Principal Educational Psychologist

Sanctuary Personnel; England; Hybrid; GBP 83,000 - 124,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly pay

Flexibility in assignments

Networking opportunities

Diverse work experiences

Work-life balance in countryside

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK is seeking an experienced Principal Educational Psychologist for an interim role within the Integrated 0-25 Disability Team. The position involves providing quality assurance, strategic leadership, and overseeing service enhancements during a transformative period. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills and a solid understanding of SEND reforms. This locum opportunity offers flexibility and the chance to work in diverse settings across Kent, balancing professional development with a fulfilling work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading educational psychology services during change.
• Knowledge of SEND reforms and local authority statutory duties.
• Ability to balance operational delivery with strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and quality assurance of educational psychology functions.
• Lead comprehensive service-wide reviews and recommend enhancements.
• Advocate for practice changes to manage demand.
• Embed efficient, research-led processes across assessment and intervention pathways.
• Maintain strong operational performance and compliance with statutory responsibilities.
• Offer professional supervision to educational psychologists and senior practitioners.
• Support the broader 0–25 SEND leadership team with strategic guidance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Job description

Exciting Opportunity for Principal Educational Psychologist - Integrated 0-25 Disability Team

Interim Principal Educational Psychologist required within the dynamic Integrated 0-25 Disability Team. This exceptional locum role offers the chance to make a significant impact during a pivotal phase of development, improvement, and change. You will bring essential leadership and strategic insight, guiding the service through a transformative period with the support of a dedicated team.

Locum work offers unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to gain diverse experiences in different settings. As a locum, you have the freedom to choose assignments that match your skills and interests, allowing for a rewarding and varied career. You can develop your professional network and take on unique challenges that enrich your career.

Perks and benefits:

• Competitive hourly pay – Enjoy a handsome compensation package that reflects your expertise and dedication.
• Flexibility – With locum work, you have the freedom to choose assignments tailored to your personal and professional needs.
• Networking opportunities – Work alongside experts in the field and expand your professional connections.
• Experience diversity – Gain diverse experiences across different schools and community settings in Kent, enhancing your professional development.
• Work-life balance – Embrace the perfect balance of work and personal life in the scenic countryside.

What you will do:

• Provide oversight and quality assurance of statutory educational psychology functions.
• Develop innovative approaches to increase service capacity and effectively manage growing demand.
• Lead and contribute to a comprehensive service-wide review, recommending enhancements in structure, practice, and workforce.
• Embed efficient, research-led processes across assessment and intervention pathways.
• Maintain strong operational performance and compliance with statutory responsibilities.
• Offer professional supervision to educational psychologists and senior practitioners.
• Support the broader 0–25 SEND leadership team with strategic guidance.

As a highly skilled interim professional, you will:

1. Deliver confident leadership during periods of change and transformation.
2. Balance operational delivery with strategic planning to modernise the Educational Psychology Service.
3. Advocate for and implement practice changes that create capacity to manage anticipated demand.
4. Strengthen early intervention to alleviate pressure on formal assessment routes.
5. Facilitate multidisciplinary solutions to enhance workflow and overall impact.

This locum assignment is ideal for an experienced and effective leader who is comfortable in complex environments, knowledgeable about SEND reforms and local authority statutory duties, and able to drive improvement and transformation. Your solutions-focused mindset and excellent relationship-building skills will be invaluable in this role.

Working with Sanctuary Personnel:

Sanctuary Personnel is a trusted and award-winning agency for roles. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot from over 1,000 reviews and many prestigious industry awards, we are dedicated to finding you the best possible rates in roles that match your skills and experience.