Job Description

We are recruiting Specialist Practitioner Educational Psychologists to join our strong, highly regarded and supportive team of EP's. Although these posts have been designed to strengthen the skills and knowledge of main grade Educational Psychologists. Postholders will have the opportunity to attend local and national training in their specialist area, achieving professional accreditation where applicable.



This position is a full time, permanent Specialist Practitioner EP role - Soulbury A SCP 6-11 Plus SPA

A little about us here at Cheshire East Educational Psychology Service ...

We are passionate advocates of relational practice. This is our preferred way of being and this is threaded through all the connections we make and in the work that we do. We regard ourselves as absolutely blessed to have a super friendly, highly supportive, immensely talented and creative collection of psychologists. Our team are committed to and value their supervision, embrace professional development, and all have the opportunity to step up and lead on aspects of our co-constructed service transformation plan. Consequently, we are team striving together to make a positive difference to the lives of children, young people, their families and the Cheshire East community.



Our team deliver a range of evidence informed prevention and early intervention work. This aligns with our highly valued partly traded model of service delivery. This is balanced alongside our much-valued psychological contribution across the full range of statutory duties. We are very keen to engage in research to continue to evaluate our practice.



We invest in our staff, champion supervision and shared team learning through attendance at our Supervision Hub and Working Groups. Additionally, we hold regular team meetings and already have a developing CPD, alongside a social calendar for those who wish to get involved.



Our traded offer is wide ranging and can be viewed on our CHESS booking hub. We are piloting PATH to strengthen and deepen our Post 16 offer to those with an EHCP, which is yielding awesome feedback. We are keen to progress our co-production activities using a range of models to firmly hold children and young people at the centre and enable a joined up, accountable method to our graduated approach.



Our diverse working practices enable us to provide educational psychology involvement spanning individual, targeted, and strategic work with our partners, stakeholders, and commissioners. In addition to our traded and statutory duties, our more recent commissions include:


A community based, Family Hub's offer. This includes Parent Drop-in's (pre-bookable), bespoke training that is reflective of each Family Hub's community needs (themes from recent intelligence includes: autism, developing attachments, emotional wellbeing, barriers to attendance, and parenting). We are further able to provide a year-round EP consultation offer for all EYS and Family Hub staff. The on-going development of a multi-disciplinary neurodiverse assessment pathway, with EP's collaborating and contributing to this, alongside our inclusive offer to promote neuro-affirming practices. We are widening our Consultation offer, diversifying how we assess and report, developing an ambitious training programme for our children and young people to enhance their engagement with education and promote dynamic ways of learning to impact on their academic achievement. We are committed to supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health. Our service is embracing iThrive and will be contributing to the delivery of this alongside supporting settings to integrate the full offer. Additionally, we are gradually able to provide some therapeutic practice to children and young people and where commissioned, education staff, utilising our additional training and qualifications, under professional supervision. Our services have recently been commissioned to broaden our offer to Virtual School and strengthen our involvement and support for children and young people who are cared for, provide consultation related to inform preparing for adulthood plans for care-leavers, and provide a service to children and young people who are adopted, and their families.

Therefore, we are seeking to further expand our services!

Organisation

Cheshire East Council

Location

Macclesfield

Job Category

Children and Young People Services

Grade

Specialist Soulbury EP SCP 6 -11

Salary Min

53,995 pro rata per annum

Salary Max

63,394 pro rata per annum

Hours per week

30

Weeks per year

52.143

Employment Type

Permanent

Closing Date

27/07/2025

Ref No

E3125
Cheshire East is an amazing place to live and work. As one of the largest employers in the borough, we are able to offer you a wide range of challenging and rewarding career opportunities.



At Cheshire East Council we are working for a brighter future - together and our commitment to you is that our workplace culture will provide a shared purpose, a well-led organisation with valued people succeeding together as one team and one council to deliver the best service for our customers and communities.



If you want to be part of our award-winning council and contribute to our ongoing success, have the flexibility and drive to enable us to innovate, are committed to working as part of a team and striving to deliver exceptional service wherever you can, we would especially like to hear from you.



As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our local communities so that we can all work for a brighter future - together.



Brighter Future



www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/employee-benefits.aspx





Please do consider applying if you:


Are a HCPC registered Educational Psychologist or are in Year 3 of training and due to complete your doctorate in September 2025. Can work as part of a super supportive team, sharing your knowledge and skills, and are keen to develop resources and deliver training with colleagues in the EP service, wider SEND teams and across Children's Services to improve your own and others' practice and skills. Can utilise your skills and knowledge to bring about positive change for Cheshire East children, young people, their families, and the wider community. Are creative, enthusiastic, and passionate about the role that applied psychology can play in your daily work. Advocate for a Consultation method of service delivery and the use of person-centred methods of problem-solving and supporting change. Are mindful of social justice, committed to early identification and prevention support, overcoming barriers, promoting social and educational inclusion, and improving the lives and wellbeing of all children, young people, and their families. Embody relational practice and committed to contributing to a felt sense of belonging and inclusion for all.

We can offer:

An agile work style that allows off-site working, including the opportunity to work from home. A great flexitime system. Career average pension scheme. Full reimbursement of your HCPC fees. Dedicated administrative support. Strong commitment to supervision and CPD. A schedule of individual and peer supervision. Comprehensive induction programme to settle you in. Your own laptop and excellent IT support. Occasional car user allowance and long stay car parking permit valid across the borough. A commitment to remain on Soulbury pay and conditions.

At Cheshire East Council we offer:

Enhanced annual leave

- Start with an impressive 34 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) from day one, and watch it grow to 39 days after just five years of service

Purchase of annual leave

- Want more time off? You can purchase up to 10 extra days of annual leave each year, giving you the flexibility to balance work and life just the way you want (Pro-rata for part-time staff)

Salary sacrifice green car scheme

- Drive green and save green! Lease a brand-new electric or hybrid car through our salary sacrifice scheme. There are no credit checks, no deposits, just significant savings and exclusive offers on a three-year lease

White goods salary sacrifice scheme

- Upgrade your home with ease. Purchase home and electronic items through our salary sacrifice scheme, spreading the cost of big-ticket purchases like appliances, computers, and tech gadgets directly from your salary

Cycle to work scheme

- Save up to 25-39% on the retail price of bikes and safety equipment through Income Tax and National Insurance savings. Get fit and save money!

Employee assistance programme

- Access a completely free and confidential assistance service to help manage, reduce, and overcome life's challenges, both at work and in your personal life

Discounted gym membership

- Stay active and healthy with corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure, including: + Gym, Swim and Group Fitness at all 16 facilities
+ Off-Peak Racket Sports
+ Athletics Tracks
+ Sauna/Steam/Spa

Join us and experience a workplace that truly values and supports you!

How to apply:

To apply for the role please Apply for this job at the bottom of the page -



Applicants should ensure all sections of the application form are completed as failure to do so will result in their application being rejected. Please upload a copy of your CV and a cover letter, explaining why you feel your skills, knowledge and experience meet the specification set out in the attached job description and person specification.

Shortlisting and Interview

We aim to inform suitable candidates of an invite to interview within four working days of receiving your application. We therefore recommend that you submit your application without delay.



For an informal discussion about the above posts, please contact Principal Educational Psychologist Dr Alexandria Brightmore via email - Alexandria.Brightmore@cheshireeast.gov.uk



Cheshire East Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across the Borough. As such, any cautions, convictions, reprimands or final warnings that are 'not protected' as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 (as amended in 2013) relating to the non-disclosure of spent convictions do not apply to this job. You must therefore, disclose whether you have any previous convictions where prompted to do so within the application process.



Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.



If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date then it is likely that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion, however please do not be discouraged from applying again.



For any technical enquiries please email sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk



Please quote job reference number in all correspondence.