JOB DESCRIPTION SENIOR SPECIALIST EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION SENIOR SPECIALIST EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST Job Title Responsible to Key Internal Contacts Key External Contacts Senior Specialist Educational Psychologist Head of Professional & Clinical Services or through delegation to the Clinical Lead of the designated Professional & Clinical Multidisciplinary Team. The post is located within a designated service and the post holder is required to ensure their role delivery and activity meets the agreed expectations of the Head of Service. Head of Service & Senior Leadership team. Other staff within the Clinical and Professional team Staff in other departments within the Centre Staff in other Centres in the Region Central Office Staff Service User relatives, advocates and others Placing Authorities and Service Providers Registration, Regulatory and Inspection bodies Local Services Statutory, Voluntary and Community Neighbours JOB PURPOSE To provide a specialist educational psychology service to the (Designated) Service in Options. To work collaboratively with the service, promoting the education, well being and best interests of the students, residents and service users and the effectiveness of the service in achieving its aims and objectives. To undertake all aspects of Educational Psychology duties, working within the ethical framework provided by the rules of professional conduct. To provide advice, information and training to staff, other members of the multi-disciplinary support/ clinical team, commissioners and other agencies regarding complex communication issues relevant to autism and associated conditions including individuals who presenting with behaviour which challenges. To provide input to the Regional Clinical Teams; supporting Psychological practice across the OG and contributing to the professional development of staff, research and dissemination of understanding, knowledge and good, evidencebased practice. KEY TASK AREAS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Professional and Clinical To be responsible for the effective and co-ordinated delivery of educational psychology to the (Designated) Service. To focus on children and young people in the primary, secondary and further education sector that are receiving residential services and have complex learning difficulties, particularly those with autism but also those with more general learning difficulties and those who have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, many who present with patterns of behaviours that challenge service and carers. To work collaboratively as an Educational Psychologist within multi-disciplinary and multi-agency frameworks to ensure that the needs of children, young people and their parents/carers are met by providing support to assess, consult and intervene positively for children, young people and adults in the service using ethical approaches. To work as a specialist practitioner, within the designated service to provide advice, consultative support, information and training to staff, other members of the multi-disciplinary support/ clinical team, commissioners and other agencies regarding issues relevant to educational psychology and a specialist area such as autism or behavioural, social and emotional Difficulties (including associated conditions and in particular behaviour that challenges). Page 1 of 5 Revised August 2015

2 Staff To provide input to Options, supporting educational psychology practice across the group and contributing to the professional development of staff and to research and to the dissemination of understanding, knowledge and good practice. To work with own caseload, to undertake direct intervention and to provide specialist advice, information and education to the staff, to other members of the multi-disciplinary support team and to commissioners and other agencies. To support the on-going evaluation and planning of interventions to support identified and emerging special educational needs and psychological needs of students, residents and other users of the service. To provide input to the (Designated) Service and the Regional Clinical Teams; supporting Educational Psychology practice and contributing to the professional development of staff, research and dissemination of understanding, knowledge and good, evidence- based practice. To offer training, workshops, modelling and consultation to staff within the services to support them to effectively carry out their role. To provide expert advice, consultation and training to other members of the multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the development of effective and properly evaluated ongoing staff development and in-service training for all staff. To ensure that Appropriate records are maintained ensuring compliance with the agreed record keeping systems of Options, that where appropriate, informed consent to involvement is obtained and documented in accordance with Options procedures. To participate and take the lead as required in multi-disciplinary meetings. To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to the groups service users, including every child matters, (Every Disabled Child Matters, Wales), Valuing People Now, Mental Capacity Act etc. To promote and participate in evidence-based practice. To comply with Options arrangements for continuing professional development and in particular to ensure that this meets guidance and requirements as described by the BPS, AEP and HPC. To work as an effective team member of local and regional clinical teams, taking account of service policies, procedures and guidance from the BPS, AEP and HPC. To undertake audit and research following OG policy and procedures with due regard for national legislation. To work as a key member of the multi disciplinary team encompassing the education, residential and professional & clinical services. Maintain effective contacts with internal and external colleagues, both within Options and in other organisations. To deliver services in line with the present legislative frameworks such as the outcomes of Every Child Matters, Aiming High for Disabled Children and/or Valuing People & Valuing People Now. Work effectively as a member of the Professional & Clinical Service in Options supporting project development for the continual improvement and maintenance of high quality services to children, young people and adults as well as parents/carers and other agencies. This will involve liaison with other colleagues within Options, contributing to working groups, working with others to provide an applied educational psychology perspective on joint work and supporting the Head of Professional & Clinical Services in advising on policy and procedural development. Page 2 of 5 Revised August 2015

3 To ensure that the Service Head Registered Manager and Head Teacher within the (Designated) Service are aware of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to the group s service users, including Every Child Matters, (Every Disabled Child Matters, Wales), The Health and Social Care Act 2008, Valuing People Now, The Mental Capacity Act etc. To contribute to the professional training of Assistant and trainee Educational Psychologists and other students as appropriate. Quality To promote the highest standards of teaching, learning, achievement, wellbeing and inclusion for those who access the group s services. General Ensure awareness that the service operates to agreed budgets and contribute to keeping within these budgets as instructed. Exercises vigilance in respect of Health and Safety and promptly report all hazards and/or remedying them where appropriate. Undertake all duties in a manner calculated to minimise or avoid unnecessary risks, personally or to others. Operates at all times in accordance with company policies and procedures, with particular reference to Safeguarding, Child Protection, Whistleblowing, Complaints and Representations and Behaviour Policies. To actively participate in internal and external CPD training and development programmes. Participate in team meetings, supervisions and annual reviews in accordance with Company policy and the standards set by the Regulatory Body. Work to promote the centre as a valued, professional asset within its community and also to promote a culture that individuals and staff conduct themselves at all times in a manner that reinforces this image. Ensure that all actions are in the interests of the Service Users and the Company. To work to and exhibit the values of the Company and maintain standards of behaviour in accordance with Company policies, procedures and practices. To carry out any other reasonable and relevant duties as required within Options. PERSON SPECIFICATION Page 3 of 5 Revised August 2015

4 SENIOR SPECIALIST EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST Experience Essential Desirable Relevant experience as an Educational Psychologist Experience of working as a specialist EP Experience of working with children and young adults in primary, secondary and transition settings Responsibility in a service for an aspect of specialist educational psychology practise such as autism or Emotional, Social and Behavioural Difficulties Experience in applying specialist approaches (such as TEACCH and PECS) in a school or college setting Working with children & young people with Autism or Emotional, Social and Behavioural Difficulties (depending on post) Experience of working within residential services for children and young people Experience of developing and delivering training for a range of audiences including other agencies and colleagues Experience of receiving professional supervision Experience of providing professional supervision for colleagues and/or EPiTs or Assistant Educational Psychologists Experience of undertaking appraisal and planning CPD for less experienced staff Skills, Knowledge and Aptitudes Understanding the key issues facing education and its relevance to Educational Psychology High level of understanding of successful practice in meeting the additional needs of children and young people Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory guidance Well established understanding of a broad range of psychological assessment techniques Understanding of the National Curriculum and School Management In depth knowledge of trends and best practice in an area of specialist educational psychology practise such as Autism or Behaviour, Emotional and Social Difficulties In depth knowledge of a range of appropriate interventions (relevant to the client group) And an ability to compare and contrast relative benefits Good working knowledge of the frameworks that apply to residential services for children and young people Knowledge of models of learning and development together with how these impact on the education of children, young people Good knowledge and understanding of the meaning of adult learning, delivering training, supervision and mentoring within a range of situations Awareness of the complexities involved in engaging positively with children, young people and adults and their families Understanding of the roles of other professionals and the opportunities and challenges Page 4 of 5 Revised August 2015

5 working in a multi-disciplinary framework offers Ability to analyse, make decisions, negotiate and work within a problem solving framework The ability to be flexible, adaptable and demonstrate tolerance in a wide range of circumstances in order to meet competing priorities and to coordinate conflicting demands and roles Ability to make decisions, organise and prioritise including the management of demand and capacity To show sensitive working practice at all levels, including an individual and organisational level as a reflective practitioner Demonstrates the ability to be a good team member and assume leadership responsibilities when and where appropriate leading projects or working groups Effective communication skills, verbal and written Good presentation skills Good IT skills The ability to be supportive and able to engage proactively in supervision Qualifications and Training Doctorate in Educational Psychology (or equivalent) HPC registered Willingness to work towards further qualifications as required Other Commitment to the values of the organisation Full driving licence and access to a car Page 5 of 5 Revised August 2015