Senior Educational Psychologist

About the team

North Somerset Educational Psychology Service is a small, supportive and close team. We look out for each other and we're passionate about what we do. Our service values are compassion, curiosity and collaboration, and they shape how we work with children, families, schools and each other.

We work across statutory, early intervention and traded work, and we’re playing a central part in North Somerset’s SEND reforms. Our Principal EP leads the Experts at Hand programme, with EPs helping to shape the model as it develops.

The Role

We’re looking for a Senior Educational Psychologist to join us on a permanent, full-time contract. You’ll be one of two Senior EPs working alongside the Principal EP, with a particular lead for practice and development. You’ll play an important part in growing the team, developing EP practice and helping us maintain high-quality statutory work.

In North Somerset, Experts at Hand has three tiers. Tier 1 is what every school provides for children with additional needs, backed by our SEND Provision Expectations and EP-developed training and resources. Tier 2 is the heart of the programme. Multidisciplinary locality teams of EPs, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, advisory teachers and parent experts work alongside school staff through consultation, coaching, supervision, modelling and training, and schools can access this support without a referral. Tier 3 offers individual assessment and formulation where Tier 2 support is in place and a question remains.

You’ll lead one of our three locality hubs, providing senior leadership for schools and partners in that area and EP professional leadership within the multidisciplinary team. Alongside this, you’ll have a key role in developing our EP workforce and practice across the service, including supporting recruitment, induction, supervision, CPD and trainee EP development.

You’ll also keep a manageable amount of your own EP practice, including link-school, statutory and Experts at Hand work, so you remain close to the work you lead. Our Impact Analyst provides data, evaluation and administrative support, helping us understand and demonstrate the difference our work makes.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead one Experts at Hand locality hub and provide EP professional leadership within its multidisciplinary team
• Lead recruitment, induction, supervision and CPD across the EP team, including trainee EP placements
• Line manage a group of EPs and the Specialist Provision Support Team Leader
• Manage statutory work allocation, EHC needs assessment timelines and compliance
• Support the development of Tier 1 and the service’s post-16 offer
• Maintain your own EP practice and contribute to service planning, policy and evaluation

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

This role is open to experienced EPs ready to step up and to current Senior EPs. We want to hear from educational psychologists who believe in inclusion, enjoy developing others and want to help build a new model of SEND support from the ground up. We’re looking for the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria:

• A good honours degree in psychology (or equivalent recognised by the BPS), a recognised postgraduate qualification in educational psychology, and HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist (educational)
• Experience of leadership within an educational psychology service, including supervision or supporting the professional development of other practitioners
• Experience of providing high-quality psychological services, including statutory work, to children, young people and families with diverse needs
• Strong knowledge of relevant education, SEND and safeguarding legislation, guidance and policy, alongside an understanding of the current direction of SEND reform.
• Commitment to consultation and systemic approaches that build the skill and confidence of school staff
• The ability to manage competing priorities, including statutory timelines, and make sound decisions under pressure

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of recruitment, induction or supervision of trainee EPs
• Experience of leading multidisciplinary or systemic work with schools
• Experience of using data and evidence to evaluate the impact of services

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• A generous 29 days' annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years' service, plus bank holidays
• The option to buy up to 10 extra days' annual leave each year
• A varied workload, with statutory work making up no more than 50% of your allocation
• Six CPD days a year and a healthy CPD budget, including leadership development
• Monthly one-to-one supervision with the Principal EP, plus peer and group supervision
• Our Impact Analyst supports us with data, evaluation and administration, helping us understand and demonstrate the impact of our work.
• A compact county, so less time driving between schools, and good parking at our Weston-super-Mare base
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes
• A dedicated in-house Wellbeing Team
• Inclusive staff groups, including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage) and Young Staff Forums

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Guy Clayton, Principal Educational Psychologist at guy.clayton@n-somerset.gov.uk or 07811 307321.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: 01/12/2026

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.