About the role
Be part of a service that changes the lives of children in care.
This is an exciting opportunity for you, a Local Authority committed EP who wants to make a real difference to the educational outcomes. You will apply your psychological skills, knowledge and research experience from a social justice/social model perspective to improve the educational outcomes, emotional well‑being and resilience of children in care.
Through consultation, assessment and evidence‑based intervention, you will work directly with children, carers, designated teachers, social workers and other colleagues supporting looked-after children—both within Central Bedfordshire and those placed out of county.
You will provide consultation and psychologically informed advice to education staff, foster carers, supervising social workers and Virtual School colleagues to support:
- Emotional well‑being
- Resilience building
- Effective behaviour support
- Placement stability
- Attendance
- SEN identification and provision
You will design and deliver high‑quality training for schools, foster carers and social care colleagues, including:
- Trauma Informed Approaches and Attachment Awareness in schools
- Therapeutic Approaches to support Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance
- Making Successful Transitions
- Resilience building
You will provide evidenced based psychological advice to the Virtual School, contribute to care planning, and work closely with social care, education and health partners.
You are looking for an experience EP with strong skills in consultation founded on social justice principles, committed to multi‑agency collaboration, therapeutic intervention and training, and dedicated to supporting children in care.
- A reflective, child‑centred practitioner.
- Able to work autonomously and manage your time effectively.
- Skilled at building relationships across agencies.
- Committed to promoting inclusion and improving outcomes for vulnerable learners.
HCPC registration (or completion of training for NQEs) is essential.
Why Join Us?
- A supportive, forward thinking and innovative Educational Psychology Service
- A growing and ambitious Virtual School
- Opportunities to develop specialist expertise in trauma, attachment and SEMH
- CPD opportunities, including specialist interest groups and the annual Virtual School conference
- A role where your work genuinely changes life trajectories
For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Karen Harris (Head of Service SEND Specialist Service and Principal EP) at Karen.harris@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or Jacqui Bunker Dare (Head of Virtual School) at Jacqui.Bunker-Dare@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
Applicants should note that this post is not on Soulbury Pay and Conditions.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
Key Details
Team: Educational Psychology and Virtual School
Salary: £56,836 - £62,168 per annum pro rata - plus up to 3 SPA points. Plus MRS £2,000 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week (made up of 0.5 FTE Virtual School EP and 0.5 FTE Central Bedfordshire Educational Psychology Service)
Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month, with work across Central Bedfordshire and out‑of‑county placements.
Contract Type: Hybrid – Permanent
Closing date: 1st March 2026
Interview date: 18th March 2026
Closing Date: Sunday 1st March 2026
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