Whsf - Educational Psychologist

William Henry Smith School; Calverley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

William Henry Smith Foundation is seeking an Educational Psychologist to influence practice across education and residential settings for children and young people aged 5–25 with SEMH, SEND and neurodiversity. You will lead on trauma‑aware approaches, contribute to complex casework and support multi‑agency collaboration.

The role requires HCPC registration, Doctorate in Educational Psychology or HCPC‑recognised equivalent, and 2–5 years post‑qualification experience.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Educational Psychology or HCPC-recognised equivalent.
• Current HCPC Practitioner Psychologist registration.
• Chartered Psychologist Status with BPS or eligible.
• 2–5 years post-qualification Educational Psychologist experience.
• Experience with SEMH, SEND, neurodiversity in children/young people.
• Strong knowledge of child development and psychological theory.
• Aligned with Foundation values and mission.

Responsibilities

• Provide Educational Psychology services within the Foundation and external services.
• Plan and deliver psychological assessments, consultation and intervention to support learning, behaviour and wellbeing.
• Lead on professional oversight to the Health, Therapies and Families Team (HTFTs) through training and supervision.
• Develop traumainformed, psychologically informed practice across the Foundation.
• Adhere to professional and regulatory standards (HCPC, BPS).
• Conduct psychological and educational assessments and contribute to EHCPs/IEPs.
• Collaborate with families, education staff, health professionals and social care to implement interventions.
• Maintain confidential records in line with safeguarding and data protection requirements.

Skills

HCPC registration

Doctorate in Educational Psychology

Chartered Psychologist (BPS)

Autonomous practice

SEMH & SEND experience

Child development knowledge

Education

Doctorate in Educational Psychology

HCPC registration (Practitioner Psychologist)

Job description

Educational Psychologist

Applicants must be eligible to practise using the protected title \"Educational Psychologist\" in the UK and hold current HCPC registration. Qualifications such as a master’s degree in educational psychology without professional registration, general psychology degrees, teaching qualifications, counselling psychology qualifications, clinical psychology qualifications, or research doctorates alone do not meet this requirement unless they form part of a qualification route recognised by the HCPC for registration as an Educational Psychologist.

Location: William Henry Smith Foundation - all sites

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Salary: NJC Scale 43 – 48 (Salary based on 35 hours per week, 39-weeks term-time and 3 weeks holiday cover (105 hours) Actual: £50,165.12 - £55,424.20. (Total: 48 weeks per year). £54,495.00 - £60,208.00 FTE)

Purpose of the role

Are you an Educational Psychologist looking for a role where you can truly influence lives, shape practice and lead meaningful change across a forward-thinking organisation?

At the William Henry Smith Foundation, you will work as part of a highly respected multidisciplinary team, supporting children and young people aged 5–25 with complex SEMH needs, SEND, trauma and neurodiversity. This is a unique opportunity to work across both education and residential settings, embedding trauma-aware and psychologically informed approaches at every level.

In this role, you will combine strategic leadership with hands‑on practice — influencing safeguarding, contributing to complex casework, working closely with families and multi‑agency partners, and shaping innovative responses to emerging challenges such as digital and online risks. You’ll also play a key role in developing staff, driving service improvement and ensuring every child and young person experiences safety, belonging and success.

If you are a collaborative, reflective practitioner who is passionate about improving outcomes and leading positive change, we would love to hear from you. Join us and help create environments where children and young people feel understood, valued and empowered to achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide Educational Psychology services within the Foundation and as part of an external services offer


2. Plan and deliver psychological assessment, consultation and intervention, offering advice to support learning, behaviour and wellbeing

Leadership

1. Offer professional support and oversight to the Health, Therapies and Families Team (HTFTs) through consultation, training, supervision and reflective practice


2. Lead on the development and delivery of psychologically informed, trauma‑aware and inclusive practice across the Foundation

Professional

1. Adhere to professional and regulatory body standards (e.g., HCPC, BPS)

Assessment, Collaborative Planning and Evaluation

1. Conduct psychological and educational assessments with children, young people and families


2. Contribute to EHCPs, IEPs and personalised learning plans, ensuring psychological and educational recommendations support access to learning

Collaboration and Advocacy

1. Work collaboratively with children, families, education staff, health professionals and social care teams to develop effective, evidence‑based interventions


2. Liaise with external agencies to support access to appropriate services and resources

Documentation, Communication and Reporting

1. Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with safeguarding, GDPR and data protection requirements

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

1. Holds a Doctorate in Educational Psychology (or equivalent qualification recognised by the HCPC)


2. Has current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist)


3. Holds Chartered Psychologist Status with the British Psychologist (BPS) or eligibility to obtain this


4. Has significant post‑qualification experience as an Educational Psychologist, typically demonstrated though around 2-5 years relevant practice, with evidence of the ability to work autonomously and provide specialist psychologist advice


5. Has experience of working with children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, neurodiversity and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)


6. Has excellent knowledge of child and adolescent development, learning, emotional wellbeing and psychological theory


7. Has a strong understanding of SEMH, development trauma, attachment, neurodiversity and SEND


8. Is Personally aligned with our values and committed to our mission.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended 2013)

Posts which involve substantial access to children are exempt from provisions contained within this Act under which the job applicants are entitled to withhold information about any previous criminal background which is either unspent or would otherwise be considered ‘spent’ under the terms of the Act. However, changes to the legislation in 2013 mean that spent convictions may be protected and do not have to be disclosed to prospective employers. Employers cannot take protected offences into account when making employment decisions. If the job for which you have applied involves substantial access to children and you have been shortlisted for the post, you will be provided with a form on which you will be asked to disclose any relevant previous criminal background. We will provide more information on protected offences at that stage. If you are the successful applicant you will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service disclosure & we will also check the DBS barred list (children). Failure to complete this form will result in your application not proceeding any further. The possession of a criminal record will not automatically debar you from consideration for the post for which you have applied. Any information given will be treated as confidential and will only be used in relation to the post for which you have applied.