Senior Educational Psychologist in Lichfield

We have a rare opportunity for a Senior EP to join our creative and friendly service. Following the move of a valued colleague, we have an opportunity for a new senior team member to help shape the future of educational psychology in Staffordshire.

Why Join Staffordshire EPS?

• Children and families are at the heart of all we do: Our work is driven by a commitment to improving the lives of children and families across Staffordshire. We work systemically with schools, families and multi-agency partners so support is holistic, inclusive and has measurable impact.
• Innovative practice: We’re central to Staffordshire's new Enhanced Assess-Plan-Do-Review (EAPDR) pathway; using psychology in a preventative, collaborative and creative way, such as using MAPS and PATHS, rather than formal report writing.
• Impact at scale: Join nationally recognised programmes: our EP-led literacy approach, local and regional school non-attendance projects, and joint work with the Virtual School for care-experienced children. The Senior EP team will be a central part of the exciting changes placing the service at the centre of the White Paper changes.
• Supportive team culture: You’ll join a diverse, passionate leadership team of Seniors, and a service of EPs TEPS and Assistants who value creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Comprehensive induction, regular peer supervision, and vibrant CPD.
• Your practice matters: Whether you would be new to the Senior role, or whether you are bringing experience, we will support you to develop your practice and pursue your professional specialisms through supervision, peer supervision and opportunities to lead development groups and research. We also provide progression support for SPAs.

What We Offer

• Salary: Soulbury B 5 - 8 with 3 SPAs (progression supported).
• Working environment: Mixed urban/rural practice; essential car user allowance; mileage & travel time policy.
• Professional growth: Protected peer supervision time; CPD budget & CPD weeks; research and development groups; pathways for specialisms (e.g., literacy, non-attendance, care-experienced).
• Flexibility & wellbeing: Hybrid working, flexi-time, and a proactive PEP overseeing your induction and your practice development.
• Senior-Specific induction: As a new member of the senior leadership team, you will have a comprehensive induction and support as you take up your role.
• Inclusion: A service committed to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice-applications welcomed from under-represented groups.

Main Responsibilities

• Through the effective application of psychological principles and techniques you will:
• Provide line management and psychological supervision for educational psychologists, and support the development and smooth running of a district team.
• Take a pro-active role in providing a highly professional service for children and young people, parents/carers and professional colleagues in collaboration with the principal and other members of the Senior team.
• With the EPS Senior Team, lead the strategic planning for the EPS service to continually improve standards and contribute to service development.
• Contribute to the evaluation of impact, efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery, to inform planning and action.
• Proactively identify possible changes in service policy, procedures and practice.
• Take the lead within the Educational Psychology Service for specific functions of that service across the County.
• Lead team and service meetings and attend local authority working groups as required.
• Contribute to the strategic work of the SEND team through attendance at panels, support for tribunals and to the smooth running of the EHC pathway.

The Ideal Candidate

• HCPC-registered Educational Psychologist with recognised postgraduate training and a BPS-accredited psychology degree (or equivalent).
• An EP, SSEP or SEP who can apply psychology at a systems level, leading key initiatives and contribute to the development of the Expert at Hand model, continuing to enhance the psychological practice of our district teams and work collaboratively with the senior team, and with services and professionals across the county.
• A collaborative practitioner who values consultation, prevention and evidence-informed practice and is eager to keep learning.

Are you interested? I would love to hear from you. For more information, or an informal chat, contact Melissa Jones, Principal Educational Psychologist: melissa.jones@staffordshire.gov.uk | 07970 460188. Join us and help shape brighter futures for children and families in Staffordshire.

Interview date: Thursday 9th July.

Our Recruitment Process

We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role. Please note: The minimum essential criteria in the ideal candidate section detailed above will be used if you are applying under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes detailed below.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values: The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy: We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future. We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our benefits: We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire.

Our recruitment process: As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities. As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers- we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.