Maingrade Educational Psychologist in Carlisle

Cumberland Psychology Service provides support to schools and settings in North and West Cumbria, including the Lake District. We are a high performing, friendly team that provides a balance between intellectual challenge, and belonging and camaraderie. We value opportunities to learn together and support each other, working to develop a community of practice through regular peer support.

The team provides salaried placements for Trainee EPs and Assistant EPs, as well as employing Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing Officers to work alongside us. We have excellent relationships with our schools and provide various flexible models of service delivery, including consultative approaches. The team regularly contributes to whole school and systemic support, including ELSA training/supervision.

We are keen to hear from qualified or soon to be qualified colleagues who would appreciate the opportunity to share their ideas to enhance and develop our work. This role is available on a permanent basis.

• Enhance outcomes for children, schools, and families by applying psychology to promote inclusion and improve quality of life.
• Act as the named Educational Psychologist for a group of schools/settings, delivering high-quality, efficient services.
• Provide expert advice to support Cumberland Council's statutory commitments and priorities.
• Collaborate with other agencies and partners to ensure coordinated, integrated service delivery.
• Champion person-centred approaches to engage children, young people, and their families.
• Contribute to the development of Cumberland Psychological Service, including performance improvement initiatives and cross-team support.
• Maintain HCPC standards, engage in supervision and appraisal, and uphold professional development.
• Promote awareness of the services achievements and foster community engagement.

Fundamentally, we are seeking individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change and shape a better future for our communities. Your commitment to these principles will be instrumental in delivering services that are vital to the well-being and prosperity of our residents.

The post is within SEND, Education and Inclusion Service, in Children's Services: the postholder reports to their supervising Educational Psychologist (PEP or SEP) from within the Educational Psychology management team. Staff have access to two bases; one in Carlisle and the other in Workington.

Cumberland Psychological Service (CPS) includes Educational Psychologists and Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing Officers (BEWOs). We provide supportive placements for EPs in training. The team works closely with colleagues within the wider SEND team, making psychologically informed contributions to Local Authority policies and processes.

EPs provide support to a patch of pre-school settings and schools and work collaboratively with colleagues in the Specialist Advisory Teaching Service, Health and Social Care.

• Degree in Psychology at 2:1 or above.
• Qualified Educational Psychologist at Doctoral or Masters level.
• Eligible or will be eligible for registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist and entitled to use the protected title of Educational Psychologist.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Ability to use IT appropriately to support practice.
• Successful experience as a Local Authority Educational Psychologist.
• Experience in educational or child-centred settings pre-training course and during training.
• In-depth knowledge of typical and atypical child development.
• Knowledge of a variety of methods of psychological and educational assessment and intervention.
• Knowledge of children's mental health and SEND issues.
• Knowledge of relationships and positive behaviour management approaches.
• Understanding of policies, statutory guidance and legislation in respect of SEND and the wider children's agenda, for example, safeguarding issues.
• Current research and good practice in relation to educational psychology within the Children's Services agenda.
• Excellent ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyse, problem solve and apply psychology.
• Ability to show initiative.
• Ability to engage service users and stakeholders in person-centred planning.
• Skills in negotiating and influencing others.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Ability to apply a reflective and creative approach to practice.
• Independence in using technology to support practice.
• Professional integrity, reliability and consistency.
• Adaptability and resilience.
• Being able to remain outcome and solution focused.
• Ability to cope with organisational change.
• A commitment to children and the need to ensure their life chances and opportunities are improved.
• Commitment to working in a largely rural area.
• Significant and successful experience working with children and young people.
• Experience of working in diverse communities.
• Teaching or other experience in a related profession.

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.