Principal Educational Psychologist

Job Introduction

Principal Educational Psychologist – Shape the Future of Children’s Services

Inspire. Innovate. Impact.

Are you ready to lead a dynamic team and place collaboration and innovation are at the heart of everything we do? Join and transform our Educational Psychology Service and play a pivotal role in improving outcomes and experiences for children and young people across the BCP area.

Why Join Us?

Our service values on creativity and continuous improvement. Through our link Educational Psychologist (EP) model, we empower schools and settings to embrace evidence informed approaches. You’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to systemic solutions and meaningful, lasting change. Find out more about us in our 2025 service brochure 

What Makes Us Different?

• Distributed leadership: Every EP has the chance to lead in areas of professional interest whether it’s SENCo supervision, ELSA programme, our nurturing Nurture Network, EBSA interventions, PINS, or delivering centralised training open to all schools.
• Strong Partnerships: We work closely with the Virtual School and College, developing advanced supervision models, delivering engaging training, and therapeutic interventions. Our Multi-Element Plan consultations and forward-thinking EHC assessment process set new standards for inclusion and co-production.
• Professional Growth: We’re committed to supporting trainee EP placements and your ongoing development.

Your Leadership Role

As our Lead Educational Psychologist, you will:

• Shape and drive our shared vision, ensuring our practice evolves with community needs and the latest research.
• Oversee recruitment, supervision, and performance management, ensuring efficient, high-impact service delivery.
• Champion early intervention and positive outcomes for children and young people, aligned with our vision and the Children and Young People’s Partnership Plan.
• Lead on monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance, guaranteeing our services are effective, timely, and accessible.
• Develop strategy implement, and track commissioning activities to support high-quality service delivery and meet financial objectives.
• Drive strategic developments across Children’s Services, contributing to the Local Authority’s Inclusion and Belonging agenda.
• Build robust partnerships with schools, Public Health, and the NHS, and share psychological insights across Children’s Services and the SEND team.

What You’ll Bring

A professional post-graduate qualification in Educational Psychology and HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist.

• Management experience as a senior or principal EP in a local authority, or equivalent experience with a track record of developing services that improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and lead others collaboratively.
• Experience working in partnership with educational settings and multi-agency services to enhance inclusion, well-being, and academic standards.
• Strong data analysis skills to inform planning and service delivery.
• Commitment to valuing the voices of children, young people, and families, and upholding our Co-Production Pledge.
• Knowledge of financial regulations and budget management.
• Dedication to using supervision, mentoring, and coaching to develop yourself and your colleagues.

Our Offer to You

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working options (subject to agreement)
• Extensive training and development opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Family-friendly policies
• Local discounts and a comprehensive Wellbeing Programme
• Relocation scheme up to £8,000 (subject to criteria)
• Generous annual leave entitlement

Enjoy life in the beautiful BCP area, with miles of sandy beaches, the Jurassic Coast to the west, and the New Forest to the east.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email jeanette.yorke@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Interview Date: 

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits 

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council 

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people. 
  

Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at (Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page) 

 Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you 

 More About us | Working for BCP 

DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details.