At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people with SEND to achieve their best educational outcomes.
- Company: Join Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, a supportive and innovative team.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 33 days annual leave, flexible working, and enhanced sick pay.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant coastal community with excellent transport links and green spaces.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in educational psychology and a passion for supporting diverse needs.
The predicted salary is between 41000 - 49000 £ per year.
Job Location: London, UK
Job Location Type: Hybrid
Job Contract Type: Full-time
Job Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level
Employer: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Salary: Soulbury Band A SCP 3 - 8, £47,688 - £57,954 (plus the potential to apply for 3 SPA points)
Location: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Magdalen House
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 36 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 15/03/2026 at 23:59
Reference: EE/26/331884
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people especially in communities where your impact matters most? Do you want to work somewhere where Educational Psychologists are genuinely valued, listened to, and invested in? If so, we want to welcome you to our team. We know the national recruitment picture is challenging, so we’ve taken real steps to create a service where EPs can thrive. We are building a team that is innovative, empowered, and supported, and we’re looking for committed Educational Psychologists who want to help shape the future with us.
Our Educational Psychologists have a balance of project work, training and statutory work, working collaboratively with parents and carers, educational setting staff and other partners, to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people. The service also leads and contributes to wider SEND initiatives, such as ELSA and EBSA training in addition to providing critical incident support. We also work directly with Sefton’s Virtual School. Together, we’re committed to improving the lives of children and young people in Sefton by ensuring every child has the best possible education. With this goal in mind, we have made a significant investment in the Special Educational Needs (SEND) service in Sefton. In support of our growth, we are recruiting to a number of positions within our Educational Psychology Service, which includes appointments of main grade Educational Psychologists. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people with SEND, and possess the skills and experience required, we invite you to apply for this post.
Why Sefton? Sefton is a diverse and exciting place to live and work. It is well-connected with public transportation, such as buses and trains, making it easy to get around, particularly into Liverpool. Sefton is situated on the coast, with a stunning coastline stretching 22 miles, and is home to several beaches, including Formby Beach and Crosby Beach known for the Anthony Gormley sculpture 'Another Place'. It has many green spaces and nature reserves, including Ainsdale Sand Dunes, Lunt Meadows, and Formby Red Squirrel Reserve. It is home to nearly 280,000 people, to thousands of businesses and world-famous events. Whether you're a family with children or a young professional, Sefton has something to offer, making it an ideal place to live and work.
What you can expect:
- Support from a warm, dynamic, and committed team of psychologists
- A comprehensive induction programme
- Regular clinical and peer group supervision
- Use of Q Interactive along with a wide range of other assessment tools, resources and materials
- Opportunities to work directly with Sefton’s Virtual School
- Opportunities to undertake project work and training with other members of the team, including EBSA and NVR, and training with parents/carers
- Full flexibility of working from home, office, or elsewhere, and having supervision and meetings in person or virtual
Benefits:
- Up to 33 days annual leave and 8 bank holidays
- The opportunity to take flexi time/time in lieu
- An enhanced sick pay scheme
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay and maternity support leave
- An Occupational Health Service available to advise on work related health issues
- Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
- Discounted gym membership with all Active Sefton gyms
- A Cycle to Work scheme
- A free and confidential employee counselling service and CBT sessions
- A generous car mileage scheme
- A pension scheme with employer’s contribution
- Free parking at office bases
We would be delighted to answer any questions you may have so please contact Catherine Gilhooley, Head of SEND and Inclusion (direct) or Nadine Carroll, Assistant Director of Children's Services, Education Excellence (direct) for an informal chat. Closing date for applications is 15th March 2026 with interviews likely to take place week commencing 23rd March 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We will contact you to arrange an interview. An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
Equal Opportunities: Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody's identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion. We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. The decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview. If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.
Consider registering for Sefton@work: If you’re an unemployed Sefton resident, register with our Sefton@Work service for free support to help you into employment. You may be eligible for extra assistance such as funding for travel, work clothing, or vouchers to make starting your new job easier. Call Sefton@Work on 0151 934 2610 or visit seftonatwork.net to find out more and get started today! Please note, we do not accept CVs (unless specified on the advert).
Educational Psychologist employer: Lifelancer
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer for Educational Psychologists, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment where your contributions are genuinely valued. With a strong commitment to employee growth, comprehensive benefits including up to 33 days of annual leave, and the flexibility of hybrid working, you will thrive in a role that directly impacts the lives of children and young people in a vibrant coastal community. Join us in making a meaningful difference while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Sefton.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Educational Psychologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current Educational Psychologists or professionals in the field through LinkedIn or local meetups. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the role and even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching Sefton’s SEND initiatives. Show us that you’re not just passionate but also informed about how you can contribute to improving outcomes for children and young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to collaboration with parents and educational staff. We want to see how you can work as part of our dynamic team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our innovative team at Sefton.
We think you need these skills to ace Educational Psychologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Educational Psychologist. We want to see your passion for improving outcomes for children and young people, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Experience:Use your written application to showcase relevant experiences, especially those that demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with parents, carers, and educational staff. We love seeing examples of how you've made a positive impact in similar roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your enthusiasm for the role shines through!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lifelancer
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest educational psychology practices and theories. Brush up on your knowledge about SEND initiatives, as this role involves working closely with children who have special educational needs. Being able to discuss relevant case studies or recent developments will show your passion and expertise.
✨Show Your Passion
This position is all about making a difference in the lives of children and young people. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've positively impacted students in the past. Whether it’s through project work or training, demonstrating your commitment to improving outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or the support available for Educational Psychologists. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values and career goals.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way. The council is looking for someone who fits into their warm and dynamic team. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through during the interview. Share your unique experiences and perspectives, as they can set you apart from other candidates.
