Job summary
CognusEducational Psychology Service is looking to recruit an Educational PsychologyAssistant (EPA) to join the team. Our current assistant has successfully gaineda place on the Educational Psychology Doctoral course. The Assistant will bebased in Carshalton Boys Sports College and work under the supervision of anEducational Psychologist in the Cognus team. This is an exciting opportunityfor an aspiring Educational Psychologist to develop skills in a number of areasprior to applying for a place on the doctoral training course.
Cognus EPS consists of qualified EducationalPsychologists, and Trainee Educational Psychologists as well as four mentalhealth practitioners who work as part of the Sutton Wellbeing Service. We offera traded service to schools in Sutton as well as other local settings and workon a number of commissioned projects with other professional groups andorganisations in the local area. The team works directly in schools, andliaises closely with school staff, parents/carers and other professionals.
Main duties of the job
a) To apply psychologyfor the benefit of children, young people and their families.
b)To work aspart of the Educational Psychology Service out of Carshalton Boys SportsCollege.
c)To workunder the guidance of qualified Educational Psychologists to assist inproviding intervention, training and other agreed support.
d)This roleis a 42-week fixed term contract with the potential to be extended.
About us
Cognusis about education we exist to support schools, families, and children/youngpeople to access, enjoy and thrive in educational settings in school and in thecommunity.
Cognusis commissioned by London Borough of Sutton to provide a wide range ofeducation services to mainstream schools and specialist education providers inSutton. We deliver awide range of 26 services from Admissions and Music, to SEND and Therapies to pursue excellence in education settings and improve the lives of children,young people, and families.
You will give us great commitment and in return we offer anexcellent package including:
i) Starting salary of £26,,pro rata £24,(42-week contract from September 2024 to July 2025)
ii)Workplace pension scheme 4% to 8%matched contributions
iii)28 days annual leave pro rata(plus Bank Holidays)
iv)Regular manager support and supervision.
v)Hybrid and Flexible working
vi)Staff benefits package, currently including EmployeeAssistance Programme, Perkbox and (upon completion of probation) SovereignHealthcare Cashback plans
vii) Staff Council, Staff EDI group and Mental Health FirstAiders to support wellbeing and inclusion
viii)Cognus Coaching Programmes
ix)An ambitious culture with friendly and supportivecolleagues
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
All duties undertaken will be subject to supervision by appropriatelyqualified Educational Psychologists employed within the Service.
The duties and responsibilities allocated to the post holder willdepend upon their knowledge, skills and experience at the time, as judged bytheir supervisor and line manager.
Subject to these general conditions, the post holder may be required toundertake any or all of the following duties as from time to time areconsidered appropriate to their capability, under such level of supervision asmay be deemed necessary by their supervisors:
To support school-based interventions for children and young peopleattending Carshalton BoysSports College
This could include the following:
a) To implementprogrammes of intervention to overcome barriers to learning/inclusion and topromote the social and emotional well-being of pupils.
b) Toundertake, and assist others in undertaking, the assessment of pupils in orderto clarify their learning, social and emotional needs.
c)To provide, where appropriate, direct support to pupils and theirparents/carers through training or therapeutic interventions with individualsor groups.
d) To assistEducational Psychologists in the delivery of training and professionaldevelopment for school staff, and training for parents/carers.
e) To assist inresearch activities, including the collection, analysis and maintenance ofdata, and in the production of information for officers of the authority,schools, parents etc.
f)To maintain accurate and detailed records of work undertaken, inaccordance with Service and Authority policies, and provide written reportswhere required.
g) To apply arange of different psychological tools and methods with pupils.
h) To workalongside Educational Psychologists to develop the skills to work at a systemiclevel.
i)To undertake appropriate Continuing Professional Development anddevelop knowledge of current theories and working practices within EducationalPsychology.
j)To maintain accurate andtimely records on systems such as Case Management, Synergy as required.
k)To keepappropriate written documentation using the framework set up by Cognus EPS andmaintain confidentiality.
COMPETENCIES
a)Ability torelate to children and young people, parents and professionals, with integrity,sensitivity and clarity, using psychology to inform consultations, assessmentsand relevant interventions.
b)Ability towork with a range of staff within educational environments, including Seniormanagers, SENCOs, teachers and learning support assistants to support thedevelopment of children and young people.
c)Ability towork with professionals from a variety of disciplines, including those fromhealth, social care and voluntary sector organisations to promote children andyoung peoples wellbeing and their development.
d)Ability toorganise and prioritise workloads, and to manage time effectively.
e)Experienceworking in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to workunder pressure.
f)Confidentworking autonomously and building strong therapeutic relationships withchildren/young people and families.
g)Anunderstanding special educational needs and the education system.
h)Anunderstanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.
i)Competencein the use of information communication technology equipment in order toundertake a range of administrative tasks.
j)Ability toreflect and develop practice within a supervision framework.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
1. a) Experience of having applied psychology-based knowledge and skills to work with children and young people and professionals in educational and/or community settings.
2. b) Experience of delivering training.
3. c) Experience of delivering group activities with primary and/or secondary aged children and young people.
4. d) Knowledge of current educational policy and practice.
5. e) Experience of working to support a diverse and multicultural community with a broad range of needs.
6. f) Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to work under pressure.
7. g) An awareness of issues relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.
8. h) Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding issues.
9. Candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
10. a) Values strong partnership working with parents, carers, schools and children and young people and other agencies, ensuring a multi-agency approach
11. b) Strong organisational skills and superb with deadlines
12. c) Strong oral and written communication skills
13. d) Ability to remain objective and act confidentially
14. e) Professional, courteous and strong customer service skills
15. f) Work as part of a team, sharing working knowledge and skills
16. g) Work flexibly, able to re-arrange work in relation to changing priorities and to meet the needs of the business
17. h) Able to support the safe delivery of activities
18. i) Work confidently and autonomously in building strong therapeutic relationships with children/young people and families
19. j) A thorough understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice
20. k) In line with service delivery needs, the post holder may be required to work outside normal office hours, for which prior notice will be given
21. l) If appointed, it will be your responsibility as an employee of Cognus Limited to treat all sensitive data that you will have access to during the course of your employment in line with the mandatory protocols to ensure data protection and compliance at all times. Act in accordance with GDPR
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
22. Knowledge of current educational policy and practice, particularly in relation to the implementation and methods of assessment within the curriculum, including Early Years Foundation Stage, the National Curriculum and Post 16 qualifications, work and training.
23. Detailed knowledge of current SEN and Disability legislation, and experience of contributing statutory psychological advice.
24. Values strong partnership working with parents, carers, schools and children and young people and other agencies, ensuring a multi-agency approach
25. Strong organisational skills and superb with deadlines
26. Strong oral and written communication skills
27. Strong analytical and interpretation skills
28. Ability to remain objective and act confidentiality
29. Professional, courteous and strong customer service skills
30. Work as part of a team, sharing working knowledge and skills
31. Work flexibly, able to re-arrange work in relation to changing priorities and to meet the needs of the business
32. Able to support the safe delivery of activities.
33. In line with service delivery needs, the post holder may be required to work outside normal office hours, for which prior notice will be given.
34. If appointed, it will be your responsibility as an employee of Cognus Limited to treat all sensitive data that you will have access to during the course of your employment in line with the mandatory protocols to ensure data protection and compliance at all times. Act in accordance with GDPR
Qualifications
Essential
35. Good Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by BPS and which satisfies the BPS requirements for graduate basis for registration (GBR)