At a Glance
- Tasks: Apply psychology to support schools and promote child development.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council's respected Educational Psychology Team.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for strategic development and training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified or trainee Educational Psychologist with HCPC registration.
The predicted salary is between 29835 - 36465 £ per year.
We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated Educational Psychologists to join our highly regarded Educational Psychology Team. Whether you are an experienced practitioner, newly qualified and HCPC registered, or a Trainee Educational Psychologist in your second or third year of training, we would love to hear from you.
The Educational Psychology Team is a group of supportive, enthusiastic and skilled educational psychologists with experience ranging from our highly valued trainees to those who have been with the service for many years. We are part of the Inclusion Service in Portsmouth City Council's Education Department, and our key purpose is to help promote all aspects of a child or young person's development by using psychology to make a positive difference. The EP Team is held in high regard with involvement valued across a range of projects in education and social care. We operate a model of traded service which allows us to support schools directly and focus on early intervention. We also fulfil the statutory function of the Education Department and have built strong relationships with our SEN Team which enables collaborative working.
The Role
- Applying psychology through the delivery of services to a cluster of schools within Portsmouth.
- Multi-agency working to support children and families.
- Opportunities to engage in the development and delivery of training and workforce development across the city, for example Restorative and Attachment Aware approaches and ELSA.
- Opportunities to engage in strategic developments; for example, with SEMH, Neurodiversity and literacy difficulties.
- Opportunities to work with EPs to develop our practice and policy, always aiming to improve outcomes for children and young people.
- Contribution to the statutory assessment and monitoring and review of children with SEND.
- Autonomy to employ the evidence-based psychological practice that you feel best meets needs (e.g. dynamic and standardised assessment methods used equally across the team).
- Full working knowledge and adherence to the underlying values, principles and policy of Portsmouth Local Safeguarding Children's Board, including integrated working responsibilities, early help and safeguarding practices.
The ideal candidate
- Be a qualified Educational Psychologist or be in your second or third year of EP training, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), or, in the case of trainee EPs, expecting to have their registration confirmed following the completion of their recognised training course.
- Possess a sound base of current psychological knowledge and skills and have an awareness of current issues in education and psychology and be able to apply this to practice.
- Have full working knowledge and adhere to the underlying values, principles and policy of Local Safeguarding Children's Board, including integrated working responsibilities, early help and safeguarding practices.
- Have good personal presentation and credibility with a range of potential client groups.
- Have the ability to work individually and as part of a team, valuing working with people and demonstrating a relational approach with parents, children, young people and professionals.
We also welcome applications from Trainee Educational Psychologists in their second or third year of training. Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached below for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention to the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.
Working Arrangements: Working a minimum of 2 days in the office per week in line with the PCC Hybrid policy.
Informal enquiries: Please contact the Principal Educational Psychologist, Victoria Parker, Victoria.parker@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Interview date: Tuesday 22nd September 2026
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. We strongly encourage candidates to add all Career and Education History to their application, as CVs are not reviewed as part of the shortlisting process. As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills.
We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria; however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council.
Safeguarding
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information. You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
Educational Psychologist in Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. With a focus on employee growth, the council provides numerous training opportunities and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Educational Psychologist in Portsmouth
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We think you need these skills to ace Educational Psychologist in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV with Relevant Experience:In psychology, it’s crucial to highlight your relevant experience, such as internships, research projects, or any volunteer work in mental health settings. Make sure to include specific roles and responsibilities, demonstrating how you've applied theoretical knowledge in real-world situations—this is what gets us excited!
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:Given the nature of psychology, we want to see your academic journey laid out clearly. Include your degree(s), grades, and any specialised courses or certifications that set you apart. If you've got published papers or presentations at conferences, be sure to mention them—it shows your commitment to the field!
Personal Statement: Make It Count:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Share insights about why you’re passionate about psychology and how this role at Portsmouth City Council connects with your career goals. Be honest about your motivations and what you hope to learn—this is key for a full-time position and helps us gauge your fit in our team!
Focus on Soft Skills in Your Application:Psychology is as much about people as it is about theories. Highlight your soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork in your application. These traits are essential in our field and will help us see how you connect with others, so don't hold back in showcasing them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Brush Up on Key Psychological Theories
Before stepping into the interview with Portsmouth City Council, revisit key psychological theories that are relevant to the role, like cognitive behavioural therapy or humanistic psychology. Expect to discuss these during your interview, as they want to see how you apply theory to practice.
✨Bring Real-Life Case Studies
Prepare a couple of case studies or anecdotes that demonstrate your practical experience in psychology. Whether it’s handling a difficult client or designing a psychological assessment, these stories will highlight your skills and help you stand out in your full-time interview.
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Get comfy with the ethical guidelines set by the British Psychological Society. Be ready to chat about how you ensure ethical practice in your work, as this is crucial in the psychology field, and Portsmouth City Council will be keen to know you’ve got integrity.
✨Showcase Your Continuous Learning
Since you're going for a full-time gig, it’s essential to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development. Bring up any workshops, courses, or readings you’ve engaged in recently. This shows Portsmouth City Council that you’re not just there for a job, but genuinely passionate about the field.
