Principal Education Psychologist

Role Purpose The Principal Educational Psychologist (PEP) will provide professional, strategic and operational leadership for the Educational Psychology Service within Cheshire East Council. The postholder will ensure that educational psychology contributes effectively to improved outcomes, inclusion and wellbeing for children and young people, particularly those with SEND. The PEP will lead on professional standards, quality assurance, workforce development, service delivery, budget management and system-wide integration.

They will contribute to education and SEND reforms, ensuring the service is evidence-based, forward-looking and aligned with statutory responsibilities and Council priorities.  

Key Responsibilities Professional Leadership & Quality Assurance
* Provide professional leadership and ensure high standards of ethical, evidence-based and inclusive psychological practice.
* Develop and maintain practice frameworks, quality assurance arrangements and professional standards.
* Oversee consultation, assessment, formulation, intervention planning, training and statutory SEND contributions.
* Maintain oversight of complex and high-risk casework where appropriate. Strategic Leadership & SEND Reform
* Lead and contribute to local education and SEND reforms, including SEND and inclusion strategies, locality-based working, Families First and early intervention.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national SEND legislation, policy and best practice, translating these into local implementation.
* Contribute to strategic planning, commissioning and service development across education and SEND. Partnership & Integrated Working
* Work closely with the Head of Service and senior colleagues to provide effective leadership across psychological and specialist education services.
* Promote integrated working across SEND, education, health, social care and prevention services.
* Develop strong relationships with schools, academies, early years settings, post-16 providers and partner organisations.
* Represent the Council at regional and national professional networks where required. Workforce Leadership
* Line manage senior educational psychology staff and lead the wider EP workforce.
* Ensure effective supervision, performance management, PDRs, CPD and professional development.
* Lead workforce development, recruitment, retention and succession planning.
* Foster an inclusive, reflective and supportive culture focused on children, learning and staff wellbeing. Operational Management & Governance
* Hold responsibility for the EP service budget, ensuring effective financial planning and value for money.
* Contribute to service planning, performance monitoring, reporting, risk management and governance.
* Ensure effective responses to enquiries, complaints and feedback.
* Support inspection, audit and assurance activity, including Ofsted and CQC processes where required.
* Operate in accordance with Council policies, procedures, professional standards and statutory responsibilities. Corporate & Member Engagement
* Provide professional advice and briefings to senior leaders and Elected Members as required.
* Represent Educational Psychology at internal forums, working groups and partnership boards.
* Contribute to wider Children's Services and corporate priorities.
* Promote equality, inclusion, safeguarding and children's welfare throughout all aspects of the role.  Person Specification Essential Qualifications
* Doctoral or postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology.
* HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist. Essential Experience
* Substantial senior leadership experience within an Educational Psychology or comparable professional service.
* Proven strategic and professional leadership within a complex organisation.
* Experience managing senior professionals, including supervision, performance management and workforce development.
* Demonstrable experience leading service redesign, improvement or transformation.
* Experience operating at strategic and system level, influencing policy, strategy and practice.
* Significant multi-agency leadership experience across education, SEND, health, social care and prevention.
* Experience contributing to or leading responses to national SEND reforms and translating policy into local practice.
* Experience working within governance, accountability, assurance and performance frameworks.
* Experience of budget management, financial planning or commissioning within a public sector environment.

Desirable Experience
* Experience working with Elected Members or presenting to boards, scrutiny panels or senior leadership forums.
* Experience representing a Local Authority or service at regional or national level. Essential Knowledge & Skills
* Authoritative knowledge of educational psychology practice and its application at service and system level.
* Strong understanding of SEND legislation, policy and reform.
* In-depth knowledge of Local Authority/public sector…