Research Assistant / Assistant Educational Psychologist

Norfolk County Council · Norfolk

Educational Psychology and Specialist Support (EPSS) is delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for passionate psychology graduates to join our team as an Assistant Educational Psychologist (AEP).

We are looking for enthusiastic, reflective and dynamic candidates, keen to support the development and delivery of our work in schools across Norfolk and committed to pursuing a career in educational psychology. We see this opportunity as the first step in progressing from Assistant EP to Trainee EP and, ultimately, qualified EP. The post forms part of a structured 20-month development programme designed to provide a broad range of experiences across statutory assessment, prevention and early intervention, research, quality assurance, service development, digital innovation and professional learning. Development is supported through structured supervision, reflective practice and a competency framework designed to support progression towards doctoral training in Educational Psychology.

Candidates will be supported and encouraged to apply for Educational Psychology doctoral training during the programme.

About EPSS
EPSS is a thriving, multi-professional service at the heart of Norfolk’s SEND strategy. Our work is grounded in prevention, inclusion and systemic thinking, delivered primarily through the SEND and Inclusion Support Model (SISM). We work in close partnership with schools, families and multi-agency colleagues to promote positive outcomes for children and young people across the county.

We are a supportive and reflective team, committed to professional growth and continuous learning. We offer:

A welcoming, nurturing and collaborative team environment
A comprehensive 20-month AEP development programme structured across four developmental phases, with clear progression expectations and supported by an AEP Competency Framework.
Fortnightly professional supervision and monthly line management
Access to peer and group supervision in line with EPSS processes
A generous CPD offer, including training and shadowing opportunities
Flexible working arrangements

Working closely with NCC partners, EPSS provide universal support to schools across Norfolk through SISM. EPSS play a key role in developing and supporting the Specialist Resource Base (SRB) and Specialist Hubs of Inclusive Practice (SHIP) provision across the county.

About the Role
Across the programme, AEPs will gain substantial experience of EHC Needs Assessment processes alongside opportunities to contribute to prevention and early intervention work, consultation, research, quality assurance and service development activities. Responsibilities and experiences develop over time through the four phases of the programme, with increasing opportunities for contribution, reflection and professional growth.

Following a comprehensive induction programme, and alongside regular CPD / shadowing opportunities, successful candidates will play an active role in the development and delivery of various educational psychology activities, including research, quality assurance and development tasks.

Professional development is supported through regular supervision, access to CPD and shadowing opportunities, and the use of an EPSS Competency Framework. This framework supports the development of knowledge, experience and reflective practice across the breadth of Educational Psychology activity, helping AEPs identify strengths, monitor progress and plan future development.

Key tasks will include the following:

Statutory Work

Supporting EPs with observations and structured information gathering
Assisting with chronologies and background information
Contributing to person-centred planning processes
Supporting preparation for statutory advice

Prevention and Early Intervention (via SISM)

Supporting consultation work with schools
Assisting with systems-level problem-solving and inclusion planning
Contributing to the preparation and co-delivery of training (e.g. Zones of Regulation and other evidence-informed approaches)
Supporting early intervention assessment and information gathering
Gathering and representing the views of children, young people and families

Research, Quality Assurance and Service Development

Supporting the design, development and implementation of projects aligned with Local Authority priorities
Exploring the appropriate use of approved digital technologies, including AI tools, to support research, quality assurance, service development and administrative activities.
Collecting, analysing and presenting information to support evaluation and service improvement
Contributing to EPSS quality assurance activity and helping the service understand and demonstrate its impact
Producing reports and presentations for colleagues and stakeholders
Supporting research, evaluation and service development projects

About You
We are seeking candidates who:

Hold a BPS-accredited Psychology degree.
Can demonstrate a firm and sustained commitment to pursuing a career in Educational Psychology.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Show capacity for self-reflection, professional growth and lifelong learning.
Are interested in psychological thinking, systems-level practice and inclusion.
Are able to work collaboratively and make effective use of supervision and feedback.

If you are passionate about supporting children and young people and are keen to develop within a dynamic and forward-thinking service, we would love to hear from you.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria.

For an informal discussion, please contact: Dr Rachel Wade, Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist via rachel.wade2@norfolk.gov.uk or Dr Ian Mann, Assistant Principal Educational Psychologist via ian.mann@norfolk.gov.uk

These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council:

Competitive salary
Generous holiday entitlement
Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependant on your job role and business need.
Financial benefits such as:
- ‘Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
- A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
- Relocation expenses (where applicable)
- An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
- Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.
- Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
- Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
- A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email.

Closing date: 29 October 2026 at 23:55

We have miles of beautiful coastline and our unique Broads, thriving market towns and a city with a proud cultural heritage. Our economy is growing and driven by innovation in a number of sectors, including energy and food. We also have ambitious plans for new housing and a building programme for schools across Norfolk. Our county a great place to live, work and visit, and is an excellent environment for businesses to start, grow and innovate.

We are the main local authority for Norfolk providing services countywide to more than 850,000 Norfolk residents. We take the lead in critical policy areas, working with 84 elected Members responsible for the strategic local government services in the county.

We provide a high quality service through involving people who use our services to shape and comment on them and by promoting efficiency and innovation.

We work in partnership with local businesses, voluntary organisations and other local authorities such as District and Parish Councils to provide the people of Norfolk with excellent services.

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