AddressThis role attracts a competitive salary for main grade EPs: Soulbury Scale A, 3 – 8 with up to 3 SPA points (existing SPA points will be transferred and starting point of A5 for newly qualified EPs) £46,525 - £56,540 per annum. SPA points 1 and 2 are automatically awarded after 1 and 2 years successful practice.
This is a full-time role and will involve a number of school visits throughout the week. Time not spent on visits is likely to be a blend of home and office-based work.
This is a joint position, with collaboration between Surrey Educational Psychology Service (EPS) and Mindworks (Surrey’s child and young person mental health alliance, led by Surrey and Boarders NHS trust). It places Educational Psychologists at the heart of a strengthening health-education partnership in Surrey. It demonstrates the significant contribution EPs play (particularly with knowledge and skills regarding social, emotional and mental health, school systems and consultation) in supporting CYP emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days’ holiday rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- London Fringe Area allowance of £916 per annum
- Essential Car User Lump Sum Allowance of £963 per annum
- Flexible working options around school core hours
- Comprehensive supervision programme including: peer supervision, regular supervision with line manager. Extensive CPD programme with 7 whole service study days, pro-rated to allow for MHST CPD across the year, development activities and opportunities to develop areas of special interest in line with the council's priorities
- Relocation package of up to £8,000 which is exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions for permanent positions
- Dedicated administrative support for the EP Service
The Surrey Educational Psychology Service
Do you want to be part of an innovative, evidence-based, and outcome-focused partnership, with excellent supervision and development opportunities?
We are a large and expanding, friendly service and our EPs tell us that our sociability, continuous professional development (CPD) and emphasis on regular meetings with peers are real strengths of the service. As part of the Council's commitment to providing early intervention we are recruiting to a number of exciting new roles working in collaboration with the School Based Needs (SBN) team which is part of Surrey and Borders Child and Young Persons mental health alliance, ‘Mindworks’, promoting whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
We are a highly valued team of Psychologists covering all maintained schools across Surrey (mainstream and specialist) and can offer a range of posts with opportunities to develop areas of specialist expertise. We have offices based in Weybridge, Redhill and Woking and we also promote flexible, hybrid working. There is a well-defined leadership team with Senior Educational Psychologists in each of the four Surrey quadrants, so support and guidance will always be on hand. We have opportunities available across Surrey, so please talk to us about your preferred location.
The EP Service is committed to promoting positive futures for all children and young people. Our focus is on the young person in their educational setting, home and community. We work collaboratively through the application of psychological theory, research and techniques with children and young people, their families and professionals to understand what is happening, develop empathy and agree effective support to enable children to thrive in their local communities. We use psychological frameworks to support those working closely with our children and young people to develop stable and supportive networks that make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
About the Surrey Educational Psychology Role
We are looking to enhance our capacity to deliver a sustainable preventative offer to schools and to strengthen our emotional wellbeing and mental health offer in partnership with health colleagues.
You will join a friendly and skilled area team providing psychological support to early years, primary, secondary and specialist settings. You will have access to a wide range of resources including our innovative 'virtual assessment room'. Consultation, co-production and person-centred planning approaches will be fundamental to all aspects of your work together with a strong belief in inclusion. You will have the opportunity to support with a range of training programmes, such as ELSA, Compassionate Schools Programme, Literacy for All and Emotion Coaching.
You will also be able to work with an Assistant Educational Psychologist to support with statutory and preventative activity, which will also give opportunities for facilitating their professional development.
The Mindworks role
Within the Mindworks’ school-based needs team you will focus on facilitating positive systemic change through supporting schools in their whole school approach to mental health and emotional well-being. To achieve this we use a consultation approach and the application of a range of psychological frameworks to understand the needs within the system and to coproduce a formulation and plan a positive way forward. You will work with school leaders to build a shared understanding of whole school need, and you will support the planning and implementation of change to benefit the lived experience of everyone in the school community.
In addition to this work with schools, we provide support to Mental Health Support Teams and their varied mental health professionals. This includes consultation, training and contribution to multi-professional meetings.
EPs working within Mindworks also collaborate with the Surrey EPS and other Local Authority partners on whole county training (Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance, Compassionate Schools Programme, Trauma Informed Schools), Senior Mental Health Lead supervision and Team Around the School work.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
- You want to work in a service committed to promoting positive futures for children and young people
- You have an example of supporting change at the whole school level
- You have a recognised qualification in Educational Psychology
- You are registered with the HCPC and have permission to work in the UK
- You have a driving licence and access to a car
We are a friendly team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about the work we do. If you feel like this could be the place to further develop your psychological skills, then please do get in touch.
Contact us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
- For more information about the specialised work of EPs with Mindworks please contact Dave Damon via email at dave.damon@SABP.nhs.uk
- For an informal discussion about roles with Surrey County Council please contact Susan Harris at susan.harris@surreycc.gov.uk
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 10th March 2024 with interviews to follow.
An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Our Values
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
