Principal Educational Psychologist

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

Are you an experienced and ambitious Educational Psychologist ready to lead and shape a high‑quality local authority psychology service?

About the role:

Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking a Principal Educational Psychologist to provide strategic, professional and operational leadership to our Educational Psychology Service, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑based psychological services that improve outcomes for children and young people, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

This is a pivotal senior leadership role within our Education Directorate, contributing to system‑wide improvement, statutory SEND responsibilities, and partnership working across education, health and social care. The post holder will play a key role in shaping inclusive practice across B&NES and supporting schools, settings and services to meet the needs of our most vulnerable learners.

Key responsibilities:

Strategic and Professional Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and professional direction for the Educational Psychology Service, ensuring high standards of practice, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Act as the senior professional lead for Educational Psychology within B&NES, maintaining oversight of statutory and preventative services.
• Contribute to the council’s wider education, SEND and inclusion priorities as part of the Directorate Management team.

Statutory SEND and Inclusion

• Ensure the effective delivery of the local authority’s statutory duties, including psychological advice for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs).
• Provide expert psychological advice to support decision‑making, early intervention and inclusive practice across education and children’s services.
• Support the development and implementation of SEND reforms and national policy within the local context.

Service Management and Workforce Development

• Lead, manage and develop the Educational Psychology workforce & Early Years Area SENCO team, including recruitment, supervision, appraisal and professional development.
• Promote evidence‑informed practice, research and innovation within the service.
• Ensure effective use of resources, performance monitoring and service planning.

Partnership and System Leadership

• Work collaboratively with schools, early years settings, health partners, social care and other agencies to promote positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Represent the Educational Psychology Service at strategic boards, partnerships and regional or national forums as required.
• Support schools and settings through consultation, training and organisational development.

Safeguarding and Vulnerable Learners

• Contribute to safeguarding arrangements and support the council’s responsibilities for children who are vulnerable, including those with SEND, children looked after, and those at risk of exclusion or poor attendance.
• Champion inclusive, trauma‑informed and psychologically informed approaches across the local system.

What we offer:

• A strategic leadership role with real influence on local and system‑wide outcomes for children and young people.
• A supportive and values‑driven organisation, committed to inclusion, collaboration and professional integrity.
• Opportunities for professional development, leadership growth and engagement with regional and national EP networks.
• Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, generous annual leave and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Essential qualifications and experience:

• Postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology and registration with the HCPC.
• Eligibility for Chartered Psychologist status with the British Psychological Society.
• Significant post‑qualification experience, including leadership or senior practitioner responsibilities within an Educational Psychology Service.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, statutory frameworks and current best practice.
• Proven ability to lead services, manage people and contribute to strategic improvement.

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Chris Wilford, Director of Education on 01225 477109 or email christopher_wilford@bathnes.gov.uk

Provisional interview date: Friday 22nd May 2026.

No agencies please.

*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.