Placement Opportunity 2026-2027
Organisation’s Contact Details:
Devon Educational Psychology Service – Devon County Council
Main Contact:
Dr Polly Warrington – Senior Educational Psychologist
Organisation’s Main Activity:
Providing educational psychology services for children and young people aged 0-25.
Placement Description – Duties and Responsibilities:
Devon Educational Psychology Service is offering three, one-year voluntary placements (school term time only, 4 days a week) for third-year psychology students. You will be based in Exeter, Totnes, or Barnstaple and gain hands-on experience in applied professional psychology within schools, families, and communities. We are looking for self-motivated students who are enthusiastic about applied psychology and working with children and young people, especially those considering a career as an Educational Psychologist (EP). Good word processing and IT skills (Microsoft Office including Excel) are required.
Role: Undergraduate Educational Psychology Assistant (UEPA)
You will receive a structured induction, including training in Devon County Council (DCC) systems, various psychological approaches, and opportunities to observe psychologists and other professionals. You will be a valued member of our team and have regular supervision from an Educational Psychologist who will coordinate with your university tutor.
Responsibilities:
1. Work collaboratively with Educational Psychologists, children/young people, parents, school staff, and other teams.
2. Adhere to HCPC guidelines for practitioner psychologists - working with integrity as part of a professional team.
3. Develop skills and knowledge in the areas of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice
- Cognition and Learning
- Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
- Communication and Interaction autism spectrum conditions)
- Physical and Sensory needs
Tasks:
4. Assist Educational Psychologists with statutory work, including Education, Health, and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs):
- Prepare and gather information for individual case assessments.
- Assist in EHCNA Joint Assessment Meetings (JAMs).
- Use structured observation techniques.
- Capture the voice of the child/young person.
- Analyse data.
5. Assist Specialist Senior Educational Psychologists with service development in the areas of Cognition and Learning, Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), Virtual School, and Early Years.
6. Support the delivery and evaluate psychological interventions, including training in programs like the Overcoming Programme.
7. Assist with the embedding of Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP) in schools.
8. Evaluate the impact of EP work through service evaluations, surveys, and feedback.
9. Develop web-based resources.
Future Opportunities:
10. Use the placement to guide final year research.
11. Potential to pursue a career in Educational Psychology.
Candidate Requirements:
12. Experience of working with children and young people.
13. Understanding of safeguarding.
14. Interest in applying psychology to help children and young people.
15. Ability to work with integrity in a professional team.
16. Interest in using research in applied settings.
Salary / Remuneration – Living / Travel Allowance:
This is an unpaid voluntary placement. A driving license and access to a car are desirable. Mileage expenses whilst on DCC business will be reimbursed.
Application Procedure:
If interested, please send a letter of application and your CV. Your application should cover your experience related to the candidate requirements above.
To:
If you have any questions or would like an informal conversation, please contact:
Polly Warrington or
Claire Bedford
Closing Date for Applications: 23rd March 2026.