Principal Educational Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

As Principal Educational Psychologist, you will be able to provide strategic leadership for our Educational Psychology Service (EPS). You will drive high standards and innovation, ensuring the effective, evidence-based deployment of psychologists to meet both statutory duties and the demands of our traded service offer. The role of Principal Educational Psychologist is key to shaping the EPS, aligning it with council priorities like the Safety Valve agenda, and ensuring financial sustainability.

You will also play an active leadership role within the wider SEND & Inclusion service, contributing significantly to the local SEND strategic plan and fostering strong multi-agency partnerships to enhance outcomes for CYP with SEND and their families.

You will be fully qualified (Doctorate or Masters in Educational Psychology) and HCPC registered Educational Psychologist with significant post-qualification experience, preferably within a local authority.

As Educational Psychologist, you must have proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate professional staff, alongside experience in strategic planning, service development, and managing change. A deep understanding of relevant legislation (Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice), educational systems, and psychological theory is essential. We need an excellent communicator and collaborator with experience managing budgets and using data to drive service improvement. A commitment to ethical practice, equality, diversity, and inclusion is fundamental.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BPS recognised Honours degree in Psychology (or equivalent).
• Professional Post Graduate qualification in Educational Psychology (Doctorate or Masters).
• Registered as a Practitioner Psychologist (Educational) with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Evidence of relevant and ongoing CPD

Desirable

• Additional qualifications or training in leadership/management
• Specialist training in relevant areas (e.g., VIG, ELSA supervision, specific therapeutic approaches).

Experience

Essential

• Understanding of and commitment to the requirements of safeguarding children, young people, vulnerable adults and promoting their welfare.
• Understanding of and commitment to the requirements of safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults and promoting their welfare.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate a team of professional staff, including experience of supervision and performance management.
• Significant post-qualification experience working as an Educational Psychologist, preferably including experience within a local authority context.
• Demonstrable experience in strategic planning, service development, and managing change within a complex multi-professional environment.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation (e.g., Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice), educational systems, and psychological theory/practice relevant to CYP 0-25.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.
• Ability to analyse complex information, evaluate service impact, and use data to drive improvement.
• Commitment to applying psychology ethically and innovatively to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Commitment to recognising and promoting across practice equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Desirable

• Experience of successfully managing and developing traded services within an EPS.
• Experience in leading specific initiatives or areas of specialist practice (e.g., mental health strategies, critical incident response, specific interventions).
• Experience of representing an EP service at a senior level (e.g., SEND panels, strategic forums).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Bracknell Forest Council

Address

Time Square

Market Street

Bracknell

Berkshire

RG12 1JD

Employer's website

https://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)