Job Description
Acorn Psychology Services Ltd
Assistant Educational Psychologist Job Description and Personal Specification
Please submit a cover letter alongside your CV outlining why you are a qualified and suitable candidate for this position. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Please note: Our office is based in Blackburn (BB1) but the successful candidate will complete visits in various schools across Lancashire and will also be expected to work remotely.
Interviews will take place in person at our offices in Blackburn on the 22nd May 2023.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Starting 1st September 2023
This is a term time position with paid school holidays (as per Lancashire County Council).
NB. Candidates will NOT be considered unless they are able to fulfill the minimum criteria as stated below:
- A minimum of an upper second-class degree in Psychology.
- A minimum of 6 months full-time experience of working with children, young people and / or families in a supportive capacity. Full time means 37 hours a week or the equivalent if part-time.
- A desire to progress onto an Educational and Child Psychology doctoral training course in the future.
- A full, valid driving license, and own/drive their own car for travel across the pan-Lancashire area.
Duties and Responsibilities
- To work directly alongside an Educational Psychologist and support them in appropriate areas of service delivery.
- To promote the use of psychology to improve the educational outcomes and emotional well-being of children and young people.
- Under the direction and supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist to work collaboratively with, and provide support to, children and young people with special educational needs and the adults working with them.
- Under the direction and supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist to help in the assessment of children and young people’s needs and the implementation of strategies. To complete assessment and consultation activities, and report writing.
- To assist Educational Psychologists in the design, collection and analysis of outcome measures following a piece of EP work such as an action plan, intervention or training.
- To assist Educational Psychologists in the delivery of training.
- To work on research, service development and/or longer-term interventions or project work directly with staff and with children and young people, as required. Particularly, the delivery of therapeutic interventions and group work. Such pieces of work will be led by a qualified Educational Psychologist and training and supervision will be provided.
- To keep accurate, up to date records of all work relating to children and young people. To ensure the service’s guidance on secure storage and use of data to maintain confidentiality and observe data protection are fully understood and followed. It will be necessary to work with information technology and associated systems in accordance with the services procedures.
- To ensure compliance with the service’s child protection and safeguarding procedures.
- To ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including equality and antidiscrimination legislation.
- To keep up to date with developments in the field of Educational Psychology; and with relevant legislation and developments regarding education, particularly for children and young people who have special educational needs.
- To develop skills and knowledge through participation in the process of supervision with an Educational Psychologist; through participation in service team meetings; and through peer supervision. To undertake further training as part of continuing professional development including participation at the service’s annual professional development events and the Assistant Educational Psychologists development sessions.
- To ensure the service’s guidance on health and safety are fully understood and followed.
- To carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities within the overall function, appropriate with the level of responsibility of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Skills Essential or Desirable
CV – Curriculum Vitae
I – Interview
CL – Cover Letter
- An ability to apply a child-centered approach and philosophy. Essential CL/I
- Effective verbal and written communication skills (including competence in basic IT) and the ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders. Essential CL/I
- An ability to build rapport with children, families and professionals. Essential CL/I
- An ability to work both collaboratively with colleagues and independently, whilst understanding own limitations. Essential CL/I
- Effective personal organisational skills and ability to prioritise and work to a deadline. Essential CL/I
- An ability to travel across the pan-Lancashire area to complete duties as specified. Essential
Knowledge
- Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding procedures. Essential I
- An awareness of English education systems and legislation, in particular, that which pertains to additional / special educational needs. Essential CL/I
- An awareness of theories in psychology and how they can be used to understand presenting issues in schools and other settings. Desirable CL/I
- An understanding of, and commitment to, anti-oppressive practice and equal opportunities. Essential I
- An awareness of social, cultural and familial factors which may impact children and young people’s learning and development. Essential I
- Knowledge of how to apply psychology, in order to support children, schools and families to achieve positive outcomes. Desirable CL
Experience
- A minimum of 6 months full-time experience of working with children, young people and / or families in a supportive capacity. Full time means 37 hours a week or the equivalent if part time. Essential CV
- Experience of working within education services. Desirable CV
Qualifications
- British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited undergraduate programme or conversion degree programme in Psychology – a minimum of a second upper-class degree or 'Merit' is required. Documentary evidence will be required.
Other
- Eligible for an enhanced DBS. Essential I
- An intention to progress onto the professional Doctorate training programme in Educational and Child Psychology to gain charted status under the HCPC to practice as a qualified Educational Psychologist. Essential I
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: From £24,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Schedule:
Supplemental pay types:
Application question(s):
- Do you have a desire to progress onto an Educational Psychology doctoral programme?
- Do you have at least 6 months full-time (or equivalent) working with children, young people or families in some capacity (preferably in education)
- Do you have a second upper-class or first-class degree in Psychology?
Licence/Certification:
- drivers licence and access to a vehicle (required)
Work Location: One location
Application deadline: 01/05/2023
Expected start date: 01/09/2023