Job title: Principal Educational Psychologist
Salary: £68,033 - £74,632
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds
As our Principal Educational Psychologist, you are motivated by your belief that every child and young person should have the support they need to unlock their full potential as they learn and grow.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to learning inclusion for thousands of children in a major city. You will hold a leadership position in a large local authority with well-established strategic links to health and care partners and close working relationships with schools and other education settings.
Educational psychology is central to our learning inclusion service. We are part of Leeds City Council’s children’s services, rated outstanding by Ofsted at the last inspection. Our culture of restorative practice and a family valued model is strongly embedded, guiding our relentless focus on the goals set out in the Leeds Children and Young People's Plan 2023-2028.
We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.
About you
As our Principal Educational Psychologist, you will hold a degree in psychology (with eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society) and a postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology through either:
1. Qualified Teacher Status (with a minimum of 2 years’ teaching experience) and MSc training in Educational Psychology; or
2. minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with children and young people and 3-year doctorate training in Educational Psychology.
Candidates must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
You will also bring to the role:
* substantial management experience in an educational psychology service, with a track record of effectively translating policy into evident service delivery and outcomes
* effective people management and leadership skills, supporting individuals and teams to promote a ‘can do’ attitude and culture of continuous improvement
* a collaborative approach with the ability to forge successful partnerships, influence, negotiate and establish credibility for the service in a multi-agency environment
* in-depth understanding of regulation, legislation and policy, and the local and national issues that impact service strategy and delivery
* commitment to children and young people’s voice and influence, actively involving them and their families in decision making and working together towards agreed outcomes
* commitment to using supervision, mentoring and coaching to develop your own practice and that of colleagues
About the role
As our Principal Educational Psychologist, you will lead and manage Leeds Educational Psychology Team. We are a large, dynamic and creative team of psychologists with a range of experience and interests, who work with colleagues and partners across the city.
We collaborate on exciting initiatives such as our trauma-informed approach to transform the response for young people affected by adverse experiences, and ongoing work supporting settings to further meet the needs of young people with neurodiversity.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Dan Barton, Deputy Director of Learning. Call 07907 401392 or email daniel.barton@leeds.gov.uk.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
Job Description
Job purpose
To lead, manage and deliver educational psychology services to support schools, families, children and young people and other professionals, which are effective, timely and meet expectations and agreed service standards.
Responsibilities
* Strategic leadership and management of the Educational Psychology Team including professional supervision to deliver services in line with Council & Directorate priorities.
* Delivery of own core statutory responsibilities and work with and support your colleagues in delivering our collective responsibility to keep all children safe.
* Develop best practice within Learning Inclusion to promote high quality support and provision for children and young people with SEND.
* Ensure the quality and standards of services provided comply with the codes of professional ethics and competencies of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society.
* Develop systems and protocols incorporating robust quality assurance, regarding LEA and statutory duties and responsibilities, to ensure compliance, including adherence to statutory timescales.
* Lead on the development of policy related to national and local guidance of specific areas of SEN.
* Provide effective translation of strategy into operational performance within Inclusion services.
* Actively support service delivery across each of the areas of the city.
* Co-ordinate and maintain the Educational Psychology service’s response to critical incidents.
* Ensure up to date knowledge and compliance with legislation and provide or arrange appropriate representation at SEND tribunals and other court hearings.
* Engage in joint development, implementation and better outcomes of the team/service plans.
* To create a climate of continuous improvement.
* Build strong and dynamic relationships, networks and trust with individuals and partners to facilitate a multi-agency approach.
* Lead and manage all aspects of people management within the service.
* Champion the Leeds aspiration and ambition to become a child friendly city.
* Deputise for the Chief Officer and represent on all matters relating to the leadership, management and development of the service.
* Implement regular formal quality assurance, audit and performance management.
* Support effective partnership arrangements at local and city wide level.
* To lead and manage effective multi-agency relationships.
* Be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area.
* Ensure that all staff are registered where required with the appropriate professional registration body.
* The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.
Qualifications
Degree in psychology (with eligibility for graduate membership for the British Psychological Society) and a postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology through either:
1. MSc training in Educational Psychology
2. minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with children and young people and 3 year doctorate training in Educational Psychology.
Essential requirements
Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the post.
* Significant management experience within the relevant children’s services environment.
* Substantial experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships.
* Experience of working within a multi-agency environment.
* Ability to find and implement creative and innovative solutions to complex managerial problems.
* Experience of leading, managing, supporting and developing individuals and teams.
* Experience of effective people management and financial accountability.
* Experience of health & safety and risk management.
* Knowledge of current local and national issues impacting upon the service.
* Demonstrate an ability to make difficult decisions.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility for the service.
* Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information.
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