Principal Educational Psychologist

Transcription

1 Hammersmith & Fulham borough of opportunity Principal Educational Psychologist CHILDREN SERVICES Application Pack

2 Information for applicants Job Description Person Specification Criminal Records Bureau Check

3 JOB PURPOSE - Principal Educational Psychologist Salary Soulbury B and Inner London Allowance Responsible to: Head of Special Educational Needs Service, School Improvement and Standards/ Complex Needs PURPOSE OF THE POST To be responsible to the Head of Special Educational Needs Service for the efficient and effective delivery of psychological services by the Psychology in Education Service to pupils, families, schools and the wider community, and to ensure that the service continually adds value to young people and their families To promote and develop Hammersmith and Fulham s Inclusion Strategy and Strategy for Access working within the school improvement and Every Child Matters agenda To work to the Head of Special Educational Needs Service to develop the work of the Children s Services Department as the Local Authority continues to move to greater integration of services To uphold the Council s policies on equal opportunities through all aspects of the post. Main Duties The general duties which apply to all members of the Psychology in Education Service are o To provide a service of psychological consultation and advice to the LA, to schools, and early years settings and other agencies. o To assess the psychological and educational needs of children and young people and offer timely support and help to teachers,families and others as appropriate, as specified in the 1996 Education Act. o To offer psychological intervention to children and families, and to collaborate effectively with the wide range of agencies concerned with supporting individual children and families.

4 o To offer relevant specialisms in SEN and disability across the LA. o To undertake ongoing professional development and contribute to the development of practice within the psychology service and Children s services. o To facilitate and deliver in-service training to increase the capacities of schools and other agencies in meeting pupils social and learning needs. o To contribute to LA research and project work when requested. The specific duties of the Principal Educational Psychologist are: o To manage the Psychology in Education Service, ensuring the effective delivery of the service, and to plan and monitor the budget and resources of the service. o To participate as a member of the SEN Inclusion management team supporting the Head of Special Educational Needs Service in planning and reviewing the work of the LA in the identification, assessment and provision for children with a wide range of barriers to learning o To work with the Head of Special Educational Needs Service and Principal Adviser for Inclusion in developing and implementing the LA s Inclusion Strategy and Access Strategy. o To be responsible to the Head of Special Educational Needs Service for the development of the service and to ensure that training needs are identified and met. o To be responsible for psychology consultation and advice to a small number of schools. o To represent the psychology service in contributing to departmental objectives including the review of the LA s Children and Young People s Plan o To be a member of the Special Needs Assessment and Provision Team (SNAPT) and to contribute to and support the implementation of SNAPT s decisions. o To be a member of the Joint Funding Panel and to contribute to timely and transparent decision making regarding holistic provision for children and young people with SEN care and health needs

5 o To work closely with the Headteacher for the Virtual School for Looked after children on identifying needs and provision and raising standards o To take a lead in working with the Information Sharing and Assessment programme, particularly supporting the CAF developments so that high quality early support to vulnerable children and families is delivered. o To work closely with the Parent Partnership Service to ensure provision of high quality support and information for parents of children with SEN o To provide educational psychologist time to support the LEA s Portage Service particularly in supervising and supporting Portage workers o To work closely with the Early Years team on identifying and supporting young children with special educational needs, and to contribute psychological expertise to the development of Early Years provision. o To be a member of the LA s Strategic CPD Steering Group in planning the LA s programme of staff development to support inclusive practice including training for schools. o To represent the Psychology in Education Service on the CAMHS Partnership Board and support work to encourage well-being and positive mental health in schools. o To lead on certain complex SEN casework as agreed including representing the LA at SENDIST where appropriate, and responding to complaints and enquiries from families, councillors and others. o To undertake other duties as the needs of the service indicate and as negotiated with the Head of Special Educational Needs Service. Key outcomes o Psychological advice to schools, families and the LA is timely and effective. o Psychology in Education Service referral data is used to inform future professional development and time allocation.

6 o Pupils with SEN have appropriate educational psychology support which enables them to achieve better value added at all key stages. o LA policies and practices include a psychological perspective where appropriate. o Hammersmith and Fulham s Inclusion Strategy, Strategy for Access and other relevant policies are clearly communicated, owned, understood and implemented in schools and the wider community. o Effective professional development programmes to support inclusive teaching and learning strategies include support from the Psychology in Education Service. o The Psychology in Education Service is working in partnership with the Individual Progress Service, and other services such as Education Welfare, the Schools Literacy Support Team, the Sensory and Language Impairment Team and therapy services to meet targets in enabling more pupils with diverse needs to achieve their potential. o Key local issues requiring support from the Psychology in Education Service are discussed, developed and shared through the Extended school clusters. o The performance of the service is reviewed at least annually against the Quality Standards set by the DCSF and other internal standards and appropriate and timely management information on the service is available termly. o The work of the service reflects the Council s equal opportunities policies particularly as they relate to access, assessment and intervention practice.

7 SELECTION CRITERIA JOB TITLE: Principal Educational Psychologist A 1. Eligible for chartered status as an educational psychologist. 2. Five years minimum experience as an educational psychologist with three years minimum managerial responsibilities in an LA at Senior EP level. B C D E F G H I J K L Evidence of commitment, skill and overall written and oral competence in working as an educational psychology manager with children, parents, schools and the wider community. Evidence of commitment, knowledge and ability that will enable the candidate to lead a team of educational psychologists working in a diverse community, including a wide knowledge of quality assurance mechanisms. Evidence of flexibility and openness in developing methods of practice, combined with a critical appreciation of recent developments in psychological assessment, in evidence based practice and in methods of consultation with schools and other institutions. Evidence of skills relevant to the task of building and leading a team. Evidence of ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and deliver tangible outcomes. Evidence of strategic and operational thinking at corporate, Children s Services and team level. Knowledge and understanding of the changing role of LAs and ability to take a leadership role within that context. Through knowledge of current legislation and guidance related to the promotion of inclusion and special educational needs, including successful working with parents. A thorough understanding of and commitment to policies on equality of opportunity (disability, race and sex) with particular reference to their implications for the work of the Psychology in Education Service. Proven interpersonal skills in order to maintain effective relationships with colleagues in Children s Services, support services and other agencies. Ability to initiate and follow through specific project work within deadlines.

8 Criminal Records Bureau check Please be aware that the successful candidate will be required to take a Criminal Records Bureau [CRB] check. This check is necessary as the work involves dealing with or having access to children and vulnerable adults whilst undertaking normal duties.