Job summary
The EP Service is seeking to appoint an
enthusiastic and innovative Educational Psychologist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be a team player who sees teamwork and peer
support as key factors in making a success of this role.
You will be joining an EP service with excellent admin
support, generous CPD allocation, and will have opportunities to further
develop individual areas of professional interest (e.g. Virtual School, MPTA,
EBSA, nurture groups, ELSA - including Early Years ELSA - training and
supervision, Senior Mental Wellbeing Training and Developmental Trauma
Support). We will offer a period of induction and support, and opportunities to
work collaboratively with colleagues.
We welcome applications from suitably qualified Educational
Psychologists and those entering their 3rd year of training.
The EPS is highly regarded within the local area and
currently provides a traded service to over 90% of Sutton schools. Our team
undertakes a variety of work across settings, including consultation, staff
support and training, and therapeutic work with children and families. We have
a number of additional contracts with other services, which enable the EPs in
the team to work in creative and interesting ways. For more info on our projects please view the full job description attached.
Applicants must be
professionally qualified and registered with the HCPC. Applicants to note
that this post is not paid on Soulbury terms and conditions
Main duties of the job
To apply psychology for the ultimate benefit of children, young people and their families. This is achieved through providing:
- Support to schools in meeting the needs of all pupils and in raising pupil achievement
- Advice to parents, carers and other agencies about childrens development and other needs as appropriate.
- The delivery of an effective EPS which will enable Cognus on behalf of the Local Authority and schools to meet statutory responsibilities.
About us
Cognus is commissioned, and wholly owned, by London Borough of Sutton, to provide education services to mainstream schools and specialist education providers in Sutton. We deliver a wide 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. We are committed to promoting equal access to education and maximise learning for every child, young person, parent/carer and professional.
We offer an
excellent package including:
- Workplace pension scheme 4% to 8% matched contributions
- 28 days annual leave pro rata (plus Bank Holidays)
- Regular manager
support and supervision.
- Hybrid and Flexible
working
- Staff benefits
package, currently including Employee Assistance Programme, Perkbox and (upon
completion of probation) Sovereign Healthcare Cashback plans
- Staff Council, Staff EDI group and Mental Health First
Aiders to support wellbeing and inclusion
- Cognus Coaching Programmes
- An ambitious culture with friendly and supportive
colleagues
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. To undertake all the duties expected of members of the Cognus Educational Psychology Service.
2. To be responsible for the delivery of psychological services to named schools and education providers. These professional services can be considered under four main headings:-
(a) Assessment of the psychological needs of prioritised children and young people and their families. To offer psychological intervention to children, young people and their families where appropriate.
(b) To contribute to statutory work relating to individual pupils including the preparation of psychological advice, attendance at annual reviews and transitional reviews where appropriate and in accordance with existing legislation.
(c) To contribute to work in schools, developed through consultation, involving work with the school as a system, involvement in school generated projects, in-service training and contact with groups of parents and school governors.
(d) To contribute advice and information to assist in the development and implementation of the Local authoritys policies on meeting the needs of schools, children and their parents.
3. To be responsible for delivery of psychological services to a number of preschool children, their parents and their pre-school provision as appropriate.
4. To attend SEN and Disability Tribunal hearings as a witness as required.
5. To undertake continuing professional development and receive regular supervision and engage in peer supervision as appropriate.
6. To work in collaboration with other agencies within the Local Authoritys Children and Young Peoples Learning Directorate, the Health Service including CAMHS, Adult Services, and the Private and Voluntary Sector as appropriate.
7. To keep appropriate written documentation using the framework set up by Cognus EPS and maintain confidentiality.
8. To undertake other such duties of a similar nature as may be required by the Principal Educational Psychologist and the responsible Executive Head.
COMPETENCIES
The main duties and responsibilities of the postholder are indicated below although other duties of an appropriate level and nature will also be required
- Ability to relate to children and young people, parents and professionals, with integrity, sensitivity and clarity, using psychology to inform consultations, assessments and relevant interventions
- Ability to use, describe and explain psychological concepts, theories, research and practice in a way that instils confidence, enthuses others and adds to their understanding
- Ability to work with a range of staff within educational environments, including senior managers, SENCOs, teachers and learning support assistants to support the development of children and young people.
- Ability to work with professionals from a variety of disciplines, including those from health, social care and voluntary sector organisations to promote children and young peoples wellbeing and their development
- Ability to organise and prioritise workloads, and to manage time effectively.
- Ability to deliver effective in-service training and to undertake research/project work.
- Ability to work as part of a team, where support for and from colleagues is valued, and to make a strong contribution to service development.
- Ability to demonstrate clear and detailed understanding of the legislative framework under which Local Authorities and Educational Psychology Services now operate.
- Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing to a variety of audiences, including parents, professional colleagues, and other professional partners.
- Competence in the use of information communication technology equipment in order to undertake a range of administrative tasks.
- Ability to provide independent psychological advice whilst representing the Local Authority.
- Ability to reflect and develop practice within a supervision framework
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. To undertake all the duties expected of members of the Cognus Educational Psychology Service.
2. To be responsible for the delivery of psychological services to named schools and education providers. These professional services can be considered under four main headings:-
(a) Assessment of the psychological needs of prioritised children and young people and their families. To offer psychological intervention to children, young people and their families where appropriate.
(b) To contribute to statutory work relating to individual pupils including the preparation of psychological advice, attendance at annual reviews and transitional reviews where appropriate and in accordance with existing legislation.
(c) To contribute to work in schools, developed through consultation, involving work with the school as a system, involvement in school generated projects, in-service training and contact with groups of parents and school governors.
(d) To contribute advice and information to assist in the development and implementation of the Local authoritys policies on meeting the needs of schools, children and their parents.
3. To be responsible for delivery of psychological services to a number of preschool children, their parents and their pre-school provision as appropriate.
4. To attend SEN and Disability Tribunal hearings as a witness as required.
5. To undertake continuing professional development and receive regular supervision and engage in peer supervision as appropriate.
6. To work in collaboration with other agencies within the Local Authoritys Children and Young Peoples Learning Directorate, the Health Service including CAMHS, Adult Services, and the Private and Voluntary Sector as appropriate.
7. To keep appropriate written documentation using the framework set up by Cognus EPS and maintain confidentiality.
8. To undertake other such duties of a similar nature as may be required by the Principal Educational Psychologist and the responsible Executive Head.
COMPETENCIES
The main duties and responsibilities of the postholder are indicated below although other duties of an appropriate level and nature will also be required
- Ability to relate to children and young people, parents and professionals, with integrity, sensitivity and clarity, using psychology to inform consultations, assessments and relevant interventions
- Ability to use, describe and explain psychological concepts, theories, research and practice in a way that instils confidence, enthuses others and adds to their understanding
- Ability to work with a range of staff within educational environments, including senior managers, SENCOs, teachers and learning support assistants to support the development of children and young people.
- Ability to work with professionals from a variety of disciplines, including those from health, social care and voluntary sector organisations to promote children and young peoples wellbeing and their development
- Ability to organise and prioritise workloads, and to manage time effectively.
- Ability to deliver effective in-service training and to undertake research/project work.
- Ability to work as part of a team, where support for and from colleagues is valued, and to make a strong contribution to service development.
- Ability to demonstrate clear and detailed understanding of the legislative framework under which Local Authorities and Educational Psychology Services now operate.
- Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing to a variety of audiences, including parents, professional colleagues, and other professional partners.
- Competence in the use of information communication technology equipment in order to undertake a range of administrative tasks.
- Ability to provide independent psychological advice whilst representing the Local Authority.
- Ability to reflect and develop practice within a supervision framework
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Direct, relevant and appropriate work with children and young people (0 25 years) within educational, childcare or community settings.
- Experience of working collaboratively and contributing to team and multidisciplinary working.
- Experience of working to support a diverse and multicultural community with a broad range of needs.
Qualifications
Essential
- Post graduate professional qualification in Educational Psychology
- Good Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by BPS and which satisfies the BPS requirements for graduate basis for registration (GBR);
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Educational Psychologist;
- Eligible for Chartered status with the BPS
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- 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.
- Detailed knowledge of current SEN and Disability legislation, and experience of contributing statutory psychological advice.
- Values strong partnership working with parents, carers, schools and children and young people and other agencies, ensuring a multi-agency approach
- Strong organisational skills and superb with deadlines
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Strong analytical and interpretation skills
- Ability to remain objective and act confidentiality
- Professional, courteous and strong customer service skills
- Work as part of a team, sharing working knowledge and skills
- Work flexibly, able to re-arrange work in relation to changing priorities and to meet the needs of the business
- Able to support the safe delivery of activities.
- 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.
- 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
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Direct, relevant and appropriate work with children and young people (0 25 years) within educational, childcare or community settings.
- Experience of working collaboratively and contributing to team and multidisciplinary working.
- Experience of working to support a diverse and multicultural community with a broad range of needs.
Qualifications
Essential
- Post graduate professional qualification in Educational Psychology
- Good Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by BPS and which satisfies the BPS requirements for graduate basis for registration (GBR);
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Educational Psychologist;
- Eligible for Chartered status with the BPS
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- 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.
- Detailed knowledge of current SEN and Disability legislation, and experience of contributing statutory psychological advice.
- Values strong partnership working with parents, carers, schools and children and young people and other agencies, ensuring a multi-agency approach
- Strong organisational skills and superb with deadlines
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Strong analytical and interpretation skills
- Ability to remain objective and act confidentiality
- Professional, courteous and strong customer service skills
- Work as part of a team, sharing working knowledge and skills
- Work flexibly, able to re-arrange work in relation to changing priorities and to meet the needs of the business
- Able to support the safe delivery of activities.
- 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.
- 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
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
