JOB ROLE PROFILE AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Purpose of the Role:
Educational psychologists (EPs) work at various levels in the local area and apply psychology to promote the inclusion and improve the outcomes of children and young people with SEND (including emotional wellbeing and mental health). The service promotes a consultation model aligned with the SEND Code of Practice Assess Plan Do Review process across schools and settings.
Enfield EPS places importance on the development of leadership skills and knowledge for educational psychologists at all career stages and proactively supports the development of leadership at every stage in the service through a variety of work tasks.
Maingrade EPs work to:
* Contribute to the successful delivery of the educational psychology service according to an agreed allocation model based on the post holder’s work pattern.
* Provide psychological consultation, assessment and interventions that improve educational outcomes and life chances for children and young people.
* Contribute to the multi‑agency graduated response in relation to requests for educational psychology involvement for children and young people at SEN Support.
* Provide statutory advice towards Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments in line with service standards and working to statutory time frames.
* Contribute to the development of the EPS through engaging in the service’s CPD programme, workstreams and interest groups by agreement with Deputy Principal/Senior Educational Psychologist.
* Support the delivery of EPS‑led initiatives and work within a local area multi‑disciplinary team to deliver the agreed aims and outcomes.
Dimensions including Structure Chart:
1. Annual budgetary amounts with which the role is either directly or indirectly concerned: The post holder will not have budgetary responsibilities.
2. Structure Chart: See Appendix 1.
3. Number of direct reports: This post holder will not have direct reports.
4. Nature of reporting relationship between post holder and line manager: You will report to the Deputy Principal/Senior Educational Psychologist.
You will be expected to:
* Ensure all work meets service standards and engage in the quality assurance processes.
* Ensure all individual casefiles are maintained according to service standards.
* Keep the service performance tracker data up to date.
Key Accountabilities:
Professional and Work context
* To maintain the full range of professional knowledge, skills and experience to meet the requirements of the post and work to the Standards of Proficiency and Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics published by the HCPC.
* To apply a sound understanding of the legislation that guides the work of EPs and adhere to the values and time scales within this work.
* To maintain a working knowledge of key strategies and strategic values of the Local Area and EPS and ensure there is alignment with individual practice and performance.
* To proactively support the development of culturally responsive practice relating to the role of Educational Psychology.
Statutory SEN Processes
* To provide advice at the request of the Local Authority on the special educational needs of children and young people within the framework of current legislation and statutory duties.
* To be fully conversant with relevant legislative frameworks and guidance, Council policies and service guidelines and standards so that appropriate advice and support is provided within statutory timescales.
* To advise the local authority regarding children and young people subject to SEN Tribunal appeals and to attend Tribunal hearings where appropriate.
Preventative casework
* To provide a consultation service to educational settings, parents/carers and professionals with regard to concerns about children and young people in line with the service model and the graduated response as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice.
Record keeping, report writing and accountability
* To maintain appropriate documentation and written records in line with service guidelines, data protection and HCPC standards.
* To ensure that the service tracker is up to date so that there is current data about service delivery and performance.
Key Relationships (Internal and External)
There will be frequent internal contact with all members of the EP team and with office staff for operational purposes, information exchange, problem solving and undertaking specific projects in relation to the Service.
There will also be frequent external contact with schools, other educational settings, teams and professionals within educational, health and care, to ensure effective collaboration and consultation in relation to service delivery.
Equality and Diversity
The Council has a strong commitment to achieving equality in its service to the community and the employment of people and expects all employees to understand, comply with and promote its policies in their own work.
Health and Safety
The post holder shall ensure that the duties of the post are undertaken with due regard to the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and to their personal responsibilities under the provisions of the Health and Safety at work Act 1974 and all other relevant subordinate legislation.
For a more detailed definition of these responsibilities, refer to the current versions of the Corporate Health & Safety Policy, Group Safety Policy and employee information leaflet entitled “Health & Safety Policy; Guidance on Staff Health & Safety Responsibilities”.
Corporate Health and Safety Responsibilities
1. Understanding the hazards in the work they undertake;
2. Following safety rules and procedures;
3. Using work equipment, personal protective equipment, substances, and safety devices correctly; and
4. Working in accordance with the training provided and only undertaking tasks where appropriate training has been received.
Employees shall co‑operate with the Council by allowing it to comply with its duties towards them. This requires employees to:
* Take part in safety training and risk assessments and suggest ways of reducing risks;
* Take part in emergency evacuation exercises.
Employees shall report all accidents, ‘near miss’ incidents and work related ill health conditions to their manager/supervisor/team leader.
Employees shall read the Corporate Health & Safety – Organisation Part B Policy to ascertain and understand their responsibilities as an employee, line manager, Head of Service or Director of the Council.
Information Security
In order to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Council information, including information provided by customers, partner organisations, and other third parties, where applicable, employees will comply with the Council’s Information Security Policy.
Statement of Commitment to Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults through safer employment practice
Enfield Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Safe recruitment of staff is central to this commitment, and the Council will ensure that its recruitment policies and practices are robust, and that selection procedures prevent unsuitable people from gaining access to children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff employed to work with or on behalf of children and young people in the Council must be competent.
All staff working with Children & Vulnerable Adults should be aware of and share the commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when applying for posts at Enfield Council.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
1. Honours degree in Psychology.
2. Professional EP qualification obtained from a recognised training course.
3. Successful experience as either a qualified Educational Psychologist and/or a trainee EP on placement in the public sector.
4. Skills in working to a consultation model, undertaking psychological assessment and planning/delivering intervention programmes in partnership with schools and other professionals for children and young people.
5. Knowledge of psychological theories and their application in the field of education.
6. Understanding and application of psychological knowledge and theory in relation to individual casework, change and organisations.
7. Thorough understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, statutory frameworks and best practice affecting children and young people with SEN/D.
8. Extensive knowledge, experience and understanding of the major issues facing education for vulnerable pupils with SEN/D.
9. Demonstrable high level of self‑awareness in relation to cultural competency and a developing understanding of the dimensions of culturally responsible practice relating to Educational Psychology.
10. Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including consultation approaches which enable effective working and collaboration peers in the service and with children, young people and their families and other professions.
11. Research and collaboration skills that facilitate development work in the educational context.
12. Ability to manage change, conflicting demands, tight deadlines and record keeping.
13. Demonstrable high level of self‑awareness, resilience and effective coping strategies appropriate to the role of an educational psychologist. This includes seeking advice and help from others when faced with challenging situations.
14. Skill, knowledge and confidence in using specific and general IT.
15. Ability to travel round the Borough.
Desirable
1. Experience and/or interest in multi‑disciplinary work.
2. Experience of working with a wide range of professional agencies.
3. Extensive knowledge, experience and understanding of the major issues relating to the education of vulnerable children. and young people with mental health needs.
4. Qualification and/or experience in assessment/intervention in a therapeutic modality.
Knowledge
Knowledge of psychological theories and recent legislation and their application. Thorough understanding of relevant legislation, regulations, statutory frameworks and best practice affecting CYP with SEN/D.
Qualification
Recognised relevant Honours degree and professional qualification in educational psychology.
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