Location: Aylesbury
Overview
Buckinghamshire Council’s Educational Psychology Service (EPS) is expanding, and we want dynamic psychologists to be part of our thriving team.
Following several years of successful recruitment to the service and delivery of a diverse offer to schools, the council has invested in permanently extending the service. This extension and progression to new senior posts within the team have created vacancies at the main grade level.
Take a look at our to find out more.
Salary: £60,994 - £64,070 per annum
In addition to the salary advertised, you will receive a market premium of £2,500 per annum. You will also be entitled to a one-off Golden Hello payment of £2,000 after one years’ service (please note the Golden Hello payment is for external candidates only).
We will consider applications for full or part time working, and for those who are looking to relocate for the role, we offer a relocation package up to £8,000 subject to approval.
About us
Our large and talented team consists of Educational Psychologists (EPs), Assistant EPs, and Trainee EPs. The EPs are led by a dynamic leadership team of Seniors, Deputies and the Principal EP, providing excellent line management and good potential for progression within the service. We offer a hybrid model of consultation and assessment-based advice, blending face-to-face and remote working opportunities.
Our non-statutory offer is comprehensive and includes a link EP model to our mainstream and special schools as well as several countywide projects which align with strategic plans to meet the needs of the local population. This currently includes the projects outlined below and will continue to evolve with the growth of the service and newly created specialisms for Senior EPs meaning there is an exciting opportunity to further shape system-wide delivery of educational psychology across the LA:
1. School workforce development: clinical supervision for Head Teachers; group supervisions for SEMH practitioners (including ELSA, Nurture and EBSA leads); production and ongoing expansion of an e-learning platform for new to role practitioners in schools.
2. Vulnerable groups support: drop-in sessions delivered in conjunction with the Virtual School; the EBSA pathway including drop-ins, assessments and consultations to compliment delivery of the local EBSA toolkit; pilot projects in the impact of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles in schools.
3. Early Years provision: group supervision with our early years practitioner team; previous delivery of the Holding Hands Project now being re-visited in order to develop an offer to children with significant SEMH needs in the foundation stage.
4. Post 16: we are looking to develop our post-16 offer with the creation of a new strategic lead.
We collaborate closely with the SEND service, delivering multi-professional problem-solving spaces (TEAM UP), supervision for SEND colleagues, and training for children’s services staff.
Our EPs benefit from excellent clinical supervision and long-established peer supervision networks, fostering creativity and professional growth.
Whether it’s sharing ideas, celebrating wins, or supporting each other through challenges - you’re never alone here.
About the role
As an EP with us, you’ll engage in a rewarding array of work at the preventative, early intervention, and statutory levels. You’ll have the opportunity to practice across individual, family, school, and whole LA system levels.
Contributing to EHC Needs Assessments is a key part of the role, with statutory work allocated outside the link EP model as a fixed portion of the week allowing you protected time for your link role and non-statutory projects.
We value individuality, encourage creativity, and foster autonomy, allowing you to shape your role and maximize your impact.
Click the link below to hear our team share the impact they make every day.
Mobile:
A ‘mobile’ role gives you the flexibility to schedule your own diary, so you can meet with colleagues and clients in a variety of locations. You’ll access digital folders and resources on your laptop and be able to use the network wherever you are based. Working from home will be common, as well as meeting your team in the office where necessary.
About you
We’re looking for dynamic individuals with up-to-date psychological skills and knowledge to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and young people in Buckinghamshire. You’ll need excellent interpersonal skills, be a committed team player, and be eager to contribute to the development of EP practice both locally and nationally.
We pride ourselves on nurturing the professional development of all team members, whether you’re an experienced practitioner or newly qualified. We welcome applications from Trainee EPs at all stages of the doctorate, as well as those already on the HCPC Register.
Click the link below to hear from the team about Learning and Development opportunities.