Area Principal Educational Psychologist

Durham County Council; Middlestone Moor; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking an experienced Area Principal Educational Psychologist. This role involves supporting Educational Psychologists and collaborating with a leadership team in the Specialist Inclusion Support Service. Candidates must hold a degree in Psychology, an approved Educational Psychology qualification, and be eligible for HCPC registration. The position offers a hybrid working model, a competitive salary package, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Must have a first degree in Psychology and an approved qualification in applied Educational Psychology.
• Eligible for Chartered Status (HCPC Registration) and enhanced DBS check required.
• Experience in providing statutory and early intervention services.

Responsibilities

• Support Educational Psychologists and wider team members in practice.
• Provide a balance of statutory work and early intervention services.
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Statutory work balance

Early intervention

Education

First degree in Psychology

Approved qualification in Educational Psychology

Eligibility for Chartered Status (HCPC Registration)

Job description

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced Educational Psychologist with good interpersonal and communication skills who is ready to step up into a Senior Educational Psychologist role.

In Durham your job title will be “Area Principal Educational Psychologist”, recognising the important role you will play in supporting Educational Psychologists and wider team members, and in the strategic development of identified areas of practice.

When you join our growing team you will work closely with our Principal Educational Psychologist and four other Area Principal Educational Psychologists, forming a strong leadership team for our Specialist Inclusion Support Service.

Hugely rewarding and full of variety and challenge – this is a fantastic opportunity to progress your career!

What is involved?

Our Educational Psychology team provides a wide range of interventions and projects within schools and Early Years Settings. It sits within the broader context of a vibrant Specialist SEND and Inclusion Service with a range of psychology‑led multidisciplinary teams offering excellent professional development and career opportunities. In this role you would be expected to provide a good balance statutory work and early intervention and preventative services.

You can also find out more about us here: Working as an Educational Psychologist in County Durham – Durham County Council https://www.durham.gov.uk/educationalpsychologist

We encourage you to contact Peter Mulholland, Principal Educational Psychologist for an informal discussion about the role before you apply. You can contact Peter by e‑mail at [e-mail] or by telephone on 03000 263324.

How will I be supported?

We are passionate about our people and offer a great working environment. When you join our service, you can expect:

• An excellent induction package
• High quality supervision as well as peer support.
• Our commitment to supporting your wellbeing and personal development.
• Our support to have a great work/life balance, with flexible working options including an attractive time off in lieu policy, part time working and compressed hours (for example a 9‑day fortnight).
• Our support to follow your own professional interests through a strong programme of continuing professional development, dedicated project time and opportunities to undertake research.
• A central office base in Spennymoor with free car parking, with hot desks available across the County.
• A hybrid model of work which combines office‑based working and working from home.
• A co‑located dedicated business administration team to support your work.
• Recognition of any SPA points you already hold, and proactive encouragement and support to reach any additional SPA points as you become eligible.

What will I need?

To apply you will need a first degree in Psychology, an approved qualification in applied Educational Psychology and eligibility for Chartered Status (HCPC Registration). An enhanced DBS check is also required for this post.

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.

Interviews

We will review applications regularly and agree a mutually convenient date and time for interviews with shortlisted candidates.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked‑after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

Our offer to you

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

Removal and lodgings

Removal, lodging and separation expenses may be available to the successful candidate if at the time of application for appointment their place of residence is outside the administrative area of County Durham and more than 30 miles in a straight line from their new administrative centre, along with several other criteria for eligibility.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

How to apply

Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted. For guidance on completing your application, visit our website.

If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email [e-mail].

All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from [e-mail]. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.

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Key Reference

#VPRS/161