Specialist Educational Psychologist
- Durham County Council
- Full Time
- Spennymoor
Job Description
Do you like the idea of taking on a diverse range of projects and initiatives while leading strategically in key areas of need? Are you motivated to influence inclusive practices and advance your career within a supportive Local Authority?
We are seeking creative and enthusiastic individuals with strong interpersonal and communication skills to join our team. As a successful applicant, you will play a key role in our multi-disciplinary service, benefiting from excellent professional development support and career opportunities.
The Durham SEND and Inclusion Support Service offers psychology-informed SEND advice and support to 260 schools in the local area. Our service is organized into Locality EP teams and Specialist Inclusion Support teams, each aligned with specific areas of need. This structure provides an excellent opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of professionals and to develop specialised knowledge and skills in educational psychology.
Join us and make a meaningful impact in a highly valued service!
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
As a Specialist Educational Psychologist (EP) in Durham, you will play a crucial role in supporting practice development across our Service. You will have dedicated time to influence strategic developments, focusing on enabling inclusive practices within educational settings. All our teams and professional groups work towards this goal, and you will collaborate with a range of colleagues to shape and deliver initiatives in this area. This includes a particular emphasis on understanding and better meeting the needs of young people struggling to attend school. You will work with colleagues from the wider support system on matters related to Elective Home Education, Attendance, Education Other Than At School (EOTAS), and School Anxiety agendas.
You will be supported by an Area Principal Educational Psychologist and the SEND Management Team within the Service. A portion of your time will be dedicated to providing EP support to a patch of schools. This role offers a good balance of work at all levels of the system, ideal for an experienced EP who is keen to influence the system in which they work.
We offer an excellent induction package, along with good access to supervision and peer support. Our central office base provides free on-site parking and is supported by our business administration team. EPs can work in a hybrid model, combining school and office-based work with working from home, and have easy access to hot desks across the County. We have a highly competitive time off in lieu (TOIL) policy and are committed to supporting staff wellbeing and personal development. We encourage colleagues to pursue their own professional interests, supported by good access to ongoing CPD. All colleagues have opportunities to engage in research and development work through ringfenced project time.
We encourage you to contact Joanne Underwood, Area Principal Educational Psychologist, via email at joanne.underwood@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
To apply, you will need a first degree in Psychology and a recognised post graduate doctorate qualification in Educational Psychology, appropriate experience working as an EP and be registered with the Health Care Professions Council. An enhanced DBS is required for this post.
You will also need your own transport or means of mobility essential as you will be required to travel around the Local Authority.
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
REWARDS AND BENEFITS
We offer generous rewards and benefits that are designed to help you perform at your best:
- Competitive salaries and 27 days holiday per year rising to 32 days after five years continuous local government service.
- Option to purchase up to 10 additional days annual leave per year.
- Excellent work/life balance through schemes including job sharing, compressed hours and flexi-time (allowing up to 13 flexi days per year).
- Hybrid working (home and office working).
- Excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Plus, top up options - Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme and standard AVC scheme for members of the LGPS.
- Wellbeing Portal and access to an Employee Assist Scheme.
- Wide range of learning and development opportunities including professional qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
- Employee Benefits Portal and Lifestyle Savings Scheme (discounts across a host of major retailers).
- Discounted DCC gym membership.
- Staff networks run by staff for our staff, including Race Equality and Diversity, Disability, LGBT+, Armed Forces, Carers, Menopause.
- Trade Union membership.
- A range of other salary sacrifice schemes such as car leasing.
