Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist

Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist

Suffolk County Council

• Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX - Hybrid working
• Salary: £68,086 - £76,154 per annum (pro rata for part time) Soulbury B:10 - 13 plus 3 SPA points
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed term up to 12 months (Maternity cover)
• Reference: 22047

Are you ready to lead through change and make a lasting impact?

We are seeking an experienced, courageous, and innovative Educational Psychologist to provide maternity leave cover for a key leadership role within Suffolk County Council's Psychology and Therapeutic Services. You will work collaboratively with partners across Inclusion to help shape the future of our service at a time of significant change, including national SEND reforms and local initiatives such as Families First.

This is a fixed-term role for up to 12 months, with the office base at Endeavour House, Ipswich.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will provide essential leadership focused on people and organisational resilience. You will play a pivotal role in embedding psychologically informed leadership, supporting staff through change, and sustaining morale, retention, and high-quality practice. Your ability to balance strategic and operational demands, maintain clear professional boundaries, and hold others accountable will be vital.

You will:

• work closely in partnership with the Principal Educational Psychologist to lead the Educational Psychology Service, navigate professional changes and adapt workforce modelling to meet local strategic priorities
• contribute towards the wider Leadership Team, working collaboratively with partners across inclusion to ensure continual improvement of systems and processes to maximise resource and results
• provide line management and supervision for Senior Educational Psychologists, maintaining strategic oversight of Educational Psychology activity, outcomes and impact
• lead and manage statutory developments including agency contracts, locum resource, quality assurance systems, data analysis, feedback mechanisms and reporting
• champion the role of Educational Psychologists earlier upstream and support the successful inclusion of children and young people via our early intervention model
• lead with clarity, consistency, and integrity, ensuring the team continues to thrive through distributed leadership and autonomy
• foster a culture of trust, two-way feedback, and professional growth, particularly supporting early-career staff to maintain their passion and drive
• communicate clearly and consistently, sustaining momentum as we move from building to embedding new systems and processes.

You will need:

• a proven track record in delivering high-quality, innovative services and improving outcomes for children and young people
• experience of effective leadership and management at a senior level, including managing organisational change and supporting teams through transition
• the ability to build relationships quickly and maintain strong professional boundaries
• commitment to collaborative, psychologically informed practice and a bottom-up approach to team development
• excellent working relationships with headteachers, parents/carers, and other professionals
• professional qualification as an Educational Psychologist and HCPC registration.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

The team

Suffolk Psychology and Therapeutic Services are highly valued, solution-oriented, innovative and person-centred. Our progressive service is committed to providing a balanced workload for Educational Psychologists (EPs).

For more information about our work please visit the Psychology and Therapeutic Services page and the Wellbeing in Education page.

Suffolk's Psychology and Therapeutic Services offer includes:

• a warm welcome, supportive team environment and modern workspace,
• HCPC registration fees reimbursement and generous CPD possibilities,
• strong links with University EP Doctorate and related Masters' courses,
• smart working to create a positive, productive and trusting work environment,
• dedicated administrative support across the Psychology and Therapeutic Services.

For more information

To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Claire Darwin, Principal Educational Psychologist, by emailing

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 8 February 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.