Principal Educational Psychologist

NHS; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading council in Bracknell Forest seeks an experienced Educational Psychologist to lead the Educational Psychology Service. The role focuses on improving outcomes for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities through strategic leadership and collaboration with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess a Doctorate or Masters in Educational Psychology, have significant experience, and demonstrate a commitment to ethical practice and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified Educational Psychologist with significant post-qualification experience.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate professional staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Educational Psychology Service.
• Manage the EPS budget and develop the traded service offer.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Education

BPS recognised Honours degree in Psychology

Professional Post Graduate qualification in Educational Psychology

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and strategic Educational Psychologist ready to lead a dedicated service, and make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Bracknell Forest.

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependant on the needs of the service.

Main duties of the job

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Educational Psychology Service (EPS), ensuring alignment with council priorities (e.g., SEND strategy, Safety Valve agenda).
• Lead, manage, and supervise the EP team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and high-quality, evidence-based service delivery (statutory and traded).
• Manage the EPS budget and develop the traded service offer, including income generation, marketing, and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Champion multi-agency collaboration, building strong partnerships with schools, health, social care, and families to drive the SEND strategic plan and promote inclusive practice.
• Represent the EPS, contributing expert psychological knowledge at strategic council meetings, SEND panels, and multi-agency forums, ensuring the LA meets its statutory duties.

About us

As the Principal Educational Psychologist, you will lead the Educational Psychology Service (EPS), managing the Senior Educational Psychologists and reporting directly to the Assistant Director Education & Learning. The EPS sits within the Education & Learning section of the People Directorate.

You will be joining a structure focused on improving outcomes for children and young people through collaborative, evidence-based practice.

Job responsibilities

As Principal Educational Psychologist, you will be able to provide strategic leadership for our Educational Psychology Service (EPS). You will drive high standards and innovation, ensuring the effective, evidence-based deployment of psychologists to meet both statutory duties and the demands of our traded service offer. The role of Principal Educational Psychologist is key to shaping the EPS, aligning it with council priorities like the Safety Valve agenda, and ensuring financial sustainability.

You will also play an active leadership role within the wider SEND & Inclusion service, contributing significantly to the local SEND strategic plan and fostering strong multi-agency partnerships to enhance outcomes for CYP with SEND and their families.

You will be fully qualified (Doctorate or Masters in Educational Psychology) and HCPC registered Educational Psychologist with significant post-qualification experience, preferably within a local authority.

As Educational Psychologist, you must have proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate professional staff, alongside experience in strategic planning, service development, and managing change. A deep understanding of relevant legislation (Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice), educational systems, and psychological theory is essential. We need an excellent communicator and collaborator with experience managing budgets and using data to drive service improvement. A commitment to ethical practice, equality, diversity, and inclusion is fundamental.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BPS recognised Honours degree in Psychology (or equivalent).
• Professional Post Graduate qualification in Educational Psychology (Doctorate or Masters).
• Registered as a Practitioner Psychologist (Educational) with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Evidence of relevant and ongoing CPD
• Additional qualifications or training in leadership/management
• Specialist training in relevant areas (e.g., VIG, ELSA supervision, specific therapeutic approaches).

Experience

• Understanding of and commitment to the requirements of safeguarding children, young people, vulnerable adults and promoting their welfare.
• Understanding of and commitment to the requirements of safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults and promoting their welfare.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate a team of professional staff, including experience of supervision and performance management.
• Significant post-qualification experience working as an Educational Psychologist, preferably including experience within a local authority context.
• Demonstrable experience in strategic planning, service development, and managing change within a complex multi-professional environment.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation (e.g., Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Code of Practice), educational systems, and psychological theory/practice relevant to CYP 0-25.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.
• Ability to analyse complex information, evaluate service impact, and use data to drive improvement.
• Commitment to applying psychology ethically and innovatively to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Commitment to recognising and promoting across practice equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Experience of successfully managing and developing traded services within an EPS.
• Experience in leading specific initiatives or areas of specialist practice (e.g., mental health strategies, critical incident response, specific interventions).
• Experience of representing an EP service at a senior level (e.g., SEND panels, strategic forums).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£69,025 to £73,034 a yearSoulbury B 10-13

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,Flexible working,Home or remote working