Devon County Council - Educational Psychologists

As a place to live and work, Devon is hard to beat with top-performing schools, universities, vibrant cities, pretty villages and some of the most scenic coast and countryside in the UK. Living and working in Devon has never been more attractive.

Devon Educational Psychology Service (EPS) is a well-established, lively and thriving EP community, which is undergoing an exciting period of development.

We are looking for main grade EPs to join our friendly and dynamic service to support the delivery of strategic priorities as part of Devon’s SEND transformation.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team.

We welcome applications from experienced EPs as well as from Year 2 & 3 trainees. We have vacancies in North Devon (Barnstaple office base), and South Devon (Totnes office base).

Why work for us?  

• SEND services in Devon are being transformed. The EPS is central to influencing and delivering these cultural changes.
• There are opportunities to be involved in the implementation of Devon’s Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision toolkit which will support schools and settings to enhance their mainstream provision.
• All EPs have opportunities to be involved in specialist and project work. We have well-established evidence-based projects which improve outcomes for children with care experience, children at risk of exclusion and children experiencing EBSNA.
• Devon EPS is a national leader in the area of Relational Policy and Practice, and you will support this work.
• Our Psychology Works traded service offer to settings includes Consultation and Review, training and supervision.
• We believe in distributed leadership and provide opportunities for EPs at all stages of their careers to be involved in service development via our Service Development Group.
• There are career progression opportunities via permanent Specialist Senior EP posts.
• We are committed to joint multi agency working. You can practice in your locality with a range of multi-agency teams whilst maintaining professional identity within the EP service.
• Wellbeing and a healthy work-life balance is important to us.

This is the role: Main grade educational psychologist:

• To work as an applied Educational Psychologist supporting children, schools and families from 0-25 within an area of Devon and contribute to Devon initiatives and priorities.
• To support the successful inclusion of children who are vulnerable or have SEND through the provision of high-quality traded and core psychological service to parents/carers, staff in schools and settings and other professionals
• Deliver training to school staff/ other professionals to support inclusive practice in schools.
• Co-produce services and solutions based on parent/ carer and child lived experiences.
• To contribute to the training of Trainee EPs on placement with the EPS, including as a supervisor.

These are the benefits...
We offer an attractive package of benefits, including:

• Generous annual leave allowance of 43 days plus bank holidays
• Employee benefits scheme including lifestyle savings
• Access to the attractive Local Government Pension Scheme including optional additional Voluntary Contribution scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
• Well-structured induction programme which is positively evaluated
• Strong CPD offer
• High quality individual supervision distinct from line management
• Excellent IT equipment and support
• Paid HCPC registration

Anything else I should know?
To find out more about the Educational Psychology Service please visit our website, Come and work with us - Support for schools and settings, Educational Psychology Service - Support for schools and settings.

We welcome informal enquiries about how this role might fit your circumstances.

If you are interested in knowing more and would like an informal conversation, please contact Dr Rachel Edmundson, Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist, Rachel.edmundson@devon.gov.uk 

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and applicants must share this commitment.
• An enhanced DBS with ABL and CBL check is required for this post.
• Applicants must be professionally qualified and registered with the HCPC.
• Applicants must hold a full current driving licence and have access to a vehicle for regular business use.

For an informal discussion please contact Rachel Edmundson on rachel.edmundson@devon.gov.uk.

How to apply :
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.  

Apply now via the link.

• DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
• Happy to Talk Flexible Working - The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
• For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
• We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).