Jobs

West Northamptonshire Educational Psychology Service is seeking to recruit creative and innovative psychologists to expand its existing team of skilled and friendly staff, as we develop and grow.

West Northamptonshire is still a new Unitary council – and there is an opportunity for to shape the future of the educational psychology service through co-constructing with our stakeholders and developing the team together. We are at a point where we are working to embed our priorities and values as we move forward.

The Service is very well regarded and supported within the council, which has a strong focus on values-based practice and staff wellbeing. We are keen for staff at all levels to contribute to, or lead initiatives and projects in line with our model of distributed leadership, giving opportunities to develop, experience and contribute to strategic developments.

The EPS is committed to developing services in response to community needs. We provide a broad and extensive centralised training offer and promote emotional wellbeing for school staff through our coaching and supervision offer. The service leads on the Northamptonshire Baby Room Project and the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) programme.

West Northamptonshire EPS is interested hearing from experienced EPs, those at an earlier stage of their career and trainees currently on educational psychology doctoral training programmes.

The service will provide you with a comprehensive induction and CPD programme and regular professional supervision. Additional mentoring support will be provided if you are a newly qualified EP. 

We have extensive links with training universities, with two members of our EP team employed as tutors on EP training courses - along with other links to local universities.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, and the new directions which the Service is taking, please email Deb Page, Interim Principal Educational Psychologist deborah.page@westnorthants.gov.uk or Gavin Morgan, Senior Educational Psychologist and tutor at University College London – gavin.morgan@westnorthants.gov.uk

West Northamptonshire Council covers the geographical area to the south and west of Northamptonshire. The service is based at One Angel Square in central Northampton. The EPS promotes a balance of face to face, alongside remote working. You will be provided with a laptop and mobile phone to support a flexible approach. 

Our benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Cycle to Work scheme. 
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Car Lease scheme
• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

What will you be doing?

Successful applicants will be joining qualified EPs, trainees and assistant psychologists who are committed to inclusion and improving the life chances of children and young people through the creative application of psychology.

About you

We look forward to hearing from applicants who have:

• A commitment to initiative and innovation
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A passion for improving the life chances of others, and particularly those from vulnerable and/or marginalised groups
• An ability to work collaboratively with different professionals

Applicants will need to be professionally qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), unless currently in training. 

About us

We’re a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.  

Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. 

Hear more from our Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw, about what it's like to work at West Northants Council https://youtu.be/lV0EfeUF4aU 

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.

Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.

Should you require the Job Description in another format or language, please contact: Careers@westnorthants.gov.uk

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.