JOB DESCRIPTION. GRADE: Soulbury EPS B Scale points 5 8 (+3 SPA points). School s and Young People s Services, Pupils Services

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION POST TITLE: Senior Educational Psychologist GRADE: Soulbury EPS B Scale points 5 8 (+3 SPA points). SERVICE AREA: Children s Services DIVISION: School s and Young People s Services, Pupils Services UNIT: Educational Psychology Service (EPS) REPORTS TO: Principal Educational Psychologist (Lisa Crispin) MANAGES/SUPERVISES: Maingrade Educational Psychologists PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION The Senior Educational Psychologist will have a key responsibility for management and borough-wide development of the Educational Psychology Service for children and young people within the framework of an Equal Opportunities policy. The Senior Educational Psychologist will contribute to the development of the EPS within requirements of the changes in legislation following the Children and Families Act 2014, the development of the Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), Keyworking, and the LA local offer. The Senior Educational Psychologist will take a strategic role and have particular responsibility for monitoring and improving on the quality of service provided by the Educational Psychology Service and for developing special projects agreed with the Principal Educational Psychologist. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Senior Educational Psychologist will be expected to: 1. Safeguard and promote the welfare of children 2. Promote a safe culture for raising concerns including whistle blowing 3. Monitor the safeguarding responsibilities performance and training of the team members they manage 1

2 4. Undertake regular child protection training at a level commensurate with the role 5. Develop the skills and competence of staff to use the common core of skills and knowledge effectively 6. Facilitate links and cooperation with agencies to deliver coordinated and effective services as part of a multiagency approach 7. Promote and monitor the implementation and use of the CAF and role of Lead Professional within the EPS as part of a system- wide approach to delivering children s services 8. Provide effective service delivery so that staff are able to fulfil their role in ensuring children and young people can reach their outcomes 9. Take responsibility for the management of staffing and staff development within the EPS. This will include the selection, appointment, direction, supervision and appraisal of Educational Psychologists, including disciplinary matters, making training provisions, advice and support available as required in consultation and liaison with the Principal Educational Psychologist 10. Ensure that the service carries out its statutory obligations with regard to identification and assessment of pupils with special educational needs within the timescales stipulated 11. Ensure the Educational Psychology Service s provision of high quality Psychological Advice to the Authority in respect of children with special educational needs 12. Develop the preventative role of the EPS, including the provision of Service Level Agreements with schools and other institutions 13. Contribute to the formulation and implementation of London Borough of Islington s policies in areas of raising achievement and special educational needs, and behaviour and attendance 14. Liaise closely with officers within the London Borough of Islington and other agencies as appropriate to ensure a coherent and responsive delivery of services to children and young people with special educational needs 15. Deliver Educational Psychology Services to children and young people by offering consultation and advice to schools, the Early Years Centres and Pupil Referral Units on problem clarification and strategies for individuals and groups of children with special educational needs 2

3 16. Advise and support school staff developing whole school policies for raising achievement, special educational needs, and behaviour and attendance 17. Support the EPS in providing training/re-training for teachers 18. Provide advice to SEN co-ordinators on ways of supporting teachers, helping them to devise teaching and management strategies for individuals and groups of children with special educational needs and the recording of these needs 19. Work with children and young people and their parents / carers in order to provide outcomes based assessment, description of needs, intervention and evaluation 20. Attend regular school planning and review meetings with Head Teachers and/or SEN Co-ordinator 21. Advise the LA on the severity and/or complexity of the child s special educational needs 22. Liaise with other psychologists, officers, school improvement officers, teachers and other school staff to promote the effective and efficient use of resources 23. Evaluate and support the work of mainstream schools in providing for pupils with special educational needs and monitor that the full range of school based support and LA resourced additional provision is provided. Provide advice to the LA as to the progress of the child and the appropriateness of the support programme 24. Provide detailed and contextual psychological advice as part of the multi-professional assessment (including classroom observation and discussion with parents/carers). This will include work with staff to break down activities into a series of small and achievable steps for pupils who have marked learning difficulties 25. Monitor pupils with statements/ EHCPs in mainstream schools within and outside of the borough, attend annual reviews, ensure that realistic targets are set and monitored, complete statutory re-assessments as required and make recommendations to the authority regarding the appropriateness of the provision 26. Consult with parents/carers and other professionals, including private psychologists, who have contributed to statutory assessments and review procedures so that a comprehensive and detailed definition of need and action plan can be drawn up 27. On behalf of the LA, provide advice to school and parent when a parental request for statutory assessment has not been agreed 3

4 28. Maintain adequate records consistent with confidentiality and proper professional practice 29. Implement the London Borough of Islington s policies and administrative procedures for special educational needs 30. Deputise for the Principal Educational Psychologist as required 31. Such other minor and/or non-recurring duties, appropriate to the post, as directed ADDITIONAL: To use and assist others in the use of information technology systems to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner. To achieve agreed service outcomes and outputs, and personal appraisal targets, as agreed by the line manager. To undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars and other events designed to improve communication and assist with the effective development of the post and post holder. To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the council s commitment to customer service excellence and ensure compliance with the customer care standards. To be committed to the Council s core values of public service, quality, equality and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in the way duties are carried out. To ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other legislation. To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation. At all times to carry out responsibilities/duties within the framework of the Council's Dignity for all Policy. (Equal Opportunities Policy). Post holder Declaration Name Signed: Date: 4

5 PERSON SPECIFICATION The person specification is a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the job. It has been used to draw up the advert and will also be used in the short-listing and interview process for this post. You should demonstrate on your application form how you meet each of the following essential criteria. Please ensure that your address each one of the criteria as this will be used to assess your suitability for the post. SERVICE AREA: Children s Services POST TITLE: Senior Educational Psychologist DIVISION: Pupil s Services UNIT: Educational Psychology GRADE: Soulbury EPS B Scale points 5 8 (+3 SPA points). E1 REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE * Have completed a recognised post-graduate qualification in Educational Psychology at Masters or Doctorate level. E2 Substantial proven experience of work as an Educational Psychologist. A E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 E8 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITY Knowledge and understanding of pan London Child Protection procedures and Working Together to Safeguard children. Ability to work in accordance with national and local child protection and safe guarding policies and procedures. Knowledge of national, corporate and departmental policies and procedures on confidentiality and the management and sharing of information. Up to date knowledge of the Children and Families Act 2014 and other relevant legislation with particular reference to the changing SEN legislation and its implications for EP practice, along with an ability to combine and apply strategic guidance with practice. Ability to manage, monitor and evaluate the Educational Psychology Service within the context of delegated budgets and new legislative requirements. Effective leadership skills in implementing a training, staff development and appraisal programme needed to carry out the duties of the post. A demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development and regular supervision. E9 Ability to supervise and support others, including trainee EPs. E10 Ability to deliver INSET to a range of audiences. A 5

6 E11 E12 E13 E14 E15 E16 E17 E18 E19 E20 E21 Commitment to and strong interest in participating in projects, developments and making contributions to research initiatives, including up to date knowledge of research methods. Ability to monitor, evaluate, advise and report on the deployment of special educational needs resources. Ability to work with individuals, small groups and organisations particularly emphasising preventative, evidence based applications of psychology. Excellent interpersonal skills and problem solving abilities in dealing with the management of change and conflict situations. Highly developed curriculum based and norm referenced assessment and report writing skills, including the ability to describe curriculum needs, the effectiveness of support strategies already undertaken and the implications for the school and LA regarding the efficient and effective use of resources. Ability to work effectively as part of multi-disciplinary forums, i.e. health and social care, including work with post 16 provision. Ability to work in partnership with parents/carers, children and young adults and to work effectively with parent/carer advocates. Excellent written and oral communication skills, in working with both professional colleagues and parents/carers. Ability to manage and prioritise time against commitments, policy priorities and other demands. Ability to contribute positively and strategically to the Senior Management Team of the EPS, and to the development of initiatives within the team A commitment to providing a responsive and supportive EP service and a willingness to constantly seek ways of improving the service. E22 To deputise for the Principal Educational Psychologist as required E23 E24 E25 COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Ability to adhere to the Council s Dignity for All (Equal Opportunities) policy. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS This post will require you to obtain an Enhanced satisfactory clearance from the Disclosure and Barring service formally known as the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). This post requires registration with the Health Care Professionals council (HCPC) E= Essential *Assessed by: A= Application I= Interview /T /T 6

7 Please inset the relevant section in the JD & PS Appendix 1 7