Leicestershire County Council - Educational Psychologist

Leicestershire EPS (LEPS) is a service that provides great opportunities for diverse, meaningful and innovative EP work within a supportive environment. Our goal is to provide access to high-quality psychological practice to a range of partners, to improve the lives of children and families within our local communities. Our service is growing, and we are now actively seeking EPs to join and contribute to the service. We would welcome applications from registered EPs or those who are in Year 2 or Year 3 of their doctoral training.

All commissioning schools in Leicestershire have a named EP who becomes part of their school community, providing a range of psychological practice to meet their needs. We use a structured time allocation system for all work (including statutory work) that enables EPs to manage their workloads and to preserve a balance of work, which we recognise is crucial to well-being, motivation and professional growth.  

About us: We are a partially traded service, with demand for our commissioned work growing year on year. Our offer currently includes:

• Service level agreements with individual schools including specialist provisions
• Statutory work undertaken for the SENA Service
• A traded training offer to support inclusive practice in schools
• Accredited ELSA training and ELSA supervision.
• MELSA Training
• Whole School Approach project work in partnership with Public Health
• Support to the Local Authority including our Critical Incident Response Team and membership of Inclusion Forums 

As an Educational Psychologist in LEPS you will:

• Provide a commissioned service to your own patch of schools, with the freedom to apply a range of psychology at all levels to support the learning, development and well-being of pupils and the wider school community.
• Provide support to our SENA service through the delivery of high-quality statutory advice for children and young people who are going through the EHCNA process, and through contributing to SENA multi-agency decision making panels.
• Contribute to a range of research, project and development work within the service, the LA and in partnership with others (e.g. PINs, EBSA, Trauma informed Schools).
• Provide training to schools and partners with a clear focus on supporting inclusive practice across a range of settings through the application of psychological thinking.
• Continue to develop your own skills and knowledge through participation in the process of supervision; contributing to the induction of new staff; supervising trainee educational psychologists and undertaking further training and continuing professional development.

Essential requirements: 

• Professional postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology, and HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist. Appointed trainees will be expected to hold HCPC registration at the point of taking up post.
• Experience as an Educational Psychologist or Trainee EP in an LA environment, with experience in applying psychological skills at child, group, and systems levels, leading to positive outcomes.
• The ability to apply a broad range of psychology to support the learning, development and well-being of children and young people across a range of ages and contexts.
• A clear commitment to supporting the inclusion of children and young people with SEND and/or other experiences that impact on their experiences of education.
• The ability to work flexibly, decisively and independently.
• The ability to work collaboratively with others within and beyond the team, developing and maintaining positive working relationships with a wide range of colleagues and partners.
• Detailed understanding of relevant legislation, guidance and policy in relation to SEND and safeguarding, with the ability carry out all duties in line with LCC Safeguarding policies and procedures.
• A commitment to Equal Opportunities, with the ability to apply this to day-to-day situations

We are committed to supporting the development of the profession and we enjoy strong links to the EP doctoral training programmes. A member of our team currently holds a secondment post as Professional Practice Tutor at the University of Nottingham.

Leicestershire EPs have access to:

• Excellent whole-service and individual CPD opportunities
• Structured time-allocation model promoting well-being and a balance of work
• Regular and high-quality individual supervision sessions and access to peer supervision
• Well-appointed central office base and first-class facilities within County Hall, Glenfield
• Local ‘touchdown’ bases across the county to reduce travel time
• Up-to-date ICT equipment for mobile / agile working
• Flexible, family friendly working arrangements
• Social events organised by team members to promote connectedness

We are committed to welcoming individuals who embrace equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. 

Informal enquiries are welcome. Please telephone or email to speak with Dr Helen Tyson Principal Educational Psychologist 0116 305 5100 or via email on Helen.Tyson@leics.gov.uk or Lisa O’Connor, Senior Educational Psychologist on Lisa.O’Connor@leics.gov.uk. We can also arrange confidential contact with a Maingrade Educational Psychologist who can share their experiences of working for LEPS. 

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken and Safer Recruitment Practices will be undertaken. 

Applications can be made via the East Midlands Shared Service Jobs website.