Educational Psychology Assistant – The Limes College

Role Details:

Cognus Limited is a Local Authority Traded Company, which is commissioned by the London Borough of Sutton to provide education services to early years providers, mainstream schools and specialist education settings in Sutton. Wholly owned by the local authority, we deliver a wide range of high-quality services to deliver excellent practice that improve the lives of children, young people, and families in Sutton and beyond. Cognus Educational Psychology Service is looking to recruit an Educational Psychology Assistant (EPA) to join the team. The Assistant will be based in The Limes College and work under the supervision of an Educational Psychologist in the Cognus team. This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring Educational Psychologist to develop skills in a number of areas prior to applying for a place on the doctoral training course.

Cognus EPS consists of qualified Educational Psychologists, and Trainee Educational Psychologists as well as four mental health practitioners who work as part of the Sutton Wellbeing Service. We offer a traded service to schools in Sutton as well as other local settings and work on a number of commissioned projects with other professional groups and organisations in the local area. The team works directly in schools, and liaises closely with school staff, parents/carers and other professionals. We are seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, willing to learn, able to work as part of a school team and to be able to show initiative. This is a new post for the school and the service and will therefore be established by the person appointed alongside long- standing members of the EP service. The Assistant will apply psychological theory and practice in direct work with pupils and families, and work to undertake the recommendations of a qualified Educational Psychologist linked to the school. It is anticipated that the role will involve direct intervention work with children, young people and families as well as to gather information about the needs of pupils to support the work of the EP. The role will also involve assisting in delivering of training for school staff, workshops for parents/carers and the creation of resources for the school. The opportunity for this position has arisen due to an innovative Taskforce programme of support that has recently been launched at The Limes College. The focus of Taskforce is to provide a multi-agency therapeutic package of support around pupils and families with the most complex needs. The Assistant is likely to be involved with ongoing work the school is Registered in England and Wales No: 10276456. Registered office: Cantium House. Railway Approach, Wallington SM6 0DZ doing to promote trauma informed practices as well as to work directly with the children and parents who are part of Taskforce.

Applicants will need to demonstrate good knowledge and strong understanding of psychological theory and practice. They will need to have a First Class Honours Degree or 2:1 Honours Degree in Psychology, or a Master's degree in Psychology. This must be accredited with the BPS. This would include an understanding of child development, trauma informed working, and the evidence base for supporting low level emotional well-being and mental health needs. Applicants will also need to have experience of applying psychology theory in educational or community settings and strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional training will be provided at the start and throughout this post, but a pre-existing knowledge base and experience is required.