Job summary
Cognus Educational
Psychology Service is looking to recruit an Educational Psychology Assistant
(EPA) to join the team. The Assistant will be based in a local school or college and
work under the supervision of an Educational Psychologist in the Cognus team.
This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring Educational Psychologist to
develop skills in a number of areas prior to applying for a place on the
doctoral training course. Cognus EP service has close connections with the
London Doctorate courses and has supervisors from the UCL / IOE doctorate
program among the team.
Cognus EPS consists
of qualified Educational Psychologists, and Trainee Educational Psychologists
as well as four mental health practitioners who work as part of the Sutton
Wellbeing Service. We offer a traded service to schools in Sutton as well as
other local settings and work on a number of commissioned projects with other
professional groups and organisations in the local area. The team works
directly in schools, and liaises closely with school staff, parents/carers and
other professionals.
Main duties of the job
a) To apply psychology for the benefit of children, young people and their families.
b)
To work as
part of the Educational Psychology Service out of a local school/college.
c)
To work
under the guidance of qualified Educational Psychologists to assist in
providing intervention, training and other agreed support.
d)
This role
is a term-time only fixed term contract to July 2027 with the potential to be extended.
Note: This is a
temporary post suitable for psychology graduates who are awaiting, or proposing
to apply for, admission to an approved course of post-graduate training leading
to a doctorate-level qualification in the professional practice of Educational
Psychology, recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council.
About us
Cognus Limited is a
Local Authority Traded Company, which is commissioned by the London Borough of
Sutton to provide education services to early years providers, mainstream
schools and specialist education settings in Sutton. Wholly owned by the local
authority, we deliver a wide range of high-quality services to deliver
excellent practice that improve the lives of children, young people, and
families in Sutton and beyond.
You will give us great commitment
and in return we offer an excellent package including:
i)
Starting salary of £25706.72
for 38 weeks (Contract from September 2026 to July 2027
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
Employee Assistance Programme, life insurance, employee benefits platform and
(upon completion of probation) health care [Cognus reserves the right
to adjust these additional discretionary benefits to improve quality of their
services provided, maintain affordability for the Company and to ensure
benefits remain fit for purpose with staff needs.]
vii)
Staff EDI group and Mental Health First Aiders
to support wellbeing and inclusion
viii)
Cognus Coaching Programmes
ix)
An ambitious culture with friendly and
supportive colleagues
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
All duties undertaken will be subject to supervision by appropriately
qualified Educational Psychologists employed within the Service.
The duties and responsibilities allocated to the post holder will
depend upon their knowledge, skills and experience at the time, as judged by
their supervisor and line manager.
Subject to these general conditions, the post holder may be required to
undertake any or all of the following duties as from time to time are
considered appropriate to their capability, under such level of supervision as
may be deemed necessary by their supervisors:
To support school-based interventions for children and young people
attending School / College
This could include the following:
- To implement programmes of intervention to overcome barriers to
learning/inclusion and to promote the social and emotional well-being of
pupils.
- To undertake, and assist others in undertaking, the assessment of
pupils in order to clarify their learning, social and emotional needs.
- To provide, where appropriate, direct support to pupils and their
parents/carers through training or therapeutic interventions with individuals
or groups.
- To assist Educational Psychologists in the delivery of training and
professional development for school staff, and training for parents/carers.
- To assist in research activities, including the collection, analysis
and maintenance of data, and in the production of information for officers of
the authority, schools, parents etc.
- To maintain accurate and detailed records of work undertaken, in
accordance with Service and Authority policies, and provide written reports
where required.
- To apply a range of different psychological tools and methods with
pupils.
- To work alongside Educational Psychologists to develop the skills to
work at a systemic level.
- To undertake appropriate Continuing Professional Development and
develop knowledge of current theories and working practices within Educational
Psychology.
- To maintain accurate and
timely records on systems such as Case Management, Synergy as required.
- To keep
appropriate written documentation using the framework set up by Cognus EPS and
maintain confidentiality.
Competencies
- 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 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.
- Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the
ability to work under pressure.
- Confident working autonomously and building strong therapeutic
relationships with children/young people and families.
- An understanding special educational needs and the education system.
- An understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.
- Competence in the use of information communication technology equipment
in order to undertake a range of administrative tasks.
- Ability to reflect and develop practice within a supervision
framework.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
All duties undertaken will be subject to supervision by appropriately
qualified Educational Psychologists employed within the Service.
The duties and responsibilities allocated to the post holder will
depend upon their knowledge, skills and experience at the time, as judged by
their supervisor and line manager.
Subject to these general conditions, the post holder may be required to
undertake any or all of the following duties as from time to time are
considered appropriate to their capability, under such level of supervision as
may be deemed necessary by their supervisors:
To support school-based interventions for children and young people
attending School / College
This could include the following:
- To implement programmes of intervention to overcome barriers to
learning/inclusion and to promote the social and emotional well-being of
pupils.
- To undertake, and assist others in undertaking, the assessment of
pupils in order to clarify their learning, social and emotional needs.
- To provide, where appropriate, direct support to pupils and their
parents/carers through training or therapeutic interventions with individuals
or groups.
- To assist Educational Psychologists in the delivery of training and
professional development for school staff, and training for parents/carers.
- To assist in research activities, including the collection, analysis
and maintenance of data, and in the production of information for officers of
the authority, schools, parents etc.
- To maintain accurate and detailed records of work undertaken, in
accordance with Service and Authority policies, and provide written reports
where required.
- To apply a range of different psychological tools and methods with
pupils.
- To work alongside Educational Psychologists to develop the skills to
work at a systemic level.
- To undertake appropriate Continuing Professional Development and
develop knowledge of current theories and working practices within Educational
Psychology.
- To maintain accurate and
timely records on systems such as Case Management, Synergy as required.
- To keep
appropriate written documentation using the framework set up by Cognus EPS and
maintain confidentiality.
Competencies
- 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 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.
- Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the
ability to work under pressure.
- Confident working autonomously and building strong therapeutic
relationships with children/young people and families.
- An understanding special educational needs and the education system.
- An understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.
- Competence in the use of information communication technology equipment
in order to undertake a range of administrative tasks.
- Ability to reflect and develop practice within a supervision
framework.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- 1.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.Experience of delivering training.
- 3.Experience of delivering group activities with primary and/or secondary aged children and young people.
- 4.Knowledge of current educational policy and practice.
- 5.Experience of working to support a diverse and multicultural community with a broad range of needs.
- 6.Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to work under pressure.
- 7.An awareness of issues relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- 8.Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding issues.
- 9.Candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- 10.Values strong partnership working with parents, carers, schools and children and young people and other agencies, ensuring a multi-agency approach.
- 11.Strong organisational skills and superb with deadlines.
- 12.Strong oral and written communication skills.
- 13.Ability to remain objective and act confidentially.
- 14.Professional, courteous and strong customer service skills.
- 15.Work as part of a team, sharing working knowledge and skills.
- 16.Work flexibly, able to re-arrange work in relation to changing priorities and to meet the needs of the business.
- 17.Able to support the safe delivery of activities.
- 18.Work confidently and autonomously in building strong therapeutic relationships with children/young people and families.
- 19.A thorough understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.
Qualifications
Essential
- The postholder will be expected to have:
- Good Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by BPS and which satisfies the BPS requirements for graduate basis for registration (GBR)
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- 1.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.Experience of delivering training.
- 3.Experience of delivering group activities with primary and/or secondary aged children and young people.
- 4.Knowledge of current educational policy and practice.
- 5.Experience of working to support a diverse and multicultural community with a broad range of needs.
- 6.Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to work under pressure.
- 7.An awareness of issues relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- 8.Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding issues.
- 9.Candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- 10.Values strong partnership working with parents, carers, schools and children and young people and other agencies, ensuring a multi-agency approach.
- 11.Strong organisational skills and superb with deadlines.
- 12.Strong oral and written communication skills.
- 13.Ability to remain objective and act confidentially.
- 14.Professional, courteous and strong customer service skills.
- 15.Work as part of a team, sharing working knowledge and skills.
- 16.Work flexibly, able to re-arrange work in relation to changing priorities and to meet the needs of the business.
- 17.Able to support the safe delivery of activities.
- 18.Work confidently and autonomously in building strong therapeutic relationships with children/young people and families.
- 19.A thorough understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.
Qualifications
Essential
- The postholder will be expected to have:
- Good Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by BPS and which satisfies the BPS requirements for graduate basis for registration (GBR)
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).
