At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children's educational and emotional well-being through psychology.
- Company: Join Essex County Council's dynamic team of Educational Psychologists.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting career growth in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in Essex.
- Qualifications: Doctorate in Professional Educational Psychology and HCPC registration required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
Essex County Council is seeking passionate and dedicated Main Grade Educational Psychologists to join our quadrant-led teams. We are committed to applying psychology to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including Trainee Educational Psychologists in their second or third year of training.
What We Offer
- A supportive and collaborative working environment
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- The chance to make a difference in the Essex schools and settings we support
- Salary based on the Soulbury Pay A Scale (+ SPA) with your entry level to the role determining salary
If you are passionate about applying psychology to support the educational and emotional well-being of children and young people, we would love to hear from you. We welcome applications from candidates looking for part-time hours.
Essex Educational Psychology
Our Educational Psychologists (EPs) are a friendly, dynamic, progressive, research-informed and solution-oriented team, committed to applying psychology to improve lives and create positive change. Our EPs are reflective and committed to continuous professional and practice development. As an Essex Educational Psychologist, you will benefit from our supportive, collegiate environment and enjoy working collaboratively with multi-agency partners and professional colleagues to deliver innovative approaches to meeting the needs of rapidly growing and diverse school communities across our county.
The model of service delivery in Essex reflects our commitment to early-intervention, consultation, training, inclusion, social justice and building strong relationships with our schools/settings and communities.
The Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to join a large, progressive and committed team of practitioner psychologists. As an Essex EP you will be supported via a comprehensive induction process and an exemplary programme of ongoing clinical supervision. You will also benefit from an excellent continuing professional development programme which includes joint CPD days and some opportunities for personal CPD days (pro-rata) each year. This includes a Projects and Research conference with presentations from innovative national and regional speakers as well as updates on research projects from within the service.
Essex has excellent links with doctoral training programmes, and several of our Essex EPs are also academic and professional tutors. As a main grade EP, you will have the chance to develop your practice with support and guidance from our team of senior specialist colleagues, who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, applying evidence-based approaches, and developing psychologically based interventions. Ongoing projects also include VIG, and ELSA. Our Educational Psychologists also provide support and guidance to schools and settings following a Critical Incident. In addition, there are opportunities to develop your own special interests by working alongside Essex’s SEND Strategic Leads relating to specific areas of SEND.
In joining our dynamic team of Educational Psychologists at Essex County Council you will be based in one of our four quadrants:
- North: Colchester and surrounding areas
- Mid: Chelmsford and surrounding areas
- West: Harlow and surrounding areas
- South: Basildon and surrounding areas
We are looking for candidates who
- Hold a Doctorate in Professional Educational Psychology - Essential
- Are registered with the HCPC as a practitioner psychologist or will be eligible for registration with the HCPC at the end of their training.
- Are eligible for Graduate membership with the British Psychological Society (GMBPsS).
- Have a good understanding of relevant legislation and evidence-based approaches and interventions
- Are committed to applying psychology to make a difference to the lives of children and young people in Essex.
Benefits
Essex County Council will support you with a competitive benefits package that is underpinned by our ambitious People Plan. Within this plan we set out our commitment to provide an exceptional work/life balance for every Essex County Council employee, including lifestyle-friendly working patterns and generous annual leave. You will also have access to:
- A welcome payment of up to £5,000 plus a possible relocation package of up to £8,000 (terms and conditions for both payments apply).
- Money-off high street purchases via the Essex Extras Reward Scheme.
- Flexible benefits such as the option to purchase additional holiday, plus a lease car scheme.
- Paid HCPC registration.
If you are interested in finding out more about Educational Psychology in Essex, please contact Stephen Whitfield – PEP: SEND Strategy Lead Psychology - Stephen.Whitfield@essex.gov.uk
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.
Educational Psychologist - Main Grade employer: Working for Essex
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer for Educational Psychologists, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises professional development and growth. With flexible working options, a competitive benefits package, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people in Essex, this role provides a unique chance to thrive in a dynamic public service setting. Join a progressive team committed to innovation and social justice, where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Educational Psychologist - Main Grade
✨Get Involved in Local Psychological Communities
Join local psychology associations or groups where professionals gather. Whether it’s workshops, conferences, or social events, connecting with others in the field can lead to job opportunities and insider info on unadvertised openings.
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you’re a recent graduate, don’t forget to tap into your university’s career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with organisations looking for fresh talents, plus access to internships that could lead to full-time roles.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a blog or a LinkedIn page where you share insights about psychology theories or current trends. This not only showcases your knowledge but can help you connect with like-minded professionals and potential employers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you find a role like Educational Psychologist - Main Grade at Working for Essex, make your application stand out by applying directly through our website. This gives you a better chance to be seen by hiring managers. Plus, tailor your application to highlight your passion for psychology and relevant experiences!
We think you need these skills to ace Educational Psychologist - Main Grade
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 Working for Essex 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 Working for Essex
✨Brush Up on Key Psychological Theories
Before stepping into the interview with Working for Essex, 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.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Ethical Guidelines
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 Working for Essex 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 Working for Essex that you’re not just there for a job, but genuinely passionate about the field.
