and interaction challenges, social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as those who are deaf, hearing impaired, or visually impaired. Additionally, you will oversee our early years team and colleagues focused on quality assurance and funding.

The well-being and perspectives of children and young people are at the heart of our mission, and our guiding principle is to ensure their voices are heard and valued.

You will join us during a period of positive transformation and advancement, making you a vital contributor to the council's strategy for delivering high-quality integrated services. We are actively working to streamline access to our SEND services, ensuring that educational settings can receive timely assistance from the appropriate teams.

The Leeds Educational Psychology Team is a large, dynamic, and innovative group, comprising psychologists with diverse experiences and interests, collaborating with colleagues and partners throughout the city. Within this comprehensive framework, we engage in exciting initiatives, such as our trauma-informed approach aimed at transforming responses for young people affected by adverse experiences, and ongoing efforts to support educational settings in meeting the needs of neurodiverse young individuals. We maintain strong partnerships with the Virtual School, Youth Justice Service, and Area Inclusion Partnerships to support children facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges while working to reduce exclusions. Our close ties with universities enhance doctoral training and foster research and development opportunities for the entire team.

Initially, you will leverage your leadership expertise to collaborate with an established group of Senior Educational Psychologists to achieve the objectives outlined in the team plan. Your role will involve strengthening an already robust team through targeted recruitment and retention strategies.

What We Offer You

We take pride in providing an exceptional employee experience, with benefits that include:

A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement, in addition to statutory holidays. Membership in the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, featuring generous employer contributions. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, subject to service requirements. A clear career pathway and opportunities for continuing professional development. A variety of staff benefits designed to enhance your well-being and financial well-being.

How to Apply

Please complete the online application form. Refer to our guidance for further assistance. Ensure that your information is accurate and that all sections are completed before submitting your application.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be conducted on preferred candidates. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and seek a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognized for its commitment to equality and inclusion.

All new appointments at Leeds City Council are subject to the successful completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional upon confirmation of the right to work in the UK.

Job Purpose: As part of the management team, you will exemplify values and behaviors that align with our ambition to become the leading city council in the country. You will fulfill your core statutory responsibilities while supporting your colleagues in our collective mission to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.

You will advocate for the active involvement of children, young people, and families in shaping the delivery of Children's Services, ensuring their voices are heard in alignment with the Council's ambitions.

Responsibilities:

Provide strategic leadership and management of the Educational Psychology Team, ensuring services align with Council and Directorate priorities. Foster best practices within Learning Inclusion to enhance support and provision for children and young people with SEND. Develop systems and protocols related to local authority and statutory duties. Lead the development of policies in accordance with national and local guidance regarding specific areas of SEND. Effectively translate strategy into operational performance within Inclusion services. Support cohesive, high-quality, and coordinated interventions for children with SEND across the city. Engage in collaborative development and implementation of team/service plans, responding to feedback from external assessments. Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. Build and maintain strong relationships with partners to facilitate a multi-agency approach centered on the needs of children and young people. Lead and manage all aspects of people management within the service, providing direction and support to team members. Champion the aspiration to create a child-friendly city by fostering a culture that prioritizes the needs of children, families, and staff. Represent the Head of Service on matters related to leadership, management, and development of the service. Implement regular quality assurance and performance management processes to meet statutory requirements. Shape and deliver the vision and goals of the Children's and Young People's Plan. Support effective partnership arrangements to drive change and improvement in family services. Manage effective multi-agency relationships to ensure safe and effective services for children. Ensure financial accountability within the service area, ensuring value for money. Ensure all staff are registered with the appropriate professional bodies and receive ongoing professional development. Drive a program that aligns with the Council's strategic goals and values. Promote diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery, focusing on equitable outcomes.

The duties outlined are not exhaustive and may include additional responsibilities commensurate with the role.

Qualifications:

A degree in psychology (with eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society) and a postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology through one of the following pathways:

Qualified Teacher Status (with a minimum of 2 years' teaching experience) and MSc training in Educational Psychology; or A minimum of 2 years' experience working with children and young people, alongside 3 years of doctoral training in Educational Psychology.

Working Context: Post holders will work flexibly, complying with hybrid working principles and spending regular time in the workplace to support service delivery. Working days are primarily Monday to Friday, with the expectation of attending evening or weekend meetings as required.

Essential Requirements: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they meet all essential criteria, including:

Significant management experience within children's services, translating policy into service delivery and outcomes. Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders. Experience in a multi-agency environment, implementing and delivering strategies. Ability to develop creative solutions to complex managerial challenges. Experience in leading and developing teams to achieve positive outcomes for children. Financial accountability within recognized rules and procedures. Knowledge of local and national issues affecting the service. Strong communication skills to influence and negotiate effectively. Understanding of the Child Friendly City concept and the importance of children's voices. Knowledge of evidence-based approaches in services for children and families. Experience in managing services and achieving quality outcomes. Commitment to engaging citizens and stakeholders in decision-making processes. Experience in developing relationships with Council Members and leadership teams. Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies.

Behavioral Characteristics:

Commitment to continuous improvement and the Best City Ambition. Understanding and adherence to Leeds City Council values and policies. Promotion of equality and diversity in all aspects of work. Ability to challenge incidents of discrimination and promote a safe environment. Compliance with health and safety policies.

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