Assistant Psychologist

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we're driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That's why, when you join us as an Assistant Psychologist, you'll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

Working under the supervision of a qualified Educational Psychologist, you will support the emerging Experts at Hand model and the wider Educational Psychology Service across its statutory, non-statutory and traded work.

You will help education settings strengthen inclusive practice, early intervention and the graduated response through consultation, assessment, intervention, training and research, improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

This may include, but will not be limited to:

- Work with education, inclusion, health and other partners to embed psychological approaches.

- Gather information, observe and undertake proportionate assessments with children and young people with SEND.

- Deliver and evaluate evidence-based interventions, including academic interventions.

- Provide consultation, audits, intervention and practical support to education settings.

- Develop and deliver inclusion-focused training and implementation support.

- Communicate children and young people's strengths and needs clearly in discussion and written reports.

This is not an exhaustive list; objectives will be agreed with your line manager through the Personal Development Review process., Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

1. Provide an example of how you used an outcome and solution-oriented approach to achieve positive results for a child or young person you have worked with. What strategies or approach did you use and what impact did this have for them?

2. Explain how you stay updated with current research, legislation, and developments in child and educational psychology and reflect through an example of your recent work, how you applied this, in practise.

3. Give an example of how you've contributed to developing inclusive practices in an educational or community setting. What was your role, what did you do, and what did you learn about yourself?

4. Drawing on your relevant work experience with children and young people, explain through an example how you applied your skills in building relationships with them. Consider what you did that supported this relationship and the impact this had.

Qualifications and professional memberships

- A 2:1 honours degree or above in Psychology, or an equivalent qualification that provides Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Values, qualities, skills and experience

We're looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people and families and who shares our commitment to inclusive, person-centred practice.

You will:

- Apply psychological knowledge and evidence-informed thinking in a practical and meaningful way.

- Communicate effectively and sensitively with a range of audiences, including children, families, colleagues and partner agencies.

- Build positive working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams and services.

- Work confidently both independently and as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.

- Demonstrate creativity, flexibility and initiative when responding to complex situations.

- Have a sound understanding of safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, and relevant legislation.

- Be reflective in your practice, open to learning, and committed to continuous improvement.

Above all, you will work in a way that embodies our WE ASPIRE values and contributes positively to the children, families and communities we serve.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the 'How to apply' section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Suffolk Psychology and Therapeutic Services (P&TS) is an ambitious, forward-looking service using psychology and therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes, wellbeing and belonging for children and young people.

Guided by our Inclusive Futures vision, "Altogether Now" mission and WE ASPIRE values, we take a person-centred, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach. We work collaboratively with children, families, education settings and partners to strengthen early intervention, inclusion and the graduated response, as well as supporting statutory, commissioned and traded work. This places P&TS at the heart of Suffolk's emerging Experts at Hand model, bringing psychological and therapeutic expertise closer to settings so that timely, needs-led support can be delivered where children had their needs met to learn, thrive and achieve.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days

membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits

performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase

training and encouragement to expand your knowledge

a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation

diverse and active staff networks

flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!