Job Introduction
We have a fantastic opportunity to join our creative and friendly service. This year, our service has led on nationally recognised programmes: our EP-led literacy approach, local and regional school non-attendance projects, and joint work with the Virtual School for care-experienced children. ELSA and district-commissioned non-attendance work are two in-demand examples.
We continue to use psychology in everything we do to change and improve the life experiences of children and families in Staffordshire. We’re central to Staffordshire’s new Enhanced Assess–Plan–Do–Review (EAPDR) pathway, using psychology in a preventative, collaborative and creative way.
As an Assistant Educational Psychologist, you would have an important role in working alongside an EP delivering evidence-based approaches. We are looking for individuals who are planning a future career as Educational Psychologists, who want to work creatively in applying psychology to achieve great outcomes for our children and families in Staffordshire.
A comprehensive programme of induction, supervision and training will be provided offering excellent preparation for the role and for any future steps towards training to be an Educational Psychologists.
The post is for one year fixed and will be based in either Burton, Lichfield, Stafford or Newcastle.
Main Responsibility
You will be embedded in our district teams across Staffordshire, and as such you will be an integral part of working with Educational Psychologists on:
- delivering new SEND reforms through ‘experts at hand’;
- school based preventative work;
- research;
- team and service development groups ;
- EP recommended reading approach ;
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD) initiatives; and
- early years work and Enhanced Assess, Plan, Do, Review (EAPDR).
Due to the travelling to different locations the role is an essential car user
The Ideal Candidate
The minimum criteria that will be used to shortlist for this role will be:
- hold a first degree in psychology or postgraduate equivalent qualification
- Experience of working with children/young people in educational setting
- be able to demonstrate a range of experience working with children and young people, demonstrating the outcomes for the work that you have undertaken.
- Essential car user as you will be travelling to different locations
- Knowledge of recent and relevant educational legislation including related regulations and guidance.
- Knowledge of psychological theories and evidence as applied in education.
- Knowledge and commitment to developing inclusive and effective educational practice.
- Knowledge and experience of applying a range of assessment and psychological interventions with CYP.
An enhanced DBS check is required for this post
If you'd like to discuss the role further, please contact on vanessa.willis @staffordshire.gov.uk
Interviews will be commencing from 14th December 2026 via Teams
For information, please note that there is currently an ongoing review within Children and Families to realign individual teams and the wider team’s ways of working. As a result, this role may be affected by the review. For further information, please speak to the hiring manager.
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.
Please note: The minimum essential criteria in the ideal section detailed above will be used if you are applying under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people.
We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future. We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
