Maingrade Educational Psychologist

We are a close-knit team proud of our strong, supportive culture. Together, we developed our core values: compassion, curiosity and collaboration which guide everything we do. Team members often highlight our collaborative approach and positive team relationships as key strengths that enhance wellbeing and job satisfaction.

In our team EPs lead in an area that aligns with their expertise and passion. We welcome ideas for new areas of leadership that align with your interests. Educational Psychologists (EPs) also enjoy a breadth of work including the development and delivery of training, ELSA and SENCO supervision, organisational research, traded work in schools and TEP supervision. We actively encourage innovation and ideas that improve outcomes for children, families, and schools.

As an impact-led service, we are proud of the difference we make. Last year, pupils’ target achievement rose by 96.9% and loneliness scores reduced by more than 11 points after EP involvement. One pupil told us, “She [the EP] made me feel that my dream could be possible.” For those interested, please see our latest annual impact report here.

Location, Culture & Working Environment

Based at the Town Hall in Weston‑super‑Mare, our service offers free council parking, great links to Bristol (where many of our team live), and straightforward travel across our small, well‑connected authority. North Somerset includes a mix of larger towns, villages and coastal communities, with a wide range of socio‑economic contexts that makes for rich and varied EP practice.

As a smaller team, we work through collective and distributive leadership, with decisions made collaboratively and an emphasis on ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, valued and celebrated.

We offer up to 34 days’ annual leave, flexible working, and a strong commitment to work–life balance. EPs have protected development time, including opportunities to collaborate on a project linked to your own area of interest, alongside a comprehensive, well‑resourced CPD offer.

About the job - Maingrade EP (1 FTE):

We are seeking a dedicated and forward-thinking EP to join our team, delivering high-quality support across schools within North Somerset. This role offers a genuine opportunity to combine direct practice with leadership, development, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Applying psychology through the delivery of traded services to a cluster of schools within North Somerset. We promote EPs to take autonomy and employ the evidence-based psychological practice that you feel best meets needs.
• Take on a leadership role to enhance support and make strategic developments for children in a key area of need. We are happy to work with you to identify a leadership area, and we welcome proposals in areas aligned to your expertise and interests.
• Opportunities to engage in preventative work. For example, through the delivery of supervision and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to SENCOs through our SENCO networks forum, working with the virtual school or providing support for our teams working with students at risk of exclusion.
• Undertake an allocation of statutory work.

Additional information

• All applicants must be a qualified Educational Psychologist or be in your third year of EP training, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), or, in the case of trainee EPs, expecting to have their registration confirmed following the completion of their recognised training course.
• North Somerset Council offers a range of benefits including the Cycle to Work Scheme, opportunities to receive a career mentor and a generous employee assistance programme to support health and wellbeing.

North Somerset Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of our community regardless of age, disability, sex, race, religion, belief or sexual orientation. North Somerset Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Mobile/Field Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 0-1 day in the office
• Includes field workers who primarily work remotely.
• Comes into the office for meetings or focused work. Virtual connections with the team are essential, with portable technology supporting work on the go.

About You

We are looking for an individual who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Good honours degree in Psychology or equivalent recognised by the BPS
• Nationally recognised postgraduate qualification in educational psychology
• Evidence of continued professional development of in relevant areas
• Knowledge of a broad range of approaches to assessment and intervention, informed by current psychological research and practice
• Understanding of and commitment to consultation as a framework for service delivery
• Understanding of and commitment to supporting schools to achieve greater inclusion of children with special educational needs
• Knowledge, understanding of and commitment to professional codes of ethics
• Integrity - ability to be open and honest, to maintain high standards of personal behaviour and display strong moral principles
• Accountability - willingness to take personal responsibility for your actions and decisions, and to understand the consequences of your behaviour

Desirable Criteria:

• Proven track record in supporting children looked after
• Knowledge and awareness of national, regional, and international developments in Educational Psychology and Education in general
• Desire and ability to contribute to ongoing service development
• Competent research skills, data analysis, identification of trends and patterns to support the development of teaching and learning and/or the assessment of individual need
• Outstanding organisational skills, an ability to plan ahead, make priorities, manage workload, allocate time and cope with stress

What We Offer

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

This post is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact [Dulcie Gray, Senior Educational Psychologist (dulcie.gray@n-somerset.gov.uk)

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: Wednesday 06 May 2026.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.