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- Tasks: Lead and innovate within Trafford's Educational Psychology Service to support children with SEND.
- Company: Join Trafford Council, a Living Wage Employer dedicated to community prosperity and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, remote options, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping inclusive practices in education.
- Qualifications: Must have 3+ years of experience in Educational Psychology and relevant qualifications.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth in a friendly, values-driven organisation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 73000 £ per year.
Principal Educational Psychologist
Location – Sale Waterside, Sale M33 7ZF
Salary range – Soulbury: Senior and Principal Educational Psychologists: Pt 13-15 (£72,095 to £74,790 per annum)
Trafford council is a Living Wage Employer.
Working Pattern Full Time (Monday Friday)
Working hours 36.25 hours per week
We will offer flexibility where we can if you are interested in a role, please speak to the recruiting manager about what flexibility they might consider.
Many of our colleagues can work from home for one or more days a week and/or they flex the hours they work. We call this SMART working, and it gives you the option to flex your days and hours so you can fit your work around your life and life around your work.
Contract type Permanent
Application deadline 09 February 2026
Interview type In person
About the Role
We currently have an exciting leadership vacancy within our team to enable us to continue to build on our success and bring new experience, knowledge, and ideas.
Trafford’s Educational Psychology Service is a successful, thriving and well-respected service driving forward support for children with SEND across the borough and we are looking for a Principal Educational Psychologist to join a dynamic and cohesive, small borough team with a strong track record for recruitment and retention.
Our new Principal Educational Psychologist will have the vision, passion, expertise, and ability to innovatively lead the service forward to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children and young people. You will be able to contribute to supporting and extending our commissioned work streams including supporting the Early Years service and Virtual School alongside the delivery of the Whole School and College approach to Mental Health and the implementation of our Emotionally-Based School Non-Attendance toolkit of support.
As the Principal Educational Psychologist, you will shape local practice, working in partnership with schools and others to drive inclusion and improve SEND practice and you will ensure that our Educational Psychology team has the skills and expertise to influence and lead support across the local area. We are proud of our strong service level agreement offered to our schools including our centralised ELSA training offer.
The EP service also benefits from our strong links with Manchester University and regular involvement in doctoral research commissions and you will enjoy leading and participating in our culture of peer support, our commitment to continuous learning and the professional development of all team members.
About you
You should have proven experience of leadership within an EP service, providing direction and clear vision to those you work with, to ensure service excellence across the SEND sector and we would welcome applications from senior Educational Psychologists with appropriate experience.
You will be able to demonstrate experience in managing and developing staff, alongside excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and have a proven track record of delivering SEND improvements, including experience of planning and budget/financial management.
You must be able to work alongside other managers across the SEND Local Area, to ensure consistency of practice across the borough and to promote the development of a supportive collaborative culture.
You will be able to demonstrate how you have successfully led and managed innovative and developmental projects that addressed the SEND improvement priorities of the local area whilst ensuring children, young people and their families are at the centre of all practice and processes.
You must be able to be flexible and resilient and be able to plan, organise and prioritise a demanding workload to maintain the delivery of multiple and competing short and long term objectives.
You should also have a minimum of 3 years’ Educational Psychology experience and have a Degree in Psychology (or equivalent as recognised by the British Psychological Society) and hold a registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council.
About us
Trafford Council and its partners in the public, private and third sectors have a Vision which sees us working together to close inequality gaps and maximise Trafford’s huge potential.
Our vision: Trafford where all our residents, businesses and communities thrive.
Trafford is a lively, prosperous place to put down roots and build a career. The council and Trafford schools employ around 8,000 people, who are central to making the area great. In return for their commitment, the council offers its employees development opportunities, as well as a fair and flexible workplace. The council is a Living Wage Employer.
Additional Information
Please note the advert may close early if we receive a high number of applications so, please do not delay in submitting your application.
Flexibility will be required to work outside core hours.
A DBS check will be required.
You will have some flexibility in terms of hybrid working at home and in the office.
You will be required to drive in this role.
Contact Details
For further information related to this post, please contact:
Karen Samples, Director of Education, Standards, Quality & Performance
Tel:
About the benefits
You will be welcomed into a friendly environment where your personal and professional development will be encouraged. You will have the opportunity to work and grow in a people-centered and values-based organisation that promotes a positive permission culture. Your opinions matter so you will have the opportunity to shape how we do things here at Trafford.
To learn more about Trafford as a place to work visit and t o view more about our awards and benefits please visit: Trafford – Benefits | (greater.jobs)
If you are applying under the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme then you need to show that you meet the essential requirements of the job as set out in the ‘About You’ section of the role profile. You may be given the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, talent and abilities at an interview or other form of assessment.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment – greater.jobs |
For this opportunity, you must be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK – if in doubt please visit the following link Employers\’ right to work checklist – GOV.UK ( . Please note we are not a licensed sponsor and we won\’t be able to support with your work visa.
Privacy Notice – The Council needs to hold and process information about employees, workers and other individuals as appropriate, for various reasons. With the General Data Protection Regulations coming into force we have in place a new privacy notice for staff, contractors, volunteers, trainees, those on work experience and job applicants. To find out more, please click here: Recruitment & Employment Privacy Notice (trafford.gov.uk)
Principal Educational Psychologist employer: Trafford Council
Contact Detail:
Trafford Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Educational Psychologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with current and former employees of Trafford Council, especially those in the Educational Psychology Service. They can provide insights into the team culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Trafford's SEND improvement priorities and recent initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their current projects will demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to driving positive change in the local area.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led innovative projects in the past. Highlighting your leadership experience and successful outcomes will show that you have the vision and expertise needed for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to articulate your approach to collaboration with schools and other stakeholders. Emphasising your ability to foster partnerships will be crucial, as the role requires working closely with various organisations to improve SEND practices.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Educational Psychologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your leadership experience within an Educational Psychology service. Focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive SEND improvements and manage staff effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for educational psychology and your vision for the role. Mention how your experience aligns with Trafford's goals and how you can contribute to their innovative service.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, including your degree in Psychology and registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council. Emphasise any additional training or certifications that are relevant to the role.
Showcase Communication Skills: Provide examples of your excellent communication and interpersonal skills in your application. This could include experiences where you successfully collaborated with schools or led teams to achieve common goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Trafford Council
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Principal Educational Psychologist, your leadership skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, particularly in the SEND sector. Highlight your ability to inspire and guide others towards achieving common goals.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of SEND Practices
Familiarise yourself with current trends and best practices in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). During the interview, be ready to share your insights on how to improve SEND services and support for children and young people, showcasing your expertise in this area.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, particularly in relation to collaboration with schools and other stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Be sure to illustrate your interpersonal skills by discussing how you've successfully communicated with various stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and other professionals. Provide examples of how you've navigated difficult conversations or facilitated discussions to achieve positive outcomes.
