Assistant Psychologist

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Working across the county, in the community with a base in:
  • West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3YU
  • Riverside, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ
  • Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
• Salary: £35,570 per annum
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract:​​ Fixed Term​/secondment until 31 August 2028 as pre-doctorate qualification experience.

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we’re driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That’s why, when you join us as an Assistant Psychologist, you’ll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

Working under the supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist, you will support the emerging Experts at Hand model and the wider Educational Psychology Service across its statutory, non-statutory and traded work.

You will help education settings strengthen inclusive practice, early intervention and the graduated response through consultation, assessment, intervention, training and research, improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

This may include, but will not be limited to:

• Work with education, inclusion, health and other partners to embed psychological approaches.
• Gather information, observe and undertake proportionate assessments with children and young people with SEND.
• Deliver and evaluate evidence-based interventions, including academic interventions.
• Provide consultation, audits, intervention and practical support to education settings.
• Develop and deliver inclusion-focused training and implementation support.
• Communicate children and young people’s strengths and needs clearly in discussion and written reports.

This is not an exhaustive list; objectives will be agreed with your line manager through the Personal Development Review process.

You will need

Qualifications and professional memberships

• A 2:1 honours degree or above in Psychology, or an equivalent qualification that provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Values, qualities, skills and experience

We're looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people and families and who shares our commitment to inclusive, person-centred practice.

You will:

• Apply psychological knowledge and evidence-informed thinking in a practical and meaningful way.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with a range of audiences, including children, families, colleagues and partner agencies.
• Build positive working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams and services.
• Work confidently both independently and as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrate creativity, flexibility and initiative when responding to complex situations.
• Have a sound understanding of safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, and relevant legislation.
• Be reflective in your practice, open to learning, and committed to continuous improvement.

Above all, you will work in a way that embodies our WE ASPIRE values and contributes positively to the children, families and communities we serve.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Suffolk Psychology and Therapeutic Services (P&TS) is an ambitious, forward-looking service using psychology and therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes, wellbeing and belonging for children and young people.

Guided by our Inclusive Futures vision, “Altogether Now” mission and WE ASPIRE values, we take a person-centred, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. We work collaboratively with children, families, education settings and partners to strengthen early intervention, inclusion and the graduated response, as well as supporting statutory, commissioned and traded work. This places P&TS at the heart of Suffolk’s emerging Experts at Hand model, bringing psychological and therapeutic expertise closer to settings so that timely, needs-led support can be delivered where children had their needs met to learn, thrive and achieve.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Dr Jemma Carter, Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 265383 or emailing Jemma.Carter@Suffolk.gov.uk

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

1. Provide an example of how you used an outcome and solution-oriented approach to achieve positive results for a child or young person you have worked with. What strategies or approach did you use and what impact did this have for them?
2. Explain how you stay updated with current research, legislation, and developments in child and educational psychology and reflect through an example of your recent work, how you applied this, in practise.
3. Give an example of how you've contributed to developing inclusive practices in an educational or community setting. What was your role, what did you do, and what did you learn about yourself?
4. Drawing on your relevant work experience with children and young people, explain through an example how you applied your skills in building relationships with them. Consider what you did that supported this relationship and the impact this had.

Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 4 November 2026.

Interview date: 11 November 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hyrbid

About us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).