About this role
Job summary
Are you ready to make a meaningful and lasting difference to the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Southend on Sea?
Southend on Sea City Council is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Principal Educational Psychologist to lead our Educational Psychology Service. This is a rare opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the service, influence inclusive practice across the city and play a central role in supporting children, families and professionals. As Principal Educational Psychologist, you will provide strong strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the delivery of high-quality psychological advice and support to schools, settings and partners. You will have the autonomy to grow and develop the service, nurture talent within your team and embed a culture of reflection, learning and continuous improvement.
Our Principal Educational Psychologist plays a strategic, system-wide role in shaping and delivering SEND reform, influencing policy, practice, and outcomes across education, health, and care systems beyond individual assessments, and acting as a key local driver by integrating leadership, psychological expertise, and system design to strengthen inclusive and sustainable practice.
Main duties of the job
You will lead and manage the Educational Psychology Service, setting a clear vision and ensuring the service responds effectively to local priorities and statutory responsibilities. Working closely with schools, early years settings, health colleagues and partner agencies, you will champion collaborative working and promote inclusive, evidence-based interventions that improve outcomes for children and young people.
You will oversee the delivery of statutory psychological advice in line with the SEND Code of Practice (025 years), including complex casework and representation at SEN Tribunals where required. Alongside this, you will be responsible for quality assurance, ensuring the service operates to the highest professional and ethical standards.
Safeguarding will be integral to your role, and you will actively promote the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults, ensuring robust risk management and safeguarding practices are embedded across the service.
About us
Southend on Sea City Council is a Unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who are working alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend.
Working for Southend on Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovate environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work life balance. As a Unitary Authority we are responsible for all local government functions ranging from social services, transport, public health and parks through to planning, trading standards, community safety and education, so we offer a wide range of career opportunities. The diversity of our economy and communities and investment in a number of exciting regeneration projects makes our Council a great place to work, learn and make a difference.
Job description Job responsibilities
Lead and shape the strategic direction and operational delivery of the Educational Psychology Service, which work as part of the Specialist Support Services for Schools within Southend City Councils Education, Inclusion and Early Years Directorate; championing inclusive practice and driving improved outcomes for children and young people. Be accountable for the professional standards, performance, and impact of the service, including leadership, workforce development, service delivery, and resource deployment. Drive excellence in the delivery of high-quality, timely, and evidence-based psychological advice and intervention for children, young people, families, and professionals.Please refer to the attached full job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
You will hold a recognised postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology and be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Eligibility for Chartered Status
Desirable
Associate Fellowship of the BPS (optional).
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Southend On Sea City Council
Address Southend-on-sea City Council
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-sea
SS1 9SB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.southend.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)