Surrey County Council - Educational Psychologists

Surrey County Council's Educational Psychology team are recruiting!

A message from Rachael Wardell, Executive Director – Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, Surrey County Council:

"I am really pleased that you're interested in joining Surrey County Council within the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL) directorate. 

People are the beating heart of everything we do in CFLL. Our collective purpose as a directorate is to ensure that children are seen and heard, are safe and can grow; it is also to ensure that everyone in Surrey – children and adults – benefits from education and can achieve their potential. As a directorate we have big and bold ambitions for the next few years and our workforce is crucial in helping achieve these."

Would you like to be part of an innovative, evidence-based and outcome-focused service, with excellent supervision and development opportunities? There has never been a better time to join us!

Our EP Service has a strong commitment to high quality, applied psychology and has dedicated time to engage in a broad range of preventative work, alongside statutory work, with opportunities to develop areas of specialist expertise.

Rewards and Benefits

• A competitive salary for main grade EPs: Soulbury Scale A, 3 – 8: £46,525 - £56,540 per annum, with up to 3 SPA points (existing SPA points will be transferred)
• A starting salary at point A5 for newly qualified EPs
• SPA points 1 and 2 are automatically awarded after 1 and 2 years successful practice
• London Fringe Area allowance of £916 per annum
• Essential Car User Lump Sum Allowance of £963 per annum
• 26 days' holiday rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Part time and fixed term opportunities are available
• Flexible working options around school core hours
• Mobile and agile working solutions with friendly local bases for office working
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to support health and wellbeing
• A comprehensive supervision programme consisting of peer supervision and regular supervision with your line manager
• A comprehensive induction programme including a buddy for the first term. Newly qualified EPs will also have a reduced caseload for the first term
• Extensive CPD programme with 7 whole service study days across the year, development activities within area team meetings and opportunities to develop areas of special interest in line with the council's priorities
• Generous Local Government salary-related pension and the option to join the car lease scheme
• Relocation package of up to £8,000 which is exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions for permanent positions
• Visa sponsorship

About the Service
We are a large and expanding service consisting of a PEP, Area Senior EPs, EPs, Trainee EPs, Assistant EPs, Locum/ Associate EPs and a dedicated Business Support team. Within the service we are divided into four area quadrants with offices in Weybridge, Reigate and Woking and we will aim to accommodate your preferred location. 

We are a supportive service, who adopt flexible and hybrid working practices. Our team members tell us that our positive relationships, professional autonomy, continuous professional development and emphasis on regular meetings with peers are real strengths of the service.

We are part of a wider Inclusion and Additional Needs Team and work collaboratively with colleagues in Speech and Language Therapy and Specialist Teaching. We also work closely with colleagues in health and social care and engage with these services to promote emotional wellbeing and mental health.

We are committed to enabling positive futures for all children and young people. Our focus is on the young person in their educational, home and community setting. We work collaboratively through the application of psychological theory, research and person-centred techniques with children and young people, their families and professionals to enable children to thrive in their local communities. Consultation, co-production and inclusion are fundamental to all aspects of our work.

We have many interesting opportunities for you to get involved with, some examples include:

• Working with Surrey's Virtual School, Surrey Early Education Services, the Team Around the School, Adoption Southeast and our local Mental Health Support Teams
• Training Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs), school staff in Literacy for All approaches, school staff to support CYP experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance, school staff in the Compassionate Schools Programme and Key Adult Programme
• Supervising trainee EPs, assistant EPs, ELSAs and nurture group teachers
• Supporting school staff through our bookable consultations, AANTs (Analysis of Additional Needs Tool) and telephone helpline
• Supporting families through multi family groups
• Service development activities such as our work on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and supporting aspiring EPs

About the Roles
As part of the Council's commitment to providing early intervention, we are looking to expand our capacity to deliver a sustainable preventative offer to schools, alongside our statutory work, and to strengthen our emotional wellbeing and mental health offer in partnership with health colleagues. We are seeking applicants who have a commitment to delivering high quality work through applied psychology.

We welcome applications from experienced Educational Psychologists as well as current year two and three Trainee EPs.

Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• You want to work in a service committed to promoting positive futures for children and young people
• You have a recognised qualification in Educational Psychology
• You are registered with the HCPC

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and our EPs will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

We are a supportive and friendly team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about the work we do. If you feel like this could be the place to start your career or to further develop your psychological skills, then please do get in touch to find out more.

When your employment begins, you will need to be a member of HCPC. An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.