Lead Educational Psychologist

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town, Western Cape, seeks a Lead Educational Psychologist to head student support services across a network of educational institutions. The role involves overseeing psychological wellbeing, developing psycho-educational programs, and guiding staff, parents, and educators.

The successful candidate will have a doctoral or master's degree in Educational Psychology, registration, and extensive post-qualification leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Master's or Doctorate in Educational Psychology with registration.
• Minimum 8 years post-qualification experience in educational psychology, with at least 3 years in leadership/supervision.
• Extensive experience in psycho-educational assessments and therapeutic interventions.
• In-depth knowledge of child development, learning theories, and behavioral management.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with psychological assessment tools and diagnostic software.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the educational psychology team, providing supervision and professional development.
• Design, implement, and evaluate psycho-educational assessment tools and interventions.
• Provide individual and group counseling services to students experiencing emotional, behavioral, or learning challenges.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify learning disabilities, developmental delays, and emotional difficulties.
• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and external specialists to develop and implement support plans.
• Develop and deliver workshops and training sessions for staff and parents on relevant psychological and educational topics.
• Contribute to the development of school policies and strategies related to student well-being and inclusive education.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of assessments, interventions, and client progress.
• Stay current with research and best practices in educational psychology and related fields.
• Advocate for the psychological needs of students within the educational setting.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Report writing

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Educational psychology expertise

Education

Master's or Doctorate in Educational Psychology

Tools

Psycho-educational assessment tools

Diagnostic software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an accomplished Lead Educational Psychologist to spearhead their student support services in Cape Town, Western Cape . This pivotal role involves overseeing the psychological well-being and developmental support for students across various age groups within our educational network. The Lead Educational Psychologist will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive psycho-educational programs, conducting assessments, providing counseling, and offering expert guidance to students, parents, and educators. This position demands a highly skilled professional with extensive experience in child and adolescent psychology, learning difficulties, and behavioral interventions. You will play a crucial part in ensuring a nurturing and supportive educational environment that addresses the unique needs of each student, promoting their overall growth and academic success. The role requires strong leadership capabilities and a commitment to evidence-based practices in educational psychology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the educational psychology team, providing supervision and professional development.
• Design, implement, and evaluate psycho-educational assessment tools and interventions.
• Provide individual and group counseling services to students experiencing emotional, behavioral, or learning challenges.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify learning disabilities, developmental delays, and emotional difficulties.
• Collaborate closely with teachers, parents, and external specialists to develop and implement support plans.
• Develop and deliver workshops and training sessions for staff and parents on relevant psychological and educational topics.
• Contribute to the development of school policies and strategies related to student well-being and inclusive education.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of assessments, interventions, and client progress.
• Stay current with research and best practices in educational psychology and related fields.
• Advocate for the psychological needs of students within the educational setting.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or Doctorate in Educational Psychology or a closely related field.
• Registration with the relevant professional body (e.g., HPCSA).
• A minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience in educational psychology, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Extensive experience in conducting psycho-educational assessments and providing therapeutic interventions.
• In-depth knowledge of child development, learning theories, and behavioral management strategies.
• Strong understanding of the South African education system and relevant legislation.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven leadership and team management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using psychological assessment tools and diagnostic software.

Benefits

This leadership position offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience and expertise. The role comes with significant professional autonomy and the opportunity to influence educational practices at a strategic level in Cape Town . Our client provides excellent opportunities for continued professional growth, access to resources, and a supportive network of colleagues. You will be part of an organization dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of young people.