Senior Educational Psychologist

This is an exciting opportunity to work in Kirklees Educational Psychology Service which includes the possibility of providing future non‑statutory EP support to Calderdale schools through a commission under discussion. Kirklees Council is proud to champion an ambitious, forward‑thinking Educational Psychology Service that plays a vital role in shaping brighter futures for children and young people across our diverse communities.

Our leadership team genuinely recognises the expertise of Educational Psychologists (EP)— not just for statutory work, but for the transformative impact they bring to early intervention, prevention, and whole‑school development. That’s why every EP in our service enjoys a guaranteed balance of statutory and non‑statutory work, ensuring variety, creativity, and professional fulfilment.

Our service is growing rapidly, with an expanding remit and a clear mission: to drive inclusive practice and strengthen outcomes for all learners. As part of this, the Educational Psychology team have played a key role in the development, implementation and embedding of our authority‑wide Cluster Communities in which groups of schools meet with a team of specialist SEND professionals to help build a consistent and equitable offer for children and young people with SEND in Kirklees mainstream schools. This initiative is attracting both local and national interest and is reaping benefits in relation to building SENDCO confidence and expertise as well as improving outcomes for children and young people.

This is an exciting time to join us! We are seeking dynamic, innovative educational psychologists who want to make a real difference. You’ll contribute to our core school offer while also having a role in a range of high‑profile, impactful projects, including:

• Driving whole‑school Emotional Health and Wellbeing (EH&WB) approaches through our expanding Mental Health in Schools Teams (MHSTs), now supporting every mainstream school in Kirklees
• Delivering ELSA training across the district, building sustainable emotional literacy support in schools
• Embedding Emotion Coaching practices to strengthen relationships and behaviour support
• Leading training for education settings supporting children in care, working closely with specialist teachers and inclusion workers
• Delivering ELKLAN training across primary and secondary schools
• Leading on support to children in care which includes working alongside our specialist children in care teachers and inclusion officers based within the team

Our work focuses on long‑term, whole‑school capacity building — and it’s gaining recognition both locally and nationally. You’ll be part of a service that is not only respected but genuinely shaping system‑wide change.

We offer a competitive salary and are looking for EPs who:

• Love variety and enjoy bringing creativity into their practice
• Thrive in environments that encourage growth, innovation, and professional development
• Want a healthy balance of statutory and wider project work
• Are excited to develop specialist interests
• Value consultation and dynamic, strengths‑based assessment
• Want to be part of a large, warm, and supportive team with excellent admin and IT support
• Enjoy working collaboratively with Trainee EPs, Specialist Teachers, and Inclusion Workers to support vulnerable children and young people

Benefits:

• Agile and flexible working arrangements that support work–life balance
• High‑quality supervision with a Senior EP
• Regular peer supervision and reflective practice
• Team meetings and service development days
• Outstanding CPD opportunities
• Dedicated administrative support from our Business Support Team
• Essential car user allowance
• A welcoming, well‑equipped designated office based in Batley Town Hall

Kirklees values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this. All members of our team have contributed to CPD and changes in EP practice around anti‑racist practice. We encourage applications from all sections of the community, and particularly welcome from people from black and global majority backgrounds, disabled people and people from other diverse communities who are currently underrepresented within our profession.

Senior EP post:

• Relish the opportunity to play a lead part in the delivery of Educational Psychology support across schools, settings, the LA and key partners, shaping and supporting key strategic developments across the local area
• Are ready to and capable of leading and managing a group of Educational Psychologists as well as having a lead area of responsibility in relation to development work
• Thrive on opportunities for both personal development and growth and actively supports that of other team members
• Enjoys variety and the opportunity to be creative in their practice

For any informal enquiries please email dewsbury.psychology@kirklees.gov.uk or telephone 01924 483744 to speak with Jayne Whitton, Principal Educational Psychologist, or with a member of the senior leadership team.