Educational Psychologist

Central Bedfordshire Council; Shefford; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Office facilities

Free onsite parking

IT support

CPD time (pro rata)

Supportive team

Job summary

Central Bedfordshire Council is inviting applications for an Educational Psychologist to join our expanding EPS. You will deliver statutory and non-statutory EP services across schools and settings, with a focus on early intervention and collaborative practice.

We offer hybrid working, a supportive leadership team, ringfenced CPD time, and opportunities to develop specialisms aligned with local priorities. Closing date 30 October 2026.

Qualifications

• Recognised postgraduate training qualification in Educational Psychology.
• Registration with HCPC as an applied psychologist.
• BPS chartered membership is desirable or required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver statutory and non-statutory Educational Psychology services across schools and settings.
• Plan and deliver training and interventions for schools, parents/carers, children, young people and other teams.
• Achieve positive, sustainable change by working with key adults around children.
• Collaborate with and be supported by a team of Assistant Educational Psychologists.
• Develop specialisms aligned with service priorities and the LA’s strategic vision.
• Conduct action research, participation projects and service user evaluations.

Education

Postgraduate training qualification in Educational Psychology

HCPC registration as an applied psychologist

BPS Chartered Membership

Job description

Salary: £60,767 – £69,939 (Soulbury A point 8-14) per annum pro rata inclusive of up to 3 SPAs, plus £2,000 MRS per annum pro rata

Hours: 37 hours per week (part time considered)

Location: You will be expected to attend a CBC office location as often as needed to carry out your role, which will be no less than once per month.

Contract: Hybrid - Permanent

Closing Date: 30th October 2026

Interviews: 12th November 2026 and 20th November 2026

About the role

We're growing - join our expanding Educational Psychology Team at Central Bedfordshire Council.

At Central Bedfordshire Council, we are proud to be growing - and growing with ambition. We are continuing to invest in our Educational Psychology Service (EPS), and this is your opportunity to be part of something exciting, meaningful, and future-focused.

We are committed to early intervention, with strong and resolute backing from senior leaders across the Local Authority. We are fully committed to our non-statutory Link EP model through our team around the school systemic approach and consultation-based service delivery model, with time protected project work. We are proud to be moving forward in how we support children and young people more effectively - and we’re just getting started. Our Educational Psychologists collaborate closely with SEND Advisors, Sensory Impairment Specialists and Special School Outreach Practitioners to make a real difference in young lives.

We’re expanding our Link EP model to ensure that every school has access to EP consultations as well as other early intervention projects and activities guided by the principles of co-production. This collaborative approach has already helped us successfully roll out Therapeutic Thinking and EPs are currently training and developing NVR support to schools and families, upholding our commitment to embedding relational approaches across the Local Authority.

As part of our successful project work (granted funded by the DfE), we have recently developed a new Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance guidance document and training package, which was co-produced with our families in CBC, as well as a new SCERTS training offer for all schools and settings delivered across a multiagency team including EPs. We have also had direct involvement with the training and implementation of ARC project in collaboration with the Virtual School, Emotion Coaching, NVR and ELSA.

We prioritise your professional development, with ringfenced CPD time, individual and group supervision, research opportunities, and a strong focus on providing a reflective space for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

As an Educational Psychologist with us, you will:

• Deliver both statutory and non-statutory EP services across schools and settings.
• Plan and deliver impactful training and interventions for schools, parents/carers, children, young people and other teams.
• Achieve positive, sustainable change by working with key adults around children.
• Collaborate with and be supported by an established and skilled team of Assistant Educational Psychologists.
• Develop specialisms aligned with service priorities and the LA’s strategic vision.
• Conduct action research, participation projects and service user evaluations.

About you

You will need a recognised postgraduate training qualification in Educational Psychology or will have this qualification when you join us. You will meet the requirements for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an applied psychologist as well as having the qualifications to hold a BPS chartered membership.

We warmly welcome Year 2/3 trainee EPs and encourage applications from groups underrepresented in the profession.

We’re shaping Psychology in the community

We are building a locality model to embed psychology in the heart of our communities, and value exploring opportunities to embed psychology within the communities we work in to facilitate positive and powerful change for the children and young people we support. If you're passionate about making meaningful impact through community-focused practice, you’ll thrive here.

We will provide you with:

• A comprehensive induction package, including a bespoke relational focused training opportunity for all colleagues within Children's Services.
• Hybrid working and excellent office facilities.
• Free onsite parking and full IT support.
• 12 days ringfenced CPD time (pro rata).
• A culture of collaboration, support and wellbeing.
• High-quality supervision and peer support.

Join us and be part of an experienced, dynamic and supportive team

You’ll be working alongside a highly experienced and supportive SEND leadership team:

• Daniel Newbolt, Service Director for Education, SEND & Inclusion.
• Dr Karen Harris, Head of SEND Specialist Services & Principal Educational Psychologist.
• Dr Yvonne Bancroft and Dr Alice Edmanson - Senior EP's

Let’s build something meaningful together - CBC is a great place to grow as an Educational Psychologist.

Our Offer

We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page

Our aspiration is to be a truly flexible employer. We welcome discussion on location, hours and working pattern as part of the application process.

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You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack.

Our Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.

For an informal discussion about this position, please contact:

• Dr Karen Harris, Head of SEND Specialist Services & PEP at [e-mail] or call 0300 300 4214
• Dr Yvonne Bancroft, Senior EP at [e-mail] or call 300 300 4408
• Dr Alice Edmanson, Senior [e-mail] or call 0300 300 5959

We’re also happy to arrange a meeting with members of our extended team so you can hear first‑hand what it’s like to work with us.

Safeguarding:

Central Bedfordshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, volunteers and contractors to share this commitment. This post is subject to the disclosure of criminal records.

To maintain a fair and consistent approach for applicants, it is Central Bedfordshire Council's policy to only consider applications made via our online application system and we therefore thank you for not submitting your application offline.

Your application to us is a reflection of who you are professionally and should give us an accurate and authentic picture of your skills, experiences and if applicable qualifications. Before you submit your application, we will ask you to confirm if you have used AI.

All new starters will join us on a four‑month probationary period. During this time, if you are offered a Hybrid role you will be required to attend a Central Bedfordshire Council office location more frequently to support thorough and well‑supported onboarding into your role. Please keep this in mind if you anticipate extensive travel to Central Bedfordshire.

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles. Successful applicants that may require a visa will need to consider the options for obtaining and/or maintaining the legal right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the contract offered.

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