Assistant Psychologist

Suffolk County Council; Lowestoft; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking Assistant Psychologists to join their Educational Psychology team. This role serves as a vital stepping stone for psychology graduates aiming to further their careers in child and educational psychology. You will work collaboratively across the county, providing essential support to Educational Psychologists while gaining valuable experience and skills. The position offers a supportive environment focused on professional development, making a meaningful impact in the community. If you're passionate about helping children and young people thrive, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

29 Days Annual Leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health and Wellbeing Benefits

Flexible Working Options

Training Opportunities

Volunteering Days

Career Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• 2:1 or above in a BPS accredited psychology degree.
• Enthusiastic and inclusive with a person-centred approach.

Responsibilities

• Support Educational Psychologists in enhancing services for children and families.
• Develop cooperative relationships with colleagues in various agencies.

Skills

Psychology Degree

Person-Centred Approach

Consultation Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

BPS Accredited Psychology Degree

Job description

• Suffolk County Council - Based in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds or Lowestoft - Community Based
• £33,366 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• 37 hours per week
• Fixed term for 12 months as pre-doctorate qualification experience

We are currently recruiting Assistant Psychologists to join us in the Educational Psychology team within our Psychology and Therapeutic Services. This is an excellent stepping stone for psychology graduates aiming to advance their careers in child or educational psychology while making a meaningful impact in their community.

You will be working across the county with a base in Lowestoft, Ipswich, or Bury St Edmunds, whilst working collaboratively with other colleagues as part of the county service.

Role and responsibilities

As an Assistant Psychologist working in the Educational Psychology team, you will support Educational Psychologists in enhancing the psychological service offered to children, young people (CYP), families, schools and the community and develop close, co-operative working relationships with colleagues in other agencies and organisations. You are expected to gain the knowledge, skills and experience to progress to a doctoral training programme in child / educational psychology.

You will:

• Have a good psychology degree at 2:1 or above which is a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate degree or a BPS accredited conversion course.
• Be enthusiastic, inclusive, and person-centred.
• Have an outcome and solution-oriented approach to your work.
• Have the passion to work as part of a team, working with other colleagues across Suffolk.
• Have a strong commitment to developing consultation and therapeutic approaches.
• Work to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience to progress to a doctoral training programme in child/educational psychology.

We offer you:

• High-quality supervision, working within a supportive environment in which to develop your professional skills.
• A commitment to consultation-based and person-centred approaches.
• An innovative work environment with colleagues who are committed to working together to develop a range of whole school approaches.
• Collaborative group work as well as individual work with staff and young people to promote positive outcomes for children, young people, and their families.
• Flexible working.

You will work from a value base that demonstrates Suffolk's WE ASPIRE values (Wellbeing, Equality, Achieve, Support, Pride, Inspire, Respect, and Empowerment). This will include being proactive in developing inclusive, person-centred/strengths-based approaches that enhance confidence and emotional wellbeing and support children and young people to flourish.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility, and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect, and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Marie Osborn by calling 01473 265538 or emailing [e-mail] , or Holly Robertson by calling 01473 265975 or emailing [e-mail] for a casual conversation.

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx ).

Step 2 - Click Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template .

1. Provide an example of how you used an outcome and solution-oriented approach to achieve positive results for a child or young person you have worked with. What strategies or approach did you use and what impact did this have for them?
2. Explain how you stay updated with current research, legislation, and developments in child and educational psychology and reflect through an example of your recent work, how you applied this, in practise.
3. Give an example of how you've contributed to developing inclusive practices in an educational or community setting. What was your role, what did you do, and what did you learn about yourself?
4. Drawing on your relevant work experience with children and young people, explain through an example how you applied your skills in building relationships with them. Consider what you did that supported this relationship and the impact this had.

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or [e-mail] .

Closing date: 11.30pm 15 May 2025

Interview date: 22 May 2025

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .