A welcome from our Principal Educational Psychologist
“I am proud to serve as the Principal Educational Psychologist. I lead a dedicated and passionate team of Educational Psychologists (EPs) who work tirelessly to support the educational and emotional development of children and young people in Essex.
We are a welcoming team of professionals, eager to embrace EPs from diverse backgrounds. Our team is gradually growing and strengthening, committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where every member can thrive.
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to join our dynamic team, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us to learn more about the opportunities available.”
Stephen Whitfield MA, MSc.
Principal Educational Psychologist
We recognise that EPs come from all walks of life and are all at different stages in their careers. Click on either of the two options below to read the information that is most relevant to you:
Apply now
Ready to get involved? Apply now right here on our careers site.
Extraordinary Essex
Watch this recently released video and find out about the amazing work our EPs are doing right here in Essex:
So, what’s working here really like?
Still want to hear more? We feel that the testimonials of our own EPs is priceless – here’s what they had to say about working here:
“Working as an Assistant Educational Psychologist in Essex has given me a chance to thrive and rise to challenges in a busy, essential sector. The Assistant EP role is an active and varied one – every day is different, and I might be delivering staff training one day, running a group intervention the next, and supporting with a research project on another.
I get to work alongside expert practitioners in SEND and to learn from them, while also having the chance to develop and use my own skills in Educational Psychology.”
Sarah Lloyd, Assistant Educational Psychologist
“Training with Essex has been invaluable due to the range of casework and learning opportunities. The focus on CPD has been really refreshing and helped to develop me further as a trainee. The team are the real positive though, beyond supportive and always available if and when needed. I’m glad to be staying on as a Recently Qualified Educational Psychologist!”
Sam Lewis, Trainee Educational Psychologist
“Transitioning from a trainee to a newly qualified Educational Psychologist (EP) at Essex has been both rewarding and enjoyable. Being part of such a lovely and nurturing team means I always feel supported. There are countless opportunities to learn and develop professionally, making Essex the perfect place to begin my career as an EP.”
Sarah Manuel, Newly Qualified Educational Psychologist
“I joined the Essex Educational Psychology Service as a second-year Trainee Educational Psychologist (TEP) and was thrilled by the diverse experiences I gained during my training. These included facilitating problem-solving interventions with the Youth Justice Service and collaborating on an organisational change project with staff members.
Additionally, I enjoyed designing and delivering training sessions on mental health and self-harm in post-16 settings. As a newly qualified Educational Psychologist, I have felt incredibly supported and inspired by the team as I embark on my journey in this field. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to making a positive impact on the lives of the children and young people I will work with.”
Helen O’Neill, Newly Qualified Educational Psychologist
How do we operate?
Interested in our structure? This is what you can expect upon joining:
Our structure has been designed to foster an environment of trust in both our leadership and our practitioners.
Working for Essex County Council offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with your Deputy Principal EP and fellow EPs, engage in meaningful work, and contribute to the well-being and success of the educational communities we serve.
Split into four quadrants, you’ll work in a specific area of Essex where you can really focus on your techniques and processes, creating tailored processes and rewarding results throughout every step of your career with us.
Information for aspiring EPs
Are you currently a University or A Level student, looking to enter the field?
We offer a number of pathways that can lead you into a successful career in educational psychology.
So; if you’re a student, planning to be a student, or have just finished your course, and are wondering what steps you might need to take to enter a dynamic team who do fascinating work; then you’re in the right place.
Our Educational Psychology Graduate Scheme welcomes university students hoping to make a start in the field – watch this short video to find out more about the opportunity:
Top tips for entering the field
Searching for advice on starting your career? Here are some pointers that might be useful for you:
Requirements to enter the field:
- Must be registered with the HCPC.
- Complete a 3-year postgraduate training program (doctorate).
- Degree in psychology (or conversion course) and significant experience with children.
For students, we’d recommend:
- Take psychology at GCSE/A-level if possible.
- Aim for a 1st or 2:1 in your psychology degree.
- Gain experience working with children and young people.
For overseas applicants, you may be eligible to register with the HCPC.
For more information, we’d recommend taking a look at the Association of Educational Pscyhologist’s website.
Take the leap
Convinced? Get started today and apply now.
Still on the fence? See why our EPs choose Essex.
Thank you for taking the time to visit our microsite.
If there’s something you’d like to know that we’ve not answered here, please feel free to get in touch with us via email:
For questions relating to Educational Psychology, please contact: education.psychology@essex.gov.uk
For resourcing or recruitment queries, please contact: resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk