Reading Borough Council - Educational Psychologist X 2

About the Role 

We are a well-staffed service committed to providing high quality, evidence-based psychological advice. The Educational Psychology Service is highly valued within the LA and central to the SEND reforms and we are looking to expand our team to meet the exciting opportunities for new ways of working under the Experts at Hand model.

We offer a highly supportive environment to develop your career. Innovation and ambition are encouraged, and you’ll be part of a friendly and collaborative team.

Our EPs enjoy a balanced workload with managed statutory demands (approx. 2 EHCNAs pcm), a patch of schools and protected time for projects/commissioned work.  EPs work in a range of settings, as well as engaging in systemic work, training and partnership work with colleagues across the council, e.g. the YJS; the VS for Children with a Social Worker; Children’s Homes and Reading’s Inclusion Service.

Role Responsibilities:

• Consultation, assessment, advice and intervention regarding the education and well-being of young people aged 0-25, in collaboration with children, parents and teachers
• Assisting schools in developing effective approaches to meeting special educational needs
• Contributing to the development and implementation of RBC policy and practice, with particular regard to SEND
• Providing psychological advice for statutory assessments
• Contributing to the development and delivery of projects, eg Trauma Informed and Therapeutic Thinking Schools, Reading’s Autism Growth Approach, Emotional Literacy Practitioner training 
• Psychological input into other teams, e.g. Children’s Social Care; Early Years and Inclusion Support.   
  Rewards and benefits specific for this role
• Existing SPA points transferred
• Reduced caseload for newly qualified EPs
• Office access plus agile and flexible working opportunities 
• Regular supervision and face-to-face contact with team members
• CPD opportunities e.g. Trauma Informed Practice; VIG; Intensive Interaction; SCERTS

Visit Work with us and jobs at Brighter Futures for Children in Reading for more benefits.

About You

• A Masters or Doctorate qualification in Educational Psychology (or in training).
• Be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or, for trainee EP’s, eligible for registration following completion of their recognised training course.
• The ability to travel around Reading

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. 

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as One Team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our Offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment. 

A competitive salary, alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities 
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years.  The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact  Abigail.O’Neill@reading.gov.uk or Ellie.Hayes@reading.gov.uk

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

All practising Educational Psychologists in the UK must be registered with the HCPC.

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is required to work as an Educational Psychologist in the UK.