Principle Educational Psychologist

Job Introduction

Job Title: Principal Educational Psychologist

Salary: £65,423 - £68,884

Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire (hybrid working) Some countywide travel required.

Closing Date: 5th July 2026

Interviews: 17th July 2026

Principal Educational Psychologist - Lincolnshire

This is a rare opportunity to step into a genuinely influential leadership role that will help shape how Educational Psychology is delivered across a whole local area.

Lead. Influence. Make a difference.

At Lincolnshire County Council, we are changing how Educational Psychology supports children and young people with SEND and we’re looking for a Principal Educational Psychologist to play a central role in that work.

This is a role with real scope. You’ll be working at scale, leading and managing an existing large and evolving commissioned service, as well as helping us build a model that is sustainable, high-quality and focused on making a difference where it matters most.

Lincolnshire is at a key point in its SEND journey, and we are looking to strengthen how we deliver:

• high-quality, timely statutory advice and EHCP support
• consistent, high-quality evidence-informed psychological practice
• a more resilient and sustainable EP workforce

In this role, you will:

• Lead and oversee a large, commissioned EP service, ensuring quality, consistency and impact across all activity
• Shape and deliver a new hybrid model, building internal capacity while reducing reliance on agency provision over time
• Drive a strong focus on quality, standards and improvement, helping to strengthen outcomes for children and young people
• Act as a key strategic lead across SEND, influencing how services are developed locally

This is a role where your influence will be visible and where your leadership will directly shape practice across the system.

What you’ll be part of

You’ll join a SEND leadership team that is focused, honest about the challenges, and committed to improvement. Our priorities are clear:

• improving the quality of EHCPs securing strong outcomes for children and young people.
• strengthening partnership working across education, health and care
• building a more consistent and effective SEND system
• preparing for national SEND reforms

We are building on strong foundations and moving forward with a clear focus on developing a more sustainable, high-quality service that improves outcomes for children and young people with this role central to that ambition.

What we are looking for

We’re looking for someone who brings both professional credibility and practical leadership.

You will:

• Be a qualified, HCPC-registered Educational Psychologist
• Have experience at a senior or principal level, leading services or change
• Be confident working across complex systems and managing commissioned delivery models
• Care about quality and getting things right, not just getting things done
• Be able to work alongside others, influencing and supporting rather than directing from a distance

Above all, we’re looking for someone who is grounded, thoughtful and committed to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Why Lincolnshire

• A role with real influence and visibility
• The chance to design and shape a county-wide EP model
• Strong alignment with wider SEND improvement priorities
• Flexible, hybrid working

Along with a competitive salary we are offering:

• A Contributory pension
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
• Flexible working policies
• Career progression opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more

Further details of the benefits of working for Lincolnshire County Council can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure.

Interested?

If you’re ready for a role where you can lead, shape and make a lasting impact, and would like an informal discussion regards this role please contact Katie Marsden, Head of SEND, by emailing katie.marsden@lincolnshire.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE: It is imperative that your personal statement clearly states why you have applied, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role as set out in the Job Description (attached on LCC jobs Site) and what you feel you can bring to this role, the team and the wider County Council.

Please refer to our Job Information Pack here to support you in your application.

A relocation package may be considered for the successful candidate. More details relating to our Relocation Policy can be found here.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. Please also note: once an application is submitted it is final and cannot be amended. If you withdraw your application, it cannot be reinstated and you will not be able to submit another application for that vacancy. If you have an issue with your submitted application, please contact recruitment@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council 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.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Our values – collaborative, adaptable, eco-conscious, supportive, and responsible – guide everything we do. We’re looking for candidates who share these values and bring them to life in their work, helping us build strong teams and make a real difference in the communities we serve.