North Somerset Council - Senior Educational Psychologist

North Somerset is building a new model of SEND support, and educational psychologists are at the centre of it. We are looking for a Senior EP to lead one of our three Experts at Hand locality hubs and help grow the team that will deliver it.

This is a chance to shape a programme from the start rather than inherit one. The role is open to experienced EPs ready for their first senior post and to current Senior EPs looking for their next challenge.

Who we are
We are a small, close team. We look out for each other and we care about the work. Our values are compassion, curiosity and collaboration, and they shape how we work with children, families, schools and each other. We cover statutory, early intervention and traded work, and our Principal EP leads Experts at Hand across the local authority.

Experts at Hand
Experts at Hand has three tiers. Tier 1 is what every school provides, supported by our SEND Provision Expectations and EP-developed training. Tier 2 is the heart of the programme. Multidisciplinary locality teams of EPs, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, advisory teachers and parent experts work alongside school staff through consultation, coaching, supervision and training, and schools can access this support without a referral. Tier 3 offers individual assessment and formulation where Tier 2 support is in place and a question remains.

The role
You will be one of two Senior EPs working with the Principal EP, with a lead for practice and development. You will:

• lead one locality hub, giving senior leadership to schools and partners in that area and EP professional leadership within its multidisciplinary team
• lead recruitment, induction, supervision and CPD across the EP team, including trainee EP placements
• line manage a group of EPs and the Specialist Provision Support Team Leader
• manage statutory allocation, EHC needs assessment timelines and compliance
• help develop Tier 1 and our post-16 offer
• keep a manageable amount of your own EP practice, so you stay close to the work you lead

Why North Somerset

• No more than 50% of your allocation is statutory work
• Six CPD days a year, a healthy CPD budget and leadership development
• Monthly one-to-one supervision with the Principal EP, plus peer and group supervision
• An Impact Analyst who supports data, evaluation and administration
• A compact county, so less time driving between schools, and good parking at our base
• 29 days’ annual leave rising to 34 after five years, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 10 more
• Hybrid working, usually two to three days a week in the office
• Local Government Pension Scheme and a dedicated Wellbeing Team

North Somerset sits between Bristol and the Mendips, with the coast on the doorstep.

About you
We want to hear from EPs who believe in inclusion, enjoy developing others and want to help build something new. You will need:

• HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist (educational) and a recognised postgraduate qualification in educational psychology
• experience of leadership within an EP service, including supervising or developing other practitioners
• strong statutory experience and up-to-date knowledge of SEND legislation and the direction of SEND reform
• a commitment to consultation and systemic approaches that build the skill and confidence of school staff
• the ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions under pressure

Experience of supervising trainee EPs, leading multidisciplinary work or using data to evaluate impact would be welcome.

Talk to us
I would be glad to talk about the role before you apply. Please get in touch for an informal conversation:
Guy Clayton, Principal Educational Psychologist
[email protected]  | 07811 307321

How to apply
Read the full advert, job description and person specification, and apply online by following the link to apply.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. A valid driving licence and own transport, or a suitable alternative, is essential. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.