JOB PURPOSE
The Assistant Educational Psychologist will contribute to the Education Authorities responsibilities for children with Special Educational Needs. They will be expected to contribute to the provision and development of an effective and high-quality Educational Psychology Service in the Education Authority. The Assistant Educational Psychologist will be expected to work under the supervision of Educational Psychologists and to support the work of the Educational Psychology Service in the delivery of core services, relating to assessment and intervention for children who may have Special Educational Needs and identified strategic projects.
They will assist the work of an Educational Psychologist on individual pieces of casework (e.g. by gathering data through structured observation; completing structured assessments with individuals); deliver training, mentoring, coaching; complete research tasks; and support the delivery of specific interventions for which they have been trained.
To gain experience, skills, knowledge and understanding of the role and professional practice of educational psychologists, in preparation for formal post-graduate professional training in Educational Psychology.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1 The Assistant Educational Psychologist will:
Support the work of an Educational Psychologists under the supervision of an experienced Educational Psychologist who has completed formal training in Supervision.
Support the deployment of resources under the supervision of the Principal/Senior Educational Psychologist.
Assist Educational Psychologists in the design and implementation of Service development projects as required.
Be responsible and accountable for casework under the supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist and carry out other duties within a Trust team ensuring the delivery of a high-quality service.
Assist a qualified Educational Psychologist with the development of assessment protocols as well as design of intervention they have been trained in; deliver training programmes across the Service under the supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist.
Undertake educational psychological assessments of children and young people in order to clarify their learning, social and emotional needs; including psychological tests, questionnaires, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect observations and semi-structured interviews as directed by supervising qualified Educational Psychologist.
Assist in the preparation of psychological reports under supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist.
Assist in the formulation and delivery of psychologically informed therapeutic interventions for individuals or groups interventions for which they have been trained under the supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist, to promote psychological wellbeing, social, emotional and behavioural development, and to raise educational standards.
Meet and advise parents and other professionals under the guidance of a qualified Educational Psychologist and communicate assessments results to teachers, parents and relevant others.
Liaise or work directly with all the specialists and professionals concerned on specific cases, research projects/pilots and intervention programmes as required and under the supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist.
To maintain accurate and detailed records of work undertaken, in accordance with Educational Psychology Service and Education Authority policies and provide written reports where required.
Assist with the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of Stage 2 and 3 recommendations, strategies and interventions.
Attend and contribute to appropriate multi-disciplinary meetings and individual pupil Statutory and Stage 2 reviews (e.g. reporting assessment findings, providing advice and evidence based recommendations under the guidance of a qualified Educational Psychologist.
Assist Educational Psychologists in the development and delivery of training and professional development for school staff and other professional groups, and training for parents/carers of children and young people.
Assist in the design and implementation of service development projects within the service as required and under the supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist. This will include research activities, involving the collection, analysis and maintenance of data, and in the production of information for officers of the Education Authority, schools, parents etc.
Develop a range of high level competencies appropriate to the work of the Educational Psychology Service, supported by regular supervision and practical opportunities for professional development.
Assist the Educational Psychology Service and their staff with other duties as required.
2 The Assistant Educational Psychologist will:
Work within the guidelines provided by professional Codes of Conduct of the Association of Educational Psychologists and the British Psychological Society by providing a professional standard of assessment and intervention in schools, as directed by the supervising Educational Psychologist.
Contribute to active research under the supervision of an Educational Psychologist and contribute to the initiation, development and implementation of new responses to changing needs and demands upon the team.
Contribute to the knowledge and understanding of schools in the area of psychology, child development and Special Educational Needs taking account of the new SEN Framework and SEN Strategic Review.
Assist the Regional Administration Manager as part of the EA’s Outcome Based Accountability programme.
All duties undertaken will be subject to supervision by appropriately qualified educational psychologists employed within the Educational Psychology Service. The duties and responsibilities allocated to the post holder will depend upon his or her knowledge, skills and experience at the time, as judged by his or her supervisors and managers.