Achieving for Children, Kingston & Richmond - Educational Psychologist

About the service
AfC Educational Psychology Service (EPS) is a dynamic, innovative and high-quality service which applies psychology and evidence-based practice (grounded in theory and research) to bring about change in the lives of children and young people (0 – 25 years of age) in AfC. We work collaboratively with schools, early years’ providers, colleges and other educational settings, as well as professionals and agencies to build, embed and sustain positive change and provide every child and young person with the opportunity to succeed as effective learners, confident individuals, and engaged and informed contributors to society. 

About the role
To deliver the full range of EP services to schools and resourced provision, you will: 

• To undertake regular visits to allocated schools and to advise and support them within the framework of the Code of Practice (Children and Families Act, 2014) in the identification, planning and management of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• To liaise and work closely with colleagues within AfC, other agencies and support services and with Health Authorities and other organisations, as appropriate.
• To contribute to a range of AfC commissioned work including statutory assessment and review, and to provide such reports as may be required.
• To assist in the training and development of new entrants to the profession.
• To develop and maintain the skills to offer training and development to schools, parents/carers and others.
• To participate fully in EPS meetings and Continued Professional Development (CPD) programmes.
• To take an active part, as team members, in developing and evaluating psychological service policy and delivery.
• To participate fully in the planning and implementation of Service Development activities.
• To undertake research/project work as required by the EPS and AfC.
• Undertake all duties with due regard to the provisions of health and safety regulation and legislation, AfC’s Equal Opportunities and Customer Care policies, and ICT agreements.

About you: our role specification

Qualifications

• Post graduate professional qualification in Educational Psychology.
• Good Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by BPS and which satisfies the BPS’ requirements for graduate basis for registration (GBR).
• Active registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist (Educational Psychologist) and proven evidence of continuing professional development.

Skills and experience 

• Direct, relevant and appropriate work with children and young people (0 – 25 years) within educational, childcare or community settings.
• The experience of the application of psychology to the benefit of children and young people in a variety of settings.
• A clear understanding of the skills involved in operating within a consultative framework of service delivery which does not focus primarily on statutory work.
• ‘Conscious competence’ regarding the models of psychology being drawn on in day-to-day work, including the ability to apply interactionist and systemic frameworks to facilitate change.
• Ability to use, describe and explain psychological concepts, theories, research and practice in a way which enthuses others and adds to their understanding.
• Experience of addressing specific equality or diversity issues within your practice with colleagues/service users and taking action to solve them.
• Clear and detailed understanding of the legislative framework under which Local Authorities/Social Enterprises now operate.
• Knowledge of current educational policy and practice particularly in relation to the implementation and current assessment of the National Curriculum.

• Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co-producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families. Advocating the voices of those we are working with.

Personal attributes

• A passion for Achieving for Children’s vision, mission and values (trust, empower. respect) to support children and young people to live safe, happy, healthy and successful lives.
• Committed to operating within a consultative framework, ability to demonstrate awareness of how to make an impact in applying psychology to affect change, and view teamwork and peer support as key factors in a successful service.
• Ability to use, describe and explain psychological concepts, theories, research and practice in a way which enthuses others and adds to their understanding.
• Interested in working systemically across two boroughs and committed to early intervention.

Please note: An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.