Senior Educational Psychologists

Hertfordshire County Council; Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 3 SPA points

£7,000 annual market enhancement

Relocation package (up to £6,000)

Up to 36 days annual leave

Reimbursement of HCPC registration

Flexible and hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council’s Educational Psychology Service is seeking a Senior Educational Psychologist to lead service delivery and contribute to strategic development across the county. You will work closely with senior colleagues and manage practice standards while delivering high-quality psychology input for children and families.

You will autonomously handle complex assessments and systemic work, participate in workforce development, and drive innovative approaches within a supportive,

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Educational Psychology or EP Master’s with QTS and HCPC registration.
• Substantial local authority EP experience including people or project management.
• Strong knowledge of Educational Psychology, SEND, and current policy.
• Experience with consultation-based, systemic and Assess–Plan–Do–Review approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality psychological assessment, consultation and intervention to support academic achievement and wellbeing.
• Provide line management and supervision of trainee and qualified EPs.
• Contribute to service development, innovation and countywide initiatives.
• Support operational planning, policy development and quality assurance.
• Collaborate across multi‑agency systems to deliver outcomes for children and families.
• Lead and assure statutory assessment and advice; promote research-informed practice.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Multi-agency collaboration

Communication (verbal/written)

Assessment

Education

Doctorate in Educational Psychology or EP MSc with QTS

Job description

Salary: Soulbury B Scale 4–7 (£63,943 - £68,538 per annum)
Additional: Up to 3 SPA points plus £7k annual market enhancement. £6k Relocation Package
Hours: Full time or part time
Location: Based in either Hemel Hempstead or Stevenage (hybrid working with countywide travel)
Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Children’s Services

Make a difference for children and young people across Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire County Council is proud of its ambitious and evolving Educational Psychology Service. We are seeking Senior Educational Psychologists who combine strong professional expertise with a passion for inclusive, outcomes-focused practice—and who are motivated to shape how services are delivered at both individual and system levels.

This is an opportunity to work collaboratively, influence strategic direction, and apply psychology creatively to improve outcomes for children and young people across Hertfordshire.

About Us

At Hertfordshire County Council, improving life chances for children and young people is at the heart of everything we do. Our Educational Psychology Service works within an integrated practice framework, supporting schools, families and services through consultation, systemic working and high-quality statutory assessment.

We are continuing to invest in service development, innovation and workforce wellbeing, ensuring our Educational Psychologists are supported to deliver impactful, evidence-based practice.

Our service delivers SEND support through consultation-based practice, systemic work and training with schools in partnership with local areas, a dedicated parent contact line, crisis support for schools, and the effective delivery of statutory duties.

Our Values

We foster a professional, supportive culture that values work-life balance, staff wellbeing and flexible psychological practice, underpinned by high-quality supervision, collaborative service development, research-informed practice and robust, ethical quality assurance.

About the role

As a Senior Educational Psychologist, you will play a key role in both service delivery and leadership, working closely with the Principal and Deputy Principal Educational Psychologists.

You will exercise a high level of professional autonomy and be accountable for complex decision-making, assessment and psychological advice within your scope of practice.

Your role will include:

• Providing high-quality psychological assessment, consultation and intervention to support academic achievement and emotional wellbeing
• Provide line management, professional supervision and support of trainee and qualified Educational Psychologists
• Contributing to service development, innovation and new ways of working at local and countywide levels
• Supporting operational planning, policy development, quality assurance and performance improvement
• Working collaboratively within multi‑agency systems to deliver effective, person-centred outcomes for children and families
• Providing leadership and quality assurance for statutory assessment and advice
• Modelling and promoting research-informed practice across the service

About You

You will be an experienced and reflective practitioner with a strong commitment to applying psychology to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.

Essential:

• A Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology or a Professional Master’s in Educational Psychology with Qualified Teacher Status, with current HCPC registration and evidence of ongoing CPD
• Substantial experience as an Educational Psychologist within a local authority, including experience of supporting or managing people, projects or service activity
• A high level of professional skill and knowledge in Educational Psychology, with evidence of delivering effective psychological work that supports learning, emotional wellbeing and positive outcomes
• Strong understanding of current developments in psychology, child development, education and SEND, including national and local policy affecting vulnerable children and young people
• Experience of person-centred, outcomes‑led practice, including consultation-based, systemic and Assess–Plan–Do–Review approaches
• Experience of working effectively within multi‑agency and partnership contexts, developing positive relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, sensitively and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and support others, work collaboratively as part of a team, and contribute to service improvement and new ways of working
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes

Desirable:

• Experience of contributing to service planning and development
• Experience of delivering professional supervision
• Experience of applied research
• Experience of developing or delivering commissioned work

Talk to us

We welcome informal conversations. To find out more, please contact:

• Melanie Flay, Principal EP (West) - [e-mail]
• Naina Cowell, Principal EP (East) - [e-mail]

Recruitment Timeline

Applications are reviewed as they are received, and interviews will be arranged on an ad-hoc basis-early application is encouraged.

Our Offer

• Up to 3 SPA points
• £7,000 annual market enhancement (terms apply)
• Up to £6,000 relocation package (terms apply)
• Up to 36 days annual leave
• Reimbursement of HCPC registration fees
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Excellent CPD and career development opportunities
• Salary exchange options, including additional annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme with 19% employer contribution
• Employee wellbeing support, staff networks and discounts
• Free parking and smart working environments
• Opportunities to work within a broad, integrated multi‑disciplinary team and countywide initiatives
• Regular service CPD days, learning sets, professional networking, supervision and peer support

Additional information

Disability Confident We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.