Essex Educational Psychology Service (EPS)
Improving lives: using psychology to create positive change

This is an exciting time to join Essex Educational Psychology Service (EPS). A new role of SEND Inclusion and Psychology Lead has been established in each quadrant following our redesign. They will work collaboratively across the leadership team to strategically plan and drive forward the SEND vision for Essex. They will lead and manage the SEND Inclusion team made up of EPs, Inclusion Partners and Assistant EPs to effectively support individual and clusters of schools, settings and colleges to be inclusive for children with SEND.

Due to a recent internal promotion for one of our team members, we are seeking to recruit a SEND Inclusion and Psychology Lead based in Harlow or Braintree. This role includes all aspects of managing a team of EPs within the area and holding countywide responsibilities for service-related development.

Key accountabilities

• Effectively lead and develop the SEND Inclusion team within a designated quadrant, overseeing the system for programme allocation and management across the team.
• Accountable for the quality and impact of the work of the Inclusion team, showing a commitment to evidence-based practice. Providing support and supervision to the team for the most complex individual setting/school work.
• Accountable as the professional lead for SEND Inclusion and Psychology on behalf of the local authority (LA), in one quadrant.
• Contribute to statutory processes and seek to promote effective decision making and strategic planning, resourcing and deployment of staff across the quadrant. Work with the quadrant leadership team, social care, health, parents/carers and educational settings to innovate and co-produce news ways of working.
• Work closely with School Effectiveness Partners to develop cohesive and collaborative practice of the SEND Inclusion and School Effectiveness teams, for the benefit of schools and settings.

There are many other good reasons to join the Essex EPS. This is a large, vibrant and creative service working across 4 geographical areas. We are a solution-oriented service and free at the point of delivery. We are committed to working with trainees and will have 11 in the service next year. Benefits of joining our team include:

• an excellent induction programme;
• a £4000 Welcome Payment (pro-rated)
• an annual two-day Projects and Research conference for the service to share their innovations and hear from national speakers;
• 8 Service days and individual additional CPD days;
• many employee benefits through Essex Extras
• a lease car scheme;
• Essex Extras reward system (money off on the high street);
• good ICT support;
• fringe allowance for posts in Harlow and Basildon;
• option to purchase additional holiday;
• HCPC fees paid;
• regular professional supervision, separate from line management;
• a generous relocation package of up to £8000;
• a generous policy on SPA points;
• Assistant EP support in the service;
• Pearson Assessments on iPads.

The successful candidate will have a Doctorate or Master's degree in Educational Psychology and eligibility for chartered status within the British Psychological Society.

The role requires substantial experience as an Educational Psychologist working in a local authority context, detailed knowledge of effective research-informed interventions, and excellent leadership skills.