Principal Educational Psychologist (EA Employees Only)

JOB DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO: Head of Service

RESPONSIBLE FOR: The effective organisation and management of a Locality Team within the EA’s Educational Psychology Service and the efficient development of service delivery across the EA.

JOB PURPOSE

The Principal Educational Psychologist will work alongside the Head of Service to help co-ordinate the management and development of the Educational Psychology Service.

The post holder will be responsible to the Head of Educational Psychology Service, CYPS for the effective organisation and management of the EA’s Educational Psychology Service and the efficient development of service delivery across the EA.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of Activities

• Assist in the development, management, and implementation of a high-quality Educational Psychology Service across all schools and client groups.
• Support the coordination and management of Educational Psychology Teams across localities.
• Provide leadership in response to new initiatives and Department of Education (DE) targets.
• Assist in staff management, appraisal, and development within the Educational Psychology Service (EPS).
• Contribute to service plans aligned with corporate and strategic objectives.
• Support the implementation of monitoring, measurement, and reporting systems for the Service’s work.
• Assist in the development of specialist SEN assessment and intervention services.
• Coordinate planning and allocation of work within the Service.
• Represent the Service and the EA in internal and external meetings at local and regional levels.

Raising Achievement and Organisational Development

• Assist in developing policies and plans aligned with strategic objectives.
• Contribute to shaping corporate culture, values, and processes.
• Delegate responsibilities and deploy staff effectively based on skills and service priorities.
• Promote the Service’s role in achieving organisational goals and utilising Information Management Systems.
• Support the planning and delivery of services in line with EA priorities.
• Provide advice, training, and support to EA officers, schools, parents, and other stakeholders on relevant developments.
• Contribute to the development of in-service training programmes for schools and parents.
• Assist in research development related to key service areas.

Managing and Developing Staff

• Support staff in achieving their potential through development and guidance.
• Establish clear standards, expectations, and goals to ensure effective performance.
• Engage staff in planning activities to enhance service operations and processes.
• Identify staff training needs to ensure professional compliance and service development.
• Support the implementation of supervision procedures across the Service.

Managing Resources

• Assist in managing the Service’s budget, ensuring compliance with financial procedures.
• Promote efficiency within the Service by evaluating resource allocation and service effectiveness.
• Identify key impacts on service provision for children and young people with SEN.
• Contribute to systems for monitoring and evaluating service efficiency.

Building Partnerships

• Develop productive partnerships with schools, the Department of Education, Health and Social Care Trusts, parents, and other organisations.
• Ensure effective communication and consultation with service users.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to improve SEN provision and in-service teacher training.
• Support the implementation of EA’s Communication and ICT strategies within the Service.

Other Duties

• Ensure compliance with EA policies and procedures.
• Undertake additional duties as required.
• Promote equality, good relations, and compliance with relevant legislation.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

Qualifications / Experience

• Hold an approved Doctorate level qualification as an Educational Psychologist;
• OR hold the award in Educational Psychology (Scotland);
• OR hold an approved Masters level qualification as an educational psychologist and a recognised teaching qualification and have a minimum of two years qualified teaching experience;
• OR hold an approved Masters level qualification as an Educational Psychologist and have three years’ experience of being employed as an educational psychologist with a recognised Education Authority in Great Britain or elsewhere.

Method of Assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Professional Membership

Provide evidence of registration ensuring compliance with the requirements for continued registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Method of Assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Experience

• Have three years’ demonstrable experience of managing a team of professional staff.
• Demonstrable experience of successfully leading, managing and developing services/a team.

Method of Assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Knowledge

Demonstrable knowledge of the main strategic education and Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) issues and major current and anticipated issues for the Educational Psychology Service.

Method of Assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Skills / Abilities

• Ability to ensure efficient and effective service delivery including effective budget and resource management.
• Ability to work effectively and in partnership with Head of Service, stakeholders and colleagues from other areas/agencies.

Method of Assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Other

The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Method of Assessment: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

Knowledge

• Specific strategies and methods for capacity building, assessment, support and intervention for schools.
• The Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs.
• Needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs.

Method of Assessment: Interview.

Skills / Abilities

• In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Ability to support the Head of Service in leading and managing staff and other stakeholders.
• Ability to create and foster change.
• Ability to ensure efficient and effective service delivery including effective budget and resource management.
• Ability to contribute to the organisation and development of the Service in line with legislation and CYPS needs.
• Ability to assist with the setting of targets through service development planning.
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively and in partnership with Head of Service, stakeholders and colleagues from other areas/agencies.
• Ability to investigate problems, analyse information and make decisions.

Method of Assessment: Interview.

Values Orientation

Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.

Method of Assessment: Interview.

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that youWILLbe expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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