Educational Psychologist

The London Borough of Islington is seeking to employ an enthusiastic and creative Maingrade Educational Psychologist (EP) to join our friendly, supportive and highly regarded Educational Psychology Team.

The successful candidate will be committed to working within a consultation framework to improve life outcomes for children and young people (0-25) and their families in Islington. You will contribute to the core and traded service delivery to schools and settings, and work jointly with other professionals committed to bringing about positive change at a strategic and individual child level. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and have a sound knowledge of psychological and emotional development, of evidence informed interventions, and be able to demonstrate key skills in the analysis of pupil progress.

We welcome applicants from experienced EPs as well as from year 3 trainees who will be completing their training in August 2023.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an EP service which works creatively with colleagues and professionals from other teams to raise the achievements and promote resilience of vulnerable groups. This includes training ELSAs, working with the Youth Offending Service, and Virtual School, and developing trauma informed practice in schools . The EPS offers high quality individual and peer supervision for all team members. We are committed to the development of our practice as psychologists and offer a wide range of varied work and CPD opportunities. We have strong links with a number of the London Universities and so benefit from having a number of TEPs on placement who play an integral part in our service delivery. Islington is a wonderfully vibrant borough with a diverse community.

Applicants must be a professionally qualified Educational Psychologist and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).(Trainee EPs will need to have eligibility confirmed following completion of their recognised training course - within 3 months of commencing employment).

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to challenging inequality and discrimination, promoting equal opportunities and valuing the diversity of communities within the Borough and within the Islington workforce.

The successful candidate will join a very friendly and highly respected team of skilled EPs and trainee EPs.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS clearance.

We welcome calls from candidates wanting to find out more about this post. Please contact Gill Sassienie (Principal Educational Psychologist) or Amanda Holgate. Patricia Velinor or Chris Shaldon (Senior Educational Psychologists) on 0207 527 3747 or emailgill.sassienie@islington.gov.uk

Closing date: Sunday 16th April 2023 at 23:59

Provisional Interview Date: To be confirmed

Safeguarding:

• Be committed to, and take responsibility for, promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children, young people and vulnerable adults who they come into contact with.

Early Intervention Services in Schools and Settings

• To provide high quality psychological consultation, assessment and person-centred planning to education and community settings in Islington and other Loal Authority Services, so that you can make recommendations about support and interventions that will make a real difference for children, young people and their families at an individual, group and organisational level.
• To develop and maintain the full range of professional knowledge, skills and experience to satisfy the role and the requirements of this post.

School focussed work

• To provide an educational psychology service to a designated group of educational establishments
• To contribute to improving the quality of educational environments and the skills and knowledge of staff, in order to raise educational attainments and improve the wellbeing and resilience of all children and young people, especially those with SEND, to ensure they have the best possible preparation for adulthood
• To participate, alongside other members of the team, in providing an effective critical incident and loss and bereavement response to schools and settings.

Statutory SEN processes

• To advise the Director of Children’s Services and other relevant officers on the needs of children and young people within the framework of current legislation and statutory duties, and in line with Islington’s local offer.
• To have a full understanding of relevant legislative frameworks and guidance, council policies and service guidelines and standards so that appropriate advice and support is given.
• To advise the Local Authority regarding children subject to SEND Tribunal appeals and to attend Hearings where appropriate.

Record Keeping and Report Writing:

• To keep appropriate written records, documentation and data in line with service guidelines, and within the policy of confidentiality
• Provide clear, concise and high quality psychological reports about children’s needs with recommendations of provision to meet agreed goals and outcomes.

Training, Support and Projects

• To provide high quality training and support for staff and professionals working with children to enhance their capacity to meet the needs, and enhance the learning, of the children they work with
• To work alongside staff in schools to develop their skills and knowledge by promoting evidence based practice

Supervision and Support

• To participate in service supervision arrangements, including peer supervision with EP colleagues; provide supervision and support opportunities to trainee EPs, and provide supervision and coaching to other professionals (eg Emotional Literacy Support Assistants and senior leaders in schools)

Team and Multi-Agency Focussed Activities

• Liaise with partners from other agencies to develop Service and Council projects and initiatives; including promoting belonging and inclusion, trauma informed practice and supporting CYP’s mental health.
• Take responsibility for your continuing self and professional development, and participate in service training and development activities
• Participate in the ongoing development of service plans, and contribute to ensuring the EPS provides psychological services that are of a high psychological standard, are value for money, and are efficient.

Working Flexibly

The above- mentioned duties are neither exclusive nor exhaustive. You may be required to undertake responsibilities outside the normal remit of your Job description, as required by the Service Management, and are within your grading and level of competence