Educational Psychologist

**Educational Psychologist, Child, Young People and Learning**

**We are looking for perferably South African applicants,**

**Join us - make a difference in our communities**

As an integral part of the SEND and Inclusion service, the Educational Psychology Service (EPS) supports the delivery of the Local Authority’s wellbeing strategy and Special Educational Needs and Disability strategy across educational settings, children,young people and families throughout. The EPS directly oversees the Portage Service and the Mental Health Support Teams in schools, with Education Psychologists playing an important role in both.

We have a growing chargeable service focussed on wellbeing which enables us to offer a range of evidence-based support to schools and other settings, including consultation and training. We have a well-developed Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)programme and lead on the county wide Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) support in addition to EPs contributing to other services such as our Virtual School and a specialist CAMHS service.

We are an incredibly friendly and supportive team of around 40 EPs and Trainee Psychologists. We value diversity in practice and are committed to supporting the future of our profession.

We are looking for colleagues who will add to our vibrant and creative team.

**About the job**

As an Educational Psychologist you will provide educational psychology services through advice, consultation, assessment, training, research, and evaluation to the local authority and to schools and settings on children with additional needs and difficultieswithin an Area of the County.

**What you’ll need to succeed**
- You’ll need proven relevant experience as an Education Psychologist
- You’ll be able to work collaboratively with team members and all stakeholders, to achieve outcomes for children and families.
- You’ll have a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people within education settings.
- You’ll have a passion for promoting mental health and wellbeing
- You’ll be able to work with a focus on delivering services to children, families, and settings, acting with integrity and respect on behalf of the organization and honoring confidentiality.
- You’ll support equality and diversity and respects customers, clients, and other members of staff regardless of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or ethnic origin.

**Job details**

Grade: Soulbury Scale A2-7, Educational Psychologist plus up to 3 SPA points as appropriate

Directorate Group: Children, Young People & Learning

**Required experience and skills**

(These will be used as the shortlisting criteria)

**Key Skills**:

- A strong work ethic that delivers.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to persuade and influence.
- Ability to self-reflect and evaluate performance.
- Excellent time management and personal organisational skills; and
- Most importantly, passion, drive, and enthusiasm to work within a strong team ethos that places wellbeing at the heart of your work.

**Qualifications and/or experience**:

- An Honours Degree in Psychology or recognised equivalent qualification.
- Substantial relevant experience working with children in education or children’s services or both.
- Successfully followed a course of specific post graduate professional training as an educational psychologist.
- Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development in line with the job description **_Desirable._**:

- Recent successful training or experience as an educational psychologist.
- Teaching or other experience in more than one sector of education or work with children and young people **_Desirable._**:
**Key responsibilities**

- General Professional Responsibilities:

- Work in accordance with the aims and objectives of the Special Educational Needs and Intervention Business plan and the business plan of the Educational Psychology Service. Work with children, young people and their families and teachers within a designatedgeographical area and outside of this when required. Give support to schools including special schools, units and special needs departments of mainstream schools, and assist in developing educational arrangements designed to promote learning and participationin education. Advise on surveys and monitoring procedures and initiate developments in policy and practice in consultation with the Principal Educational Psychologist and other advisory colleagues. Contribute to the County’s response to sad events and criticalincidences, undertaking specialist training and providing specialist support as required.

Advice to the Director(s) of Education and Skills, senior leadership team and colleagues,
- Assist and advise the Authority: - In meeting the requirements of Education legislation including The Children and Families Act (part 3) On arrangements necessary for the support of children with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools.On current issues related to children’s learning, behaviour and emotional wellbeing and mental health. Represent the views of the Educational Psychology Service at multi-disciplinary or inter—service teams or meetings.

3. In-Service Training - Educational Psychologists may be required to:

- Contribute to training for teachers and other professionals Contribute to programmes of training and supervise the field work of students attending courses on educational psychology and related fields. Contribute to the development of courses run by andfor other professionals, groups, and other staff within the Council. Assist teachers in collaboration with other key stakeholders to develop initiatives regarding meeting children’s educational needs including those children with special needs in both mainstreamand special schools.

4. Undertake any other duties appropriate to the level/status of the post as required.