Educational Psychologist

• Main-Grade Educational Psychologists
  - We need clear communicators who understand this roles public service to Mertons children and families. Were looking for committed Educational Psychologists to join our team and community. There are exciting opportunities for lead roles in ELSA, MeLSA and Supervision in Schools.
• N.B. All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Despite high demand for statutory work, we have effective leadership and systems to ensure this is just one aspect of applying psychology. Our colleagues engage in a variety of traded work with schools and multi-agency projects, including the Virtual School, Early Years Inclusion Service, Behaviour Service, and Merton Autism Outreach Service. We also deliver programmes like Early Bird Plus, Supervision in Schools, ELSA, and MeLSA.

We receive positive feedback about our creative approaches to working with children, partners, and the community.

Belonging and connectedness is important across SENDIS e.g., services recently came together to think about how to use and promote neuro-affirmative language in our work, and we are looking for Educational Psychologists who value and can create a sense of belonging. In alignment with Mertons values, our EPs are inclusive, collaborative, and creative, led by a senior leadership team that prioritises integrity, transparency, and equity.

We are committed to continuous improvement, including developing our service development priority areas which include anti-racist practices, CPD, and assessment and consultation.

About the Service

The Merton Educational Psychology Service is part of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Integrated Service (SENDIS), which includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and SEN case work teams. This integration fosters innovative and collaborative work across specialisms.

Merton Local Authority values early intervention and recognises the crucial role of educational psychology in supporting our vulnerable children and young people. We are committed to timely identification and support for their needs, ensuring their strengths and complexities are well understood.

Our team is friendly and collaborative, with new colleagues feeling welcomed and supported. We are well-regarded within the Local Authority, reflected in high buy-back levels from schools, social care, and health services. The Merton EP Team is a learning organisation and the PEP and senior leadership team support colleagues to achieve their professional development goals. There is a focus on EP wellbeing and colleagues feel supported by our group supervision sessions and whole team reflective spaces.

We also enjoy regular social events.

Toprovide an educational psychology service.

To contribute to the Councils strategic aims for pupils with assessed special educational needs within the legislative framework.

Towork with schools, other professionals and parents to find more effective waysof supporting the learning and development of children and young people both athome and at school.

Towork as part of the SEN & Inclusion Service to contribute to the raising of attainment for all Children & Young People in Merton Schools and settings through inclusive education.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To provide aconsultative service to teachers, parents and other professionals concerning the needs of individual children. The focus of this work is on enabling those with frequent contact with the child to be more effective in theirwork.

To undertake individual casework in schools and early years settings, as required,with children within the framework of the SEN Code of Practice. This will include psychological assessment of children to provide advice and support to teachers and parents.

To provide psychological advice for statutory assessments, as appropriate, within the relevant legislation and meets the required performance indicators for the Educational Psychology Service.

To provide consultation and individual casework for young children, to parents, early years settings and other professionals, which includes other member of SENDIS.

To liaise withother Local Authority services and voluntary bodies as necessary.

To provide advice,support & guidance to parents about the needs of their children,facilities & resources available to them and their entitlements during consultation and casework.

To plan and deliver CPD at a school, LA and community level (as commissioned).

To represent the EPSand School Improvement Service (SIS) at meetings with partners within theLA and with outside agencies.

To negotiate,contract, plan, deliver and evaluate work commissioned from the EPS, which improve outcomes for children and young people.

In association with the School Standards and Quality, to contribute to the…