Principal Educational Psychologist

BCP Council; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Relocation support £8,000

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

BCP Council is seeking a Principal Educational Psychologist to lead the Educational Psychology Service at a pivotal stage of development. You will shape service strategy, provide professional leadership, and partner with schools, Public Health, NHS and SEND services to deliver improvement.

The role sits on Soulbury B 12-15 and includes up to three SPA points where applicable. You will drive early intervention, inclusive practice and SEND reform, ensuring the service demonstrates innovation and

Qualifications

• HCPC-registered Educational Psychologist with leadership experience.
• Strong strategic thinking and professional leadership.
• Ability to build effective relationships across services.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional and strategic leadership to the Educational Psychology Service.
• Develop a culture of excellence in psychology practice and innovation.
• Contribute to SEND reform and influence across Children's Services and wider Local Authority.
• Lead workforce development, quality assurance, commissioning and financial management.

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Dynamics Position No. and Role Profile Code 100725A

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Soulbury Scale B 12-15, with up to three SPA points where applicable.

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Closing Date:

30/10/2026

Job Category:

Children's Services

Region / Division:

Children's Services

Business Unit:

Education and Skills

Job Introduction

This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP .

Principal Educational Psychologist – Lead the Next Stage of Our Service

This is an exciting opportunity to lead an Educational Psychology Service at an important point in its development.

Through our Experts at Hand programme, we are developing cluster-based approaches that bring professionals together around children, families and schools. Alongside wider SEND reforms, our Educational Psychology Service has an important role in helping shape earlier intervention, inclusive practice and the Local Authority's response to the changing SEND landscape.

At the heart of our approach is a simple belief: when we understand a child or young person better, we are better placed to make a difference.

Lead, shape and influence

As Principal Educational Psychologist, you will have the opportunity to build on the foundations we are establishing and shape the next stage of our development.

You will provide professional and strategic leadership to the Educational Psychology Service, developing a culture in which excellent applications of psychology, curiosity and innovation are encouraged.

You will contribute towards the development of Experts at Hand and our response to SEND reform, while strengthening the contribution of psychology across Children's Services and the wider Local Authority.

Your role will include strategic service development, workforce leadership, quality assurance, commissioning and financial management, alongside building strong partnerships with schools, families, Public Health, the NHS and wider SEND services.

We want our service to be outward-facing and responsive: identifying emerging needs, developing and evaluating innovative approaches, learning from excellent practice elsewhere and sharing our own practice more widely.

A message from our Interim Principal Educational Psychologist

My priority as Interim PEP is to establish strong foundations for the future: a clear professional direction, a developing leadership structure and a service that is ambitious about the contribution psychology can make.

I want to hand over a service that is ready for its next Principal Educational Psychologist to take forward.

There is still work to do, and that is part of the opportunity. The next PEP will have the scope to bring their own ideas, build on what is working and shape a service that is increasingly able to respond to the needs of children, families, schools, the Local Authority and our wider community.

Mike Lane
Interim Principal Educational Psychologist

About you

You will be a qualified and HCPC-registered Educational Psychologist with substantial leadership experience within a Local Authority or comparable setting.

You will bring strategic thinking, strong professional leadership and the ability to build effective relationships across services and organisations. You will be comfortable leading through change, using data and evidence to inform decisions, and creating the conditions in which psychologists and other colleagues can flourish.

You will also bring knowledge of financial and budget management and a commitment to reflective practice, supervision, inclusion and hearing the voices of children, young people and families.

The post is on Soulbury B 12-15, with up to three SPA points where applicable.

In line with the Council's corporate pay policy, new employees are appointed at the entry point of the advertised range.

What we offer

We offer flexible working, professional development, Local Government Pension Scheme membership, generous annual leave, family-friendly policies, wellbeing benefits and relocation support of up to £8,000, subject to eligibility.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise –it’show we work.

We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need.

It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here:

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.

Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.