North Northamptonshire Council

The important contribution of Educational Psychology to key outcomes for children and young people is well-recognised in North Northamptonshire, such that a significant expansion of the LA Educational Psychology Service has been agreed – offering a range of stimulating work and opportunity for career progression. We are looking for motivated, committed, and passionate Educational Psychologists (EPs) to come and join us at this exciting time to help our children and young people to achieve their aspirations, through a range of direct and systemic work. We are interested in applications, including: from TEPs currently on educational psychology doctoral training programmes who are due to qualify in September 2026 or September 2027; and from psychology graduates and qualified EPs who are interested in the role(s) above appropriate to their experience.     

North Northamptonshire EPS is a consultation-based, solution-oriented, and child-centered service rooted in Positive Psychology. The service provides core work, including Early Years, Critical Incident, and statutory input for the Local Authority; and commissioned work at the individual, group and organisational level to schools and other settings, which have recently included Social Care and Public Health. The service has 4 Specialist Senior EP posts focused currently on: Children with a Social Worker; Diversity; Early Years / Early Intervention; and Social Inclusion; and enhanced posts for leading: our Targeted Mental Health in Schools (TaMHS); Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA); and Mediated Learning Support Approach (MeLSA) programmes. We promote emotional wellbeing for staff working in schools through our training, coaching and supervision offer. In order to continue to consistently provide up-to-date evidence-based support to our clients, an on-going comprehensive CPD programme is available for all members of the EPS. Recent CPD has included Neuro-Affirmative Practice, Sensory differences, Hearing differences, MeLSA, and Dynamic Assessment, as we strive to work more inclusively, effectively and with a strong anti-racist approach to our work.

We support the development of new staff to our profession through employing 4 Assistant EPs and providing placements for TEPs, (currently 4) who almost always then go on to take-up employment with us post qualification. Except for the PEP, all qualified EPs carry a generic EP workload as well as any additional responsibility.

We are very proud of our effective, friendly and supportive service, and you will be working alongside other committed professionals to maintain high standards. We are significantly involved in leading the current drive within the LA to maximise inclusion in our local educational settings. We are currently leading on developing and co-producing an ambitious programme for all our mainstream schools to be trained in relational approaches and trauma informed practice, and to embed these in their policies and practice.

The above posts represent exciting opportunities to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people, through addressing more smartly the increased demand in accessing ours and related services. Please see the full Job Description / Person Specification provided for each post.  

For all successful applicants, we will provide a comprehensive induction programme and additional support for newly qualified EPs; and for those newly taking-on senior EP roles. 

The EPS supports flexible working, including from home, through full IT provision and modern office accommodation. We encourage colleagues to frequently work in our office – to maximise mutual support and collaboration. 

North Northamptonshire EPS is a Safer Recruitment service, and all successful candidates will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. North Northamptonshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We welcome applicants from ethnic minority communities.

Applicants must be professionally qualified and registered with the HCPC

For informal discussion, please contact Mike Simons, Principal Educational Psychologist mike.simons@northnorthants.gov.uk  07912 187268; or one of our Senior EPs (SEPs): -

cliff.turner@northnorthants.gov.uk,  team manager for Kettering/Rushden.

rebecca.judge@northnorthants.gov.uk team manager for Wellingborough. 

yvonne.needham@northnorthants.gov.uk, team manager for Corby /East Northants.

Deadline for applications for all posts is midnight on Monday 25th May 2026.

NB In order to ensure eligibility for interview, please be sure to identify in your application how you meet each of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification. 

Interview dates for Assistant Educational Psychologist posts are 9th and 10th June 2026.

Interview date for Educational Psychologist posts is 8th June 2026.

Interview dates for Senior Educational Psychologist post is 12th June 2026.