Job Introduction
Milton Keynes Educational Psychology Service is looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Educational Psychologist to contribute to our new leadership team. We welcome applications from candidates who are keen to take a lead on service developments and project work, as well as contributing towards local authority-wide systemic work.
The team works as part of wider Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services to support children and young people, educational settings and families across the city. We are committed to early intervention and preventative working, including a focus on training and project work. We are also proud to offer a dedicated psychological consultation service for schools and settings. Our aim is to ensure that psychology is accessible for schools and settings, families, and children and young people across Milton Keynes.
We are a skilled team where diverse psychological approaches and interests are valued. We are supported by current technology; invest in CPD opportunities, and we prioritise quality professional supervision. We use a clear allocation system for statutory work which allows Educational Psychologists to manage their workload and retain work-life balance.
Main Responsibility
- To support the Principal Educational Psychologist in their role, contributing to decision making, service planning and strategy.
- To undertake line management of Educational psychologists, Psychology Assistants and/or Trainee Educational Psychologists, including monitoring and reviewing performance.
- To promote and facilitate partnership working, early intervention and integrated local solutions, applying psychology to enhance the learning and development of children and young people.
- To provide psychological advice to staff within Children’s Services and other agencies, including working closely with colleagues in other SEND teams.
- To provide a high-quality psychological service to children and families, schools and other partners.
- To contribute to delivering positive outcomes for children and young people through creative application of psychology. This includes casework, consultation, projects and wider service initiatives
The Ideal Candidate
We are seeking applicants who are flexible and self-motivated; who are able to work collaboratively with a range of agencies and settings, and who are able to take a lead role in future team developments.
We are looking for candidates with the following:
- A doctorate or post-graduate qualification in educational psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society.
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- A high level of professional knowledge and competence as an Educational Psychologist, including at least 4 years’ experience in the application of psychological knowledge and skills, and commitment to own development.
Please contact Victoria Courtis (Interim SEND Lead) or Elspeth Davison (Senior Leadership Educational Psychologist) for an informal chat about the role on 07920 147126 or at education.psychology@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
