Overview
The Educational Psychologist will play a central role within the Health, Therapies and Families Service, supporting children and young people aged 5–25 with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, SEND, developmental trauma and neurodiversity. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the postholder will use psychological theory and evidence-based practice to promote learning, emotional wellbeing, inclusion and positive outcomes.
Through assessment, consultation, formulation and intervention, the role will support children, families and professionals to develop a shared understanding of strengths and needs, ensuring coordinated and holistic support across education and residential settings. The Educational Psychologist will contribute to embedding psychologically informed, trauma-aware and relational approaches across the Foundation.
In addition, the role will support statutory processes, partnership working and service development, while providing professional leadership and contributing to staff development. Overall, the postholder will help ensure that psychological knowledge is effectively translated into meaningful improvements in the experiences and outcomes of children, young people and their families.
Main duties of the job
- Key Responsibilities: Provide Educational Psychology services within the Foundation and as part of an external services offer
- Plan and deliver psychological assessment, consultation and intervention, offering advice to support learning, behaviour and wellbeing
- Leadership: Offer professional support and oversight to the Health, Therapies and Families Team (HTFTs) through consultation, training, supervision and reflective practice
- Lead on the development and delivery of psychologically informed, trauma-aware and inclusive practice across the Foundation
- Professional: Adhere to professional and regulatory body standards (e.g., HCPC, BPS)
- Assessment, Collaborative Planning and Evaluation: Conduct psychological and educational assessments with children, young people and families
- Contribute to EHCPs, IEPs and personalised learning plans, ensuring psychological and educational recommendations support access to learning
- Collaboration and Advocacy: Work collaboratively with children, families, education staff, health professionals and social care teams to develop effective, evidence-based interventions
- Liaise with external agencies to support access to appropriate services and resources
- Documentation, Communication and Reporting: Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with safeguarding, GDPR and data protection requirements
About us
William Henry Smith Foundation is a not-for-profit registered charity committed to transforming lives and breaking down barriers, empowering every individual to reach their full potential. We exist to improve outcomes for children and young adults who experience SEMH challenges, providing high-quality provision through combined education, care and therapeutic services.
Everything we do is rooted in strong, trusting relationships and a psychologically and trauma-informed approach. By placing care, compassion and consistency at the centre of its work, we create safe and supportive environments where children and young people feel valued, understood and able to engage, grow and thrive.
Working closely with LA, partners, schools and community organisations, the Foundation delivers outstanding education, care and therapeutic services that create lasting and meaningful impact. With a strong commitment to excellence, inclusion and wellbeing, we continue to champion positive change and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Job responsibilities
Safeguarding: The Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Our policies provide clear directions about safeguarding expectations. The successful applicant will be appointed subject to references and enhanced DBS check; this is a position working in regulated activity. Shortlisted candidates may be subject to online checks in line with KCSIE 2025.
Overview of the Role:
The Educational Psychologist will play a central role within the Health, Therapies and Families Service, supporting children and young people aged 5–25 with SEMH, SEND, developmental trauma and neurodiversity. Working as part of a skilled multidisciplinary team, the postholder will use psychological theory and evidence-based practice to promote learning, emotional wellbeing, inclusion and positive outcomes.
Through assessment, consultation, formulation and intervention, the role will support children, families and professionals to develop a shared understanding of strengths and needs, ensuring coordinated and holistic support across education and residential settings. The Educational Psychologist will contribute to embedding psychologically informed, trauma-aware and relational approaches across the Foundation.
In addition, the role will support statutory processes, partnership working and service development, while providing professional leadership and contributing to staff development. Overall, the postholder will help ensure that psychological knowledge is effectively translated into meaningful improvements in the experiences and outcomes of children, young people and their families.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide Educational Psychology services within the Foundation and as part of an external services offer.
- Provide professional leadership to the Health, Therapies and Families Service under the direction of the Head of Therapeutic Practice and Health.
- Provide psychological, educational and practical support to children, young people, families, staff teams and other professionals working both within and external to the Foundation.
- Plan and deliver psychological assessment, consultation and intervention, offering advice to support learning, behaviour and well-being.
- Offer psychological support to children, young people, families and staff systems through onsite, offsite and remote delivery (e.g., Zoom, Teams).
- Contribute to the multidisciplinary team, providing psychological and educational input and supporting team development.
- Contribute to preparation for adulthood, supporting transition into post-16 education, employment, training and independent living for young people.
- Liaise with Foundation staff to enhance understanding of learning, behaviour and emotional needs.
- Represent the Foundation professionally with external agencies to advocate for children, young people and families.
- Support the Foundation within SEN and Disability tribunals and other relevant hearings, providing professional advice.
- Uphold the Foundation’s Quality of Life, psychologically informed and Positive Behaviour Support ethos in all interactions.
- Model reflective practice, self-care and positive wellbeing in line with the Foundation ethos.
- Promote diversity, collaboration, equality and inclusion across the organisation.
Leadership
- Offer professional support and oversight to the Health, Therapies and Families Team through consultation, training, supervision and reflective practice.
- Plan and supervise the work of assistant psychologists, trainee psychologists and students, supporting their development and placements.
- Contribute to policy and service improvements relating to Educational Psychology and psychologically informed practice.
- Collaborate with clinical and operational leads on planning, organisation, audit and development of service delivery.
- Provide supervision to MDT colleagues where appropriate.
- Deliver training and professional development to staff teams.
- Contribute to audit, service evaluation and research activity.
- Lead on the development and delivery of psychologically informed, trauma-aware and inclusive practice across the Foundation.
- Undertake psychological and educational assessments and contribute to complex multidisciplinary formulations.
- Deliver and oversee individual, group and systemic interventions.
- Provide specialist consultation on learning, behaviour, emotional wellbeing and inclusion.
- Contribute to recruitment processes, including shortlisting and interviewing where appropriate.
- Undertake project management, including audit, research and service evaluation, to support service development.
- Prepare and present findings from audits, evaluation and research to internal and external audiences.
- Support the ongoing development of the Health, Therapies and Families Service to ensure high-quality provision.
Professional
- Adhere to professional and regulatory body standards (e.g., HCPC, BPS).
- Engage in regular professional supervision in line with HCPC and BPS guidance.
- Undertake continuing professional development (CPD) and share learning across the organisation.
- Contribute to research, evaluation and publication activity where appropriate.
- Use psychological theory and evidence-based practice to inform work.
- Contribute to the development and review of Foundation policies and procedures.
- Maintain high standards of Educational Psychology practice through networking and collaboration.
- Participate in line management supervision and performance development processes.
- Keep up to date with legislation, policy and guidance (e.g., SEND Code of Practice, safeguarding frameworks).
Assessment, Collaborative Planning and Evaluation
- Conduct psychological and educational assessments with children, young people and families.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of intervention plans aligned with individual and family goals.
- Contribute to EHCPs, IEPs and personalised learning plans, ensuring psychological and educational recommendations support access to learning.
- Reflect on progress with colleagues to develop effective strategies.
- Communicate complex assessment findings clearly to families, young people and professionals.
- Support the implementation of PBS and psychologically informed approaches, ensuring dignity, inclusion and rights.
- Develop and implement outcome measures for individuals and the wider service.
Collaboration and Advocacy
- Work collaboratively with children, families, education staff, health professionals and social care teams to develop effective, evidence-based interventions.
- Liaise with external agencies to support access to appropriate services and resources.
- Support the Foundation to develop and extend its offer within and beyond the organisation.
- Provide guidance and support in complex or crisis situations, ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed.
- Maintain a child-centred and systemic approach, considering the wider context and relationships.
Documentation, Communication and Reporting
- Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with safeguarding, GDPR and data protection requirements.
- Complete psychological reports in line with education legislation and professional standards.
- Contribute to the evaluation and refinement of interventions.
- Communicate sensitively and effectively when sharing complex information.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Knowledge and Understanding
- Stay informed about current issues affecting children, young people and families.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in Educational Psychology and related fields.
- Adhere to confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
- Demonstrate understanding of safeguarding, SEND processes and relevant legal frameworks.
Managing Own Performance and Development
- Maintain professional standards and registration in line with HCPC and relevant bodies.
- Demonstrate effective engagement and motivation skills when working with children, young people and families.
- Attend supervision and provide updates to senior leadership.
- Actively engage in professional development and reflective practice.
Person Specification
Experience
- Significant post-qualification experience as an Educational Psychologist, typically around 2–5 years, with evidence of autonomous work and specialist advice.
- Experience of working with children and young people with SEMH needs, neurodiversity and SEND.
- Experience of conducting psychological and educational assessments and producing high-quality reports and recommendations.
- Experience of consultation with education staff, families and multi-agency professionals.
- Experience of contributing to EHCPs, and working within multidisciplinary teams and service development.
- Experience of supervising trainee or assistant psychologists and other professionals.
Personal Qualities
- Value-driven, safeguarding-focused, committed to equality and diversity.
- Self-motivated, proactive and committed to ongoing professional development.
- Strong communication, collaboration and inclusion skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to a dynamic organisation.
Knowledge and Understanding
- Excellent knowledge of child and adolescent development, learning, emotional wellbeing and psychology.
- Strong understanding of SEMH, developmental trauma, attachment, neurodiversity and SEND.
- Knowledge of legislation and statutory guidance including the Children and Families Act, SEND Code of Practice, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and Equality legislation.
- Understanding of consultation, systemic practice and psychologically informed approaches.
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).
Qualifications
- A professional qualification in Educational Psychology eligible for HCPC registration, including: Doctorate in Educational Psychology or equivalent; or overseas qualification accepted by HCPC.
- Current HCPC registration as an Educational Psychologist
- Chartered Psychologist Status with the British Psychological Society (BPS) or eligibility to obtain this
- Continued compliance with HCPC Standards and CPD requirements.
- Additional postgraduate qualifications or accredited training relevant to SEMH and SEND.
- Accredited post-qualification training in CBT, EMDR, or other evidence-based approaches
Attributes, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to undertake complex psychological and educational assessments and formulate recommendations.
- Excellent consultation, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Ability to build effective relationships with children, families and professionals.
- Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Analytical thinking, problem solving and creative solution development.
- Strong organisational, report-writing and time-management skills.
- Ability to provide professional supervision and mentoring.
Additional Factors
- Interest in organisational learning, research and sector-wide practice development.
- Commitment to maintaining HCPC registration and ongoing CPD, supervision and reflective practice.
- Full UK Driving Licence
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a disclosure check by the DBS for previous convictions.
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
