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- Tasks: Lead the Educational Psychology Service and support children with special educational needs.
- Company: Southend-on-Sea City Council, dedicated to improving community lives.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives and shape inclusive practices.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology and HCPC registration required.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
Your New Organisation Southend-on-Sea City Council is a unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who work alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.
Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance. As a Unitary Authority, we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.
Are you ready to make a meaningful and lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Southend-on-Sea? Southend-on-Sea City Council is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Principal Educational Psychologist to lead our Educational Psychology Service. This is a rare opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the service, influence inclusive practice across the city and play a central role in supporting children, families and professionals.
As Principal Educational Psychologist, you will provide strong strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the delivery of high-quality psychological advice and support to schools, settings and partners. You will have the autonomy to grow and develop the service, nurture talent within your team and embed a culture of reflection, learning and continuous improvement.
Our Principal Educational Psychologist plays a strategic, system-wide role in shaping and delivering SEND reform, influencing policy, practice, and outcomes across education, health, and care systems beyond individual assessments, and acting as a key local driver by integrating leadership, psychological expertise, and system design to strengthen inclusive and sustainable practice.
You will lead and manage the Educational Psychology Service, setting a clear vision and ensuring the service responds effectively to local priorities and statutory responsibilities. Working closely with schools, early years settings, health colleagues and partner agencies, you will champion collaborative working and promote inclusive, evidence-based interventions that improve outcomes for children and young people.
Alongside this, you will be responsible for quality assurance, ensuring the service operates to the highest professional and ethical standards. Safeguarding will be integral to your role, and you will actively promote the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults, ensuring robust risk management and safeguarding practices are embedded across the service.
You will be an experienced Senior Educational Psychologist with a strong track record of leadership and people management. You will bring confidence in leading, supervising and developing staff, alongside experience of partnership working and contributing to multi-professional casework and strategic projects. A strong commitment to inclusion, continuous improvement and evidence-informed practice will be central to your approach.
You will hold a recognised postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology and be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training.
If you are interested in this role, please click 'apply online' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. Southend-on-Sea City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants for this role will require an enhanced DBS check.
Locations
Educational Psychologist (Permanent, Temporary) in Chelmsford, Essex employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Educational Psychologist (Permanent, Temporary) in Chelmsford, Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Southend-on-Sea City Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the team, plus it shows our genuine interest in the position.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the council's recent projects and initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the job, but also in how we can contribute to their mission of making lives better in Southend.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to educational psychology and leadership. We can even do mock interviews with friends or family to boost our confidence and refine our answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team at Southend-on-Sea City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Educational Psychologist (Permanent, Temporary) in Chelmsford, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the role of Principal Educational Psychologist. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've worked on that demonstrate your commitment to inclusion and continuous improvement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people with SEND. Share specific examples of how you've influenced practice or policy in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your recognised postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology and your HCPC registration. These are key requirements for the role, so make them stand out in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our Educational Psychology Service.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest educational psychology practices and SEND reforms. Brush up on relevant policies and frameworks that Southend-on-Sea City Council follows, as this will show your commitment to the role and your understanding of the local context.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Educational Psychologist, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects, particularly in collaborative settings. Highlight how you’ve nurtured talent and fostered a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with schools, health colleagues, and partner agencies. Be ready to discuss how you’ve effectively collaborated with various stakeholders in the past. Share specific instances where your collaborative efforts led to improved outcomes for children and young people.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Safeguarding is a key aspect of this role. Think about potential ethical dilemmas you might face and how you would handle them. Be prepared to discuss your approach to risk management and safeguarding practices, demonstrating your commitment to the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.