Assistant Educational Psychologist

Cognus Limited

This job is now closed

Job summary

Cognus Educational Psychology Service (EPS) is looking to recruit an Assistant Educational Psychologist (AsEP) to join the team, with a specific focus of the role in supporting Sutton Virtual School. We are seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and innovative and willing to learn.

As an AsEP within Sutton Virtual School, you will play a vital role in promoting the well-being and academic success of children in care by applying your knowledge and skills in psychology. It is anticipated that the role will involve direct intervention work with children, young people and families as well as assist in delivering training for school staff and other professionals on topics related to child development, attachment, trauma-informed practice, inclusive education and the gathering of information about the needs of children and young people which will be provided to an EP who may be completing work to assess individual needs.

This role is a one-year fixed term contract to support a pilot project being run by Sutton Virtual School

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.

Applicants must have the required educational qualifications and be eligible for registration with the British Psychological Society.

Main duties of the job

Children and young people under the care of Sutton Virtual School will be looked after, or have a social worker, and may have experienced trauma and adverse experiences. Higher levels of social vulnerability and special educational needs are known to be prevalent within these groups too. Applicants will therefore need to demonstrate good knowledge and a strong understanding of the social and psychological stresses experienced by these populations and experience of working directly with vulnerable children, young people and families. Additional training will be provided at the start and throughout this post, but a pre-existing knowledge base and experience is required.

Job Summary:

To apply psychology for the benefit of children, young people and their families.
To work as part of the Educational Psychology Service with a specific focus on pupils, families and professionals known to Sutton Virtual School
To work under the guidance of qualified Educational Psychologists to provide intervention, training and other agreed support to clients of Sutton Virtual School

About us

Cognus EPS consists of qualified Educational Psychologists, and Trainee Educational Psychologists as well as the management team. 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. The team is based in the Cognus offices in Wallington and team members work flexibly between the office, schools and other settings and remotely.

The successful applicant will be employed by Cognus. Cognus is part of the London Borough of Sutton.

You will give us great commitment and in return we offer an excellent package including:

Workplace pension scheme with 4%-8% matched contributions
28 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays
Regular manager support and supervision
Hybrid and flexible working
Staff benefits package, currently including Perkbox, an Employee Assistance Programme and (upon completion of probation) Sovereign Cashback Healthcare 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

Date posted

10 July 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£30,901.80 to £31,787.44 a year Depending on qualifications held and experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

N0016-23-0009

Job locations

Cognus Ltd

Railway Approach

Wallington

Surrey

SM6 0DZ

London Borough Of Sutton

St. Nicholas Way

Sutton

Surrey

SM1 1EA

Job description

Job responsibilities

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:

Principle Accountabilities:

To support school-based interventions for children and young people who are under the care of Sutton Virtual School.

This could include the following:

To assist Educational Psychologists in implementing programmes of intervention to overcome barriers to learning/inclusion and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and young people in schools and other settings.
To undertake, and assist others in undertaking, the assessment of children and young people in order to clarify their learning, social and emotional needs.
To provide, where appropriate, direct support to children 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, other professional groups and training for parents/carers of children and young people.
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 children and young people aged 0-25.
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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Ability to organise and prioritise workloads, and to manage time effectively.

5. Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to work under pressure.

6. Confident working autonomously and building strong therapeutic relationships with children/young people and families.

7. An understanding special educational needs and the education system.

8. An understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.

9. Competence in the use of information communication technology equipment in order to undertake a range of administrative tasks.

10. Ability to reflect and develop practice within a supervision framework

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

Principle Accountabilities:

To support school-based interventions for children and young people who are under the care of Sutton Virtual School.

This could include the following:

To assist Educational Psychologists in implementing programmes of intervention to overcome barriers to learning/inclusion and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and young people in schools and other settings.
To undertake, and assist others in undertaking, the assessment of children and young people in order to clarify their learning, social and emotional needs.
To provide, where appropriate, direct support to children 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, other professional groups and training for parents/carers of children and young people.
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 children and young people aged 0-25.
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

4. Ability to organise and prioritise workloads, and to manage time effectively.

5. Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to work under pressure.

6. Confident working autonomously and building strong therapeutic relationships with children/young people and families.

7. An understanding special educational needs and the education system.

8. An understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.

9. Competence in the use of information communication technology equipment in order to undertake a range of administrative tasks.

10. Ability to reflect and develop practice within a supervision framework

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience of having applied psychology-based knowledge and skills to work with children and young people and professionals in educational and/or community settings.
Experience of delivering training.
Experience of delivering group activities with primary and/or secondary aged children and young people.
Knowledge of current educational policy and practice, particularly in relation to Children Looked After (CLA).
Knowledge of current policy, practice and working arrangements of Childrens Services.
Experience of working to support a diverse and multicultural community with a broad range of needs.
Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to work under pressure.
An awareness of issues relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding issues.

Qualifications

Essential

Good Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by BPS and which satisfies the BPS requirements for graduate basis for registration (GBR)

Aptitude and Skills

Essential

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
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
Work confidently and autonomously in building strong therapeutic relationships with children/young people and families.
A thorough understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.
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

Desirable

Ability to remain objective and act confidentially

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience of having applied psychology-based knowledge and skills to work with children and young people and professionals in educational and/or community settings.
Experience of delivering training.
Experience of delivering group activities with primary and/or secondary aged children and young people.
Knowledge of current educational policy and practice, particularly in relation to Children Looked After (CLA).
Knowledge of current policy, practice and working arrangements of Childrens Services.
Experience of working to support a diverse and multicultural community with a broad range of needs.
Experience working in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams and the ability to work under pressure.
An awareness of issues relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Knowledge and awareness of safeguarding issues.

Qualifications

Essential

Good Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by BPS and which satisfies the BPS requirements for graduate basis for registration (GBR)

Aptitude and Skills

Essential

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
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
Work confidently and autonomously in building strong therapeutic relationships with children/young people and families.
A thorough understanding of restorative and trauma informed practice.
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

Desirable

Ability to remain objective and act confidentially

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

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

Cognus Limited

Address

Cognus Ltd

Railway Approach

Wallington

Surrey

SM6 0DZ

Employer's website

https://cognus.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Cognus Limited

Address

Cognus Ltd

Railway Approach

Wallington

Surrey

SM6 0DZ

Employer's website

https://cognus.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Educational Psychologist

Nicholas English

nicholas.english@cognus.org.uk

Date posted

10 July 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£30,901.80 to £31,787.44 a year Depending on qualifications held and experience

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

N0016-23-0009

Job locations

Cognus Ltd

Railway Approach

Wallington

Surrey

SM6 0DZ

London Borough Of Sutton

St. Nicholas Way

Sutton

Surrey

SM1 1EA

Supporting documents

Supporting links (all open in new tabs)

Working with Cognus

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