Essex County Council are looking for dedicated Specialist Senior Educational Psychologists (SSEPs) to join our quadrant-led teams. This role combines statutory and early intervention work along with strategic development in a specialist area, contributing to innovative practice and improved outcomes for children and young people.
While role specific SSEP responsibilities are service wide, all SSEPs are based within 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
What We Offer:
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities to lead and shape specialist practice across Essex.
- Dedicated time for strategic work in your area of expertise.
- Ongoing professional development and supervision.
Educational Psychology in Essex
EPs are part of a wider transformation programme aimed at improving outcomes and life experiences for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Specialist Senior Educational Psychologists (SSEPs) play a key role in this work, contributing to strategic development, complex casework, and the evolution of practice and policy across the county.
As a SSEP, you will dedicate 20% of your time to your specialist area, applying expert psychological knowledge to inform the development of strategic initiatives and interventions. The remaining 80% of your time will involve providing:
- Expert consultation and advice to colleagues, across the range of our SEND and Education teams
- Professional supervision and support for EP colleagues, Field supervision for Trainee EPs, and operational supervision to Assistant EPs through casework, training, and development
- Leadership and knowledge towards inclusive practice through intervention, training, and project work
- Contributions to complex casework and Tribunal work.
- Up-to-date specialist knowledge through research and CPD that is impactful to the EPS and service users.
Specialist Area
Cognition and Learning - Enhance learning outcomes for children and young people with cognitive and learning needs by applying psychological knowledge to develop effective strategies, including the use of assistive technologies.
Key aspects include:
- Supporting schools to implement inclusive learning approaches
- Conducting assessments and applying evidence-based interventions
- Collaborating with educators and multi-agency teams
- Contributing to research, training, and innovation in learning support
The Experience You Will Bring
Essential
- BPS-recognised Psychology degree and Doctorate in Educational Psychology
- HCPC registration and eligibility for Graduate Basis with the BPS
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with integrity and reliability
- Extensive experience applying educational psychology principles and practice
- Evidence of recent CPD and expert knowledge in relevant areas
- Understanding of children’s services and collaborative, multi-agency working
- Experience in planning, performance frameworks, and delivering successful projects or research
- Detailed knowledge of SEND legislation, including the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and Equality Act (2010).
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post.
Key Details
Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist
Role: Permanent, Full Time
Salary: Soulbury Scale B from 3 to 5 plus SPA
Location: Chelmsford
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Salary will pay based on the Soulbury Pay B Scale (plus SPA) with your entry level to the role determining salary.
Closing Date: Thursday 3rd December 2026
NB: The AEP abides by the Advertising Standards Agency Code; we believe all our adverts for vacancies appropriate for our members have been checked in accordance with this code, and AEP policy. To the best of our knowledge, the adverts on this website are ‘legal, decent, honest and truthful’. Except where otherwise stated, all posts carry a salary that is at or above the nationally agreed Soulbury minimum for the post. Members should assure themselves that they are satisfied with the terms and conditions offered. Members are advised to consider fully the implications of successful applications particularly in relation to posts which would entail a move outside the UK, where legislation and cultural issues in other countries should be considered in relation to their personal circumstances. “From time to time, the AEP will carry adverts for agencies supplying EPs to local authorities. Where this is the case, we will have secured agreement from the agency that they will not supply EPs to those authorities we remain in dispute with. Information regarding our current disputes can be found here: http://www.aep.org.uk/members-home/latest-news-members/aep-disputes-update/
