Hampshire County Council - Educational Psychologist

Joining Hampshire Educational Psychology (HEP) as an Educational Psychologist, you'll become part of a highly regarded, values-led service with a national reputation for innovation, collaboration and inclusive practice. HEP continues to deliver local authority work, including statutory duties for children and young people aged 0 to 25, alongside a highly valued traded service, offering a broad and varied range of opportunities to make a difference.

As part of the Experts at Hand rollout, HEP is extending and diversifying the initiatives it delivers to support the professional development of staff and the use of effective inclusive practices in mainstream settings from pre-school to college. Through consultation, advice, training and capacity-building work, you'll help ensure children and young people receive the right support, at the right time, within their everyday learning environments.

As a strengths-based service with a long history of collaborative and empowering approaches, we keep children and families at the heart of what we do. Guided by our values of kindness, compassion, integrity, genuineness, optimism and growth, we promote dynamic and interactive approaches to assessment (rather than psychometric norm-based), supporting creative and inclusive ways of understanding and meeting children and young people's needs.

Our Educational Psychologists value the variety of work, opportunities to innovate and the strong sense of collaboration across the service. Whether you're newly qualified or experienced, you'll be given every opportunity to develop your skills and interests. Here's what two of our newer colleagues have to say:

"As a newly qualified EP, I have valued the thorough induction process, regular supervision sessions, and the support from the wider team. I felt so welcomed into HEP right from the beginning and have developed a strong sense of belonging over the year."

"I really value the variety of work and CPD opportunities I am able to engage in, alongside working with so many amazing EPs."

What you'll do

• Deliver a wide range of psychological services across schools, colleges, early years settings and communities, using a variety of dynamic assessment approaches, consultation and person-centred planning.
• Provide psychological advice, including statutory advice, and support for children and young people aged 0-25 under the SEND Code of Practice.
• Act as a consultant to parents, carers, educators and other professionals on psychological matters.
• Deliver training and group supervision to support the professional development of staff in schools across Hampshire.
• Contribute to multi-agency support for children and young people.
• Support project development, policy implementation and joint initiatives with partner agencies.
• Provide specialist educational psychology advice, consultation and capacity-building support as part of Hampshire Local Area Partnership's Experts at Hand offer across a range of educational and community settings.

What we're looking for

• You’ll either be an experienced Educational Psychologist registered with HCPC or in your second or final year of training. 
• A strong commitment to developing inclusive and effective educational outcomes.
• Sound knowledge of applied psychology, current legislation and guidance relevant to children and young people, along with equality and diversity principles.

See our Candidate Pack for more information about the role, team and our values. Please demonstrate how you meet the requirements outlined in the 'About You' section.

Why join us?

• Be part of a nationally recognised service known for innovation, impact, and inclusive practice.
• Enjoy a variety of work across traded and statutory services along with the opportunities to work creatively in schools and colleges. 
• Join a large, experienced team with a strong ethos of support, collaboration, and shared learning.
• Benefit from high-quality CPD, regular individual and peer supervision, and a comprehensive induction.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice. 
• A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the closing date.

Travel Requirements: You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Vetting Requirements: The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Informal enquiries
For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk
For an informal chat about the role, please contact any of the following Area Senior Educational Psychologists: 

• Dan Taylor (North area - based in Basingstoke) on dan.taylor@hants.gov.uk or 01252 814835
• Dr Jamie Coe (South area - based in Havant) on jamie.coe@hants.gov.uk or 02392 441496
• Dr Anna Nolan (West area - based in Winchester) on anna.nolan@hants.gov.uk or 01962 876239
• Dr Caroline Robertson (East area - based in Farnborough) on caroline.robertson@hants.gov.uk or 01252 814729