Job Description
Interim Principal Educational Psychologist (Head of Service) Competitive Interim / Agency Day Rate | Immediate StartClosing Date: 31/03/2026, 5pmMedway Council is seeking an experienced and highly effective Interim Principal Educational Psychologist to provide senior leadership and strategic oversight during a pivotal period of improvement and change.This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned leader who can deliver immediate impact, drive innovation in statutory Educational Psychology functions, and support the service through a planned review aligned with wider SEND and Children’s Services reforms.With national SEND developments and increasing demand for statutory services, Medway is entering a critical phase. We are looking for a confident, strategic, and solutions-focused leader to stabilise, strengthen, and modernise the Educational Psychology Service while longer-term transformation plans are progressed.The RoleAs Interim Principal EP (Head of Service), you will provide visible and decisive leadership, ensuring statutory responsibilities are delivered to a high standard. You will play a key role in preparing the service for future redesign while maintaining strong operational performance.Key Responsibilities:
* Provide oversight and quality assurance of statutory EP functions
* Lead innovative approaches to increase capacity and manage rising demand
* Deliver a service-wide review, including recommendations on structure, practice, and workforce
* Embed efficient, research-led processes across assessment and intervention pathways
* Ensure strong operational performance, compliance, and service delivery
* Provide professional supervision to EPs and senior practitioners
* Support the wider 0–25 SEND leadership team
Key Priorities:
* Review and improve statutory pathways and operating models
* Introduce practice changes to create capacity for increased demand
* Strengthen early intervention to reduce reliance on formal assessments
* Develop and implement multidisciplinary solutions to improve outcomes and workflow
* Maintain compliance while enabling preventative and systemic EP practice
We are seeking a professional who:
* Has substantial experience at Principal EP level within complex environments
* Demonstrates confident, steady leadership during periods of change
* Can balance operational delivery with strategic development
* Has strong knowledge of SEND reforms and local authority statutory duties
* Has a proven track record of driving service improvement and innovation
* Is experienced in leading service reviews and transformation activity
* Is solutions-focused, resilient, and able to build credibility quickly
* Holds HCPC registration and a recognised Educational Psychology qualification
Why Choose Ackerman Pierce?Ackerman Pierce calls upon over 15 years' worth of experience in recruiting directly into the Social Work Sector. We can offer a unique experience within recruitment where you have your own personal consultant, a DBS and Compliance service with a quick and easy registration process. We pride ourselves on a guaranteed weekly payment process.To discuss this vacancy further or any other opportunities, please contact Elise Revett or email in your updated CV to us at Ackerman Pierce.