At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a dynamic educational psychology service focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Company: Walsall Educational Psychology Service, committed to meaningful impact and supportive teamwork.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, professional development, and a flexible work-life balance.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to transforming educational practices and supporting communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Educational Psychologist registered with HCPC.
The predicted salary is between 70265 - 80009 € per year.
Salary: £70,265 - £80,009 (Scale B10 - B17 incl. up to 3 SPA points)
Contract: Full time, permanent.
Are you a Senior EP or EP seeking to expand your leadership skills? Are you ready for a change, or looking to take the next step in your career? Are you excited by the opportunity to lead and develop a fast-growing EP service?
Walsall Educational Psychology Service is seeking to recruit a Principal Educational Psychologist to lead the service alongside our 2 existing SEPs. Walsall EPS has a strong team identity and supportive ethos. We have grown to a team of 12 over the last few years with further roles (including a third SEP) due to come on stream shortly as part of our growth plan.
Values
- Meaningful: We have a positive impact by being meaningful and purposeful in what we do.
- Collaborative: We work in collaboration with stakeholders to facilitate change and promote positive outcomes.
- Anti-oppressive: We work in an anti-oppressive way to promote equity.
- Creative: We are creative and innovative in our application of psychology, which we apply in a diverse range of ways.
- Child-centred: Everything we do is done with the child/young person's best interests in mind. We work with children/young people to generate a holistic understanding including the child/young person's views and strengths.
- Supportive: We are supportive and compassionate with each other and with the individuals and communities we work with. We work to foster supportive systems that enable individuals, teams and communities to flourish.
We are seeking to appoint a Principal EP who will lead transformational practice in response to the national SEND reforms and strengthen the capacity of the EPS to build creative, innovative, and psychologically driven solutions to support our communities, schools, families and young people.
You will:
- Lead, grow and nurture the educational psychology service with the support of 3 Senior EPs.
- Develop a framework for practice as part of our Experts at Hand offer, focusing on systemic and organisational change, whole school strategic support for inclusion, and our offer at the Targeted and Specialist tiers, through the creative application of psychology.
- Work in partnership with colleagues across Education, Health and Care to co‑produce and implement the LA response to the SEND reforms with innovation and creativity.
- Support and supervise the team and our pool of locum colleagues in collaboration with the senior leadership team.
- Provide strategic management and support in relation to directorate level priorities related to the wider LA vision, policy development, and inspection readiness.
About us
Walsall EPS plays a key role in delivering the LA's SEND and AP strategy and will be integral in the LA's delivery of the SEND reforms. We have strong relationships with teams across Children's Services including the Virtual School, Youth Justice, the Violence Reduction Partnership, and the Attendance Team, as well as with Health and Social Care. Walsall EPS delivers statutory work, critical incident support, and substantial LA projects, alongside traded services to schools, where demand for the service remains high. The EPS is leading on a number of initiatives including ELSA, SCERTS, and EBSA guidance and training. We are also delivering LA commissioned projects focused on Embedding Inclusive Practice, Supporting Transitions, and ensuring Successful Re‑integration following exclusion. Main grade EPs have substantial protected time to allow for such initiatives (currently 24 days per year) and a cap on statutory assessment work. We have recently launched our new model of psychological consultation, which we are excited to be implementing as part of our traded offer. We have invested in external CPD to support the development of our approach and are committed to the on‑going development of this as a priority area of practice for the service.
Successful candidates will join the existing senior leadership team to support our enthusiastic and creative team of specialist seniors, main grades and assistant psychologists and TEPs.
What we can offer you
- Access to a range of professional development activities: Including a program of in‑house and externally commissioned CPD. Service members have the equivalent of 12 days of CPD (FTE).
- A centrally based service with a strong team identity and regular and protected opportunities for peer supervision and support.
- A central office base which includes an on‑site café, excellent IT support and equipment, a variety of open‑plan working spaces, bookable individual workspace, meeting and training rooms and parking.
- Access to excellent administrative support.
- A generous leave entitlement up to 35 days and a flexi‑time system.
- A commitment to supporting work‑life balance via transparent allocation and workflow systems and a cap on statutory case work.
Qualifications
All applicants must hold the relevant professional qualification and be registered with the HCPC. A full UK driving licence is required for this role. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for this role.
Contact
For an informal and confidential discussion please contact Dr Sam Samra, Principal Educational Psychologist or Rachael Beards, Head of SEND and Inclusion.
Important information
This post is covered by the Government's Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English. Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment.
Closing Date: 7th June 2026.
Interview dates: Interviews will provisionally be held on 12th June 2026.
Principal Educational Psychologist & Strategic Support Manager - Ref: CH01426 in Walsall employer: Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Walsall Educational Psychology Service is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its team members. With access to extensive professional development opportunities, a generous leave entitlement, and a commitment to work-life balance, employees can thrive in a dynamic environment dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. Located centrally with excellent facilities, Walsall EPS fosters a strong team identity and encourages innovative practices in response to national SEND reforms.
Contact Detail:
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Educational Psychologist & Strategic Support Manager - Ref: CH01426 in Walsall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of Walsall EPS on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. This insider info can give us a real edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the values of Walsall EPS, like collaboration and creativity. We should be ready to share specific examples that showcase our skills in these areas.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off our passion for educational psychology! During the interview, let’s express why we’re excited about leading a team and making a difference in the community. Our enthusiasm can really set us apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After the interview, send a thank-you email to express our appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce our interest in the role and keep us fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Educational Psychologist & Strategic Support Manager - Ref: CH01426 in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Principal Educational Psychologist role. Highlight your leadership abilities and any relevant projects you've led that demonstrate your capacity for strategic support.
Showcase Your Values:Walsall EPS values collaboration, creativity, and a child-centred approach. Use your application to illustrate how you embody these values in your work. Share examples of how you've worked with stakeholders to promote positive outcomes.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. This will help ensure that your key messages about your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role come through loud and clear.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, you can ensure all your details are submitted correctly and you’ll be kept in the loop about your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest SEND reforms and how they impact educational psychology. Brush up on your knowledge of the frameworks and initiatives mentioned in the job description, like ELSA and SCERTS, so you can discuss them confidently.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Educational Psychologist, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve fostered collaboration or driven change, as these will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various stakeholders. Be ready to share experiences where you’ve collaborated with other professionals, such as teachers or health care providers, to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.
✨Be Child-Centred
Remember, the focus is on the child/young person. Prepare to discuss how you’ve put their needs at the forefront of your work. Share specific examples that highlight your commitment to creating supportive and inclusive environments.
