Directorate: Children and Family Services

Section: Learning and Inclusion

Grade: Soulbury A 3-8 + 3 SPA

Salary: £42,075 - £49,714 (plus up to 3 SPA points)

Hours: 37 hours per week

There are 3 posts available.

Stoke-on-Trent values the work of educational psychologists in the City and to this end is launching a new and innovative Educational Psychology Service. Stoke is looking to recruit a number of talented, creative and pioneering EPs who are looking for a challenge and who are equipped to meet the needs of the children, young people, families and the wider community.

Stoke-on-Trent EPS is situated within the Learning and Inclusion directorate within Children and Family Services, Currently, Stoke-on-Trent is embarking on an exciting and ambitious SEND reform journey where there is a commitment to building strategic partnerships between Health, Social Care and Education. Stoke-on-Trent have prioritised and value inclusion and restorative practice in order to ensure the best life outcomes for the City.

As a new service the EPs will be instrumental in the development of a service that not only meets statutory requirements but one that is able to effect outcomes at ‘SEND support’ thereby promoting and facilitating inclusion by leading on the development and implementation of the new graduated response. There is the opportunity to develop EP practice so that it impacts communities directly, therefore engaging and responding to what is important for the communities we serve.

This post is suitable for candidates that have ideas and vision about how to deliver educational psychology differently, using strength-based, collaborative and research-led approaches. Stoke-on-Trent recognises the value of Educational Psychology at an operational and strategic level and this is a fantastic opportunity for experienced educational psychologists as well as those new to the profession to really make their mark in a way that they impact the lives of children, young people, their families and the wider community.

Stoke EPS is aiming to be a dynamic service with lots of exciting opportunities and advantages, including:

• Flexible working

• Generous annual leave - 26 days increasing to 29 days after 5 years local government service with an additional 8 public, 2 extra statutory and 2 local day’s holidays.
• Dedicated admin support

• Benefits and rewards
• Learning and development support
• CPD – 9 days in line with recommendations from the BPS and HCPC requirements for registration.
• established links with the West Midlands Regional EPS Group
• established links with the University of Birmingham and other training providers
• Opportunities to develop specialism in line with service and local needs.
• Parking permits where required

For an informal discussion please contact Michele Perry-Springer, Principal Educational Psychologist (interim) michele.perry@stoke.gov.uk  or Gary May Strategic Lead for SEND gary.may@stoke.gov.uk

Please also view the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing Date: 9th August 2021

All applicants must hold the relevant professional qualification and be registered with the HCPC. This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. Stoke City Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children and young people entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Stoke is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes application from underrepresented communities.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment.  This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

To Apply - please visit our website https://webrecruitment.stoke.gov.uk/wrl/ If you have any queries or want an application form in another format, please email recruitment@stoke.gov.uk or call us on 01782 238189.