Job Introduction
Surrey County Council's Educational Psychology team are Recruiting!
A message from Rachael Wardell, Executive Director – Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, Surrey County Council:
“I am really pleased that you’re interested in joining Surrey County Council within the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning (CFLL) directorate.
People are the beating heart of everything we do in CFLL. Our collective purpose as a directorate is to ensure that children are seen and heard, are safe and can grow; it is also to ensure that everyone in Surrey – children and adults – benefits from education and can achieve their potential. As a directorate we have big and bold ambitions for the next few years and our workforce is crucial in helping achieve these.”
Would you like to be part of an innovative, evidence-based and outcome-focused service, with excellent supervision and development opportunities? There has never been a better time to join us!
Our EP Service has a strong commitment to high quality, applied psychology and has dedicated time to engage in a broad range of preventative work, alongside statutory work, with opportunities to develop areas of specialist expertise.
Rewards and Benefits
A competitive salary for main grade EPs: Soulbury Scale A, 3 – 8: £46,525 - £56,540 per annum, with up to 3 SPA points (existing SPA points will be transferred)
A starting salary at point A5 for newly qualified EPs
SPA points 1 and 2 are automatically awarded after 1 and 2 years successful practice
London Fringe Area allowance of £916 per annum
Essential Car User Lump Sum Allowance of £963 per annum
26 days’ holiday rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
Part time and fixed term opportunities are available
Flexible working options around school core hours
Mobile and agile working solutions with friendly local bases for office working
An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to support health and wellbeing
A comprehensive supervision programme consisting of peer supervision and regular supervision with your line manager
A comprehensive induction programme including a buddy for the first term. Newly qualified EPs will also have a reduced caseload for the first term
Extensive CPD programme with 7 whole service study days across the year, development activities within area team meetings and opportunities to develop areas of special interest in line with the council’s priorities
Generous Local Government salary-related pension offered and the option to join the car lease scheme
Relocation package of up to £8,000 which is exempt from tax and National Insurance contributions for permanent positions
Visa sponsorship
About the Service
We are a large and expanding service consisting of a PEP, Area Senior EPs, EPs, Trainee EPs, Assistant EPs, Locum/ Associate EPs and a dedicated Business Support team. Within the service we are divided into four area quadrants with offices in Weybridge, Reigate and Woking and we will aim to accommodate your preferred location.
We are a supportive service, who adopt flexible and hybrid working practices. Our team members tell us that our positive relationships, professional autonomy, continuous professional development and emphasis on regular meetings with peers are real strengths of the service.
We are part of a wider Inclusion and Additional Needs Team and work collaboratively with colleagues in Speech and Language Therapy and Specialist Teaching. We also work closely with colleagues in health and social care and engage with these services to promote emotional wellbeing and mental health.
We are committed to enabling positive futures for all children and young people. Our focus is on the young person in their educational, home and community setting. We work collaboratively through the application of psychological theory, research and person-centred techniques with children and young people, their families and professionals to enable children to thrive in their local communities. Consultation, co-production and inclusion are fundamental to all aspects of our work.
We have many interesting opportunities for you to get involved with, some examples include:
Working with Surrey’s Virtual School, Surrey Early Education Services, the Team Around the School, Adoption Southeast and our local Mental Health Support Teams
Training Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs), school staff in Literacy for All approaches, school staff to support CYP experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance, school staff in the Compassionate Schools Programme and Key Adult Programme
Supervising trainee EPs, assistant EPs, ELSAs and nurture group teachers
Supporting school staff through our bookable consultations, AANTs (Analysis of Additional Needs Tool) and telephone helpline
Supporting families through multi family groups
Service development activities such as our work on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and supporting aspiring EPs
About the Roles
As part of the Council’s commitment to providing early intervention, we are looking to expand our capacity to deliver a sustainable preventative offer to schools, alongside our statutory work, and to strengthen our emotional wellbeing and mental health offer in partnership with health colleagues. We are seeking applicants who have a commitment to delivering high quality work through applied psychology.
Educational Psychologists: We welcome applications from experienced Educational Psychologists as well as current year two and three Trainee EPs.
Associate or Locum Educational Psychologists: If you are interested in joining us as an Associate or Locum Educational Psychologist, please contact our team directly (details below)
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 a recognised qualification in Educational Psychology
You are registered with the HCPC
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and our EPs will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
We are a supportive and friendly team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about the work we do. If you feel like this could be the place to start your career or to further develop your psychological skills, then please do get in touch to find out more.
Contact us
Please contact us with any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion about any of our opportunities please contact Chloe Gibson (South West Area Senior EP) via email at chloe.gibson@surreycc.gov.uk
This is a rolling advert and applications will be reviewed regularly. If your application is successfully shortlisted, we will be in touch to arrange an interview.
When your employment begins, you will need to be a member of HCPC. 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.
