Head of Service (Hampshire Educational Psychology)

Job Details:

Job Reference: HCC624939
Salary Range: £78,490 - £84,357 per annum (Soulbury Senior EP Scale B 14-18)
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 14 October 2026

The Role:

As Head of Service for Hampshire Educational Psychology, you'll lead one of the largest and most highly regarded educational psychology services in the country, shaping support for children, young people, families, schools and educational settings across Hampshire. This is a rare opportunity to influence strategic direction, drive innovation and ensure educational psychology continues to make a meaningful difference to the lives of those who rely on it.

Leading a service of around 70 staff and managing a budget of £6.5 million, you'll provide strategic, professional and operational leadership for Hampshire Educational Psychology. You'll ensure the delivery of high-quality statutory and traded services, whilst promoting evidence-informed practice and helping shape the future of inclusion and educational psychology across Hampshire.

A key focus of the role will be providing strategic leadership for Hampshire County Council's Experts at Hand offer as part of the Department for Education's SEND Reform Programme. Working with partners across education, health and social care, you'll help deliver lasting improvements in inclusion, early intervention and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

What you’ll do:

• Provide strategic leadership for Hampshire Educational Psychology, ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality services.
• Drive innovation and champion evidence-informed practice to deliver service excellence.
• Lead one of Hampshire County Council's most significant SEND transformation programmes through the delivery of the Experts at Hand offer.
• Influence policy and practice across education, health and social care.
• Ensure statutory and traded services are delivered effectively, sustainably and to the highest professional standards.
• Build effective partnerships to develop a whole-system approach that strengthens inclusion, builds workforce capability and improves outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
• Champion the contribution of educational psychology locally, regionally and nationally.

What we’re looking for:

• Honours Degree in Psychology recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS), a postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology (Doctorate, MSc or equivalent) and HCPC registration.
• Significant experience as a practising Educational Psychologist, including senior leadership experience within educational psychology and multidisciplinary services.
• A proven track record of leading large-scale transformation, organisational change and service improvement.
• Experience of developing strategic partnerships and influencing policy and decision-making across education, health and social care.
• Experience managing substantial budgets and resources.
• A highly credible, visible and collaborative leader with excellent communication, influencing and strategic leadership skills.
• Passion for improving outcomes for children and young people, with a strong commitment to inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement.

Take a look at our Candidate Packfor more information about the Head of Service (Hampshire Educational Psychology) role, team and our values. The ‘About you’ section explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Why join us?

• Play a pivotal role in delivering one of Hampshire’s most ambitious transformation programmes, helping to shape the future of educational psychology and SEND support at scale.
• Help create a more inclusive, responsive and ambitious future for children and young people across Hampshire.
• Work alongside talented professionals and partners across education, health and social care.
• Join a service with a strong culture of supervision, professional development, wellbeing and continuous learning.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here. 

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK.

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Head of Educational Psychology, Principal Educational Psychologist, Principal EP, Senior Educational Psychologist, Lead Educational Psychologist, Educational Psychology Service Manager, Educational Psychology Team Manager.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.   

Additional Information:

Head of Service (Hampshire Educational Psychology) Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

For general enquiries, please contact [email removed]
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Mark Kingswood, County Education Manager (Early Intervention and Vulnerable Children) on [email removed]

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

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