Contract Type: Fixed term contract (until August 2027)

Contract Reason: Trainee position

Secondment Opportunity: Permanent employees are encouraged to apply and will be supported as part of our workforce development commitment

Salary: Soulbury Assistant Educational Psychology Scale Point 2 - £37,265 to Scale Point 4 - £40,015

Hours Per Week: 36

Base Location: Hyde Town Hall, Market Street, Hyde, SK14 1AL

Assessment Date: 8^th May 2026

The Role

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.

Tameside Educational Psychology Service (EPS) is looking for a talented Assistant Educational Psychologist to support the development and growth of our supportive, nurturing and innovative service, to start in January/February 2026.

About the team:

We are building a service that has high expectations of practitioners, but also provides a positive and innovative working environment, where decisions are made as a team and everyone’s contribution is valued. We are involved in influencing and shaping the wider SEND support systems, specifically around support for our most vulnerable pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, neurodiversity, parental imprisonment, literacy needs and the early years.

Our initial model of service delivery was co-produced with Tameside children and young people. We wish to develop a service with our community that reflects the needs of our community. Tameside has an informal partnership service with Salford and Bury EPS which means there will be support and development opportunities across all three LA’s and other Assistant Educational Psychologists to work collaboratively with. We have good links across Greater Manchester and with the University of Manchester. We will have three two trainee Educational Psychologists conducting their doctorate research with us and hold a number of trainee Educational Psychologist placements.

The core values of Tameside Educational Psychology Service are: Kindness, Curiosity, Connection, Authenticity and Reflection. Our mission is to apply psychology collaboratively to facilitate change through hope and creativity.

About the role:

• The role of the Assistant Educational Psychologist is to provide support to the service to meet the Psychological needs of the educational network in Tameside (0-25 years) and beyond.
• To support the team to deliver on commissioned projects and deliver on its statutory duty regarding the SEND / EHCP assessment process.
• To deliver and evaluate training and development opportunities for front line staff.
• To co-ordinate, summarise and feedback on a range of evaluation exercises including the annual impact of the service data gathering.
• To represent the service in a range of forums to promote the key messages of the team and develop and disseminate resources.

About You

We are looking for:

An Assistant Educational Psychologist that is keen to learn and has a desire to progress. They need to:

• Have a minimum of a 2:1 BPS recognised undergraduate degree in Psychology or equivalent.
• Be registered with the British Psychological Society (Graduate basis for registration or Chartership (GBR/GBC).
• Have significant experience working with children with additional needs (minimum of 2 years’ experience) directly in schools or other settings.
• Have proven ability to apply Psychology in practice.
• Excellence organisational skills.
• Have the ability to travel around Greater Manchester as directed by the needs of the service.

All posts require:

• Subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
• Driving Licence and own transport.

You can expect:

• Induction package for new starters.
• Professional Supervision.
• Access to service resources.
• A professional and supportive group of colleagues from across the EP services and wider council.
• Opportunities to be involved in research and projects.
• IT support with email and internet access.
• Administrative support.

About Us

Hear from Jill Colbert OBE, Director of Children’s Services

“When I first joined the council at the beginning of 2025 I was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of my colleagues.

“The reason why I came to Tameside was because I knew we could do fantastic things for our families here.

“Whilst we’re currently a children’s service on a significant improvement journey, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and this is already making a difference for our children.

“I know from the feedback from our Commissioner, Ofsted and our Strategic Improvement Partner, that families are seeing and feeling the impact of the thoughtful and compassionate support delivered by our workforce.

“We know that if we keep children at the centre of our thinking and our actions, we will create meaningful change for them that lasts.

“We are also growing and investing in our future. We have a range of specialist services for children, giving social workers quick access to expert help that makes complex decisions easier and supports better outcomes. Our Social Work Academy is led by people who bring passion to learning. We are strengthening our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have invested in innovation and improvement so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

“Together, we are creating a proud, inclusive, and safe environment where great practice can truly flourish. And I feel incredibly privileged to lead this journey alongside such dedicated colleagues.

“Be a part of something great, be a part of our improvement journey and join us at Team Tameside.”

Our Heart of Support Practice Approach

At Tameside, we believe in:

• Compassion understanding the lived experiences of children and families.
• Curiosity asking questions that lead to deeper insight and better outcomes for children.
• Collaboration working together across services to deliver joined-up support.
• Conversation listening and engaging meaningfully with children, families and professionals.
• Courage leading with courage, making bold and compassionate decisions that put children first.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.

This post is a designated customer facing role under the fluency duty and requires a specified level of spoken English.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here

We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please click here for more information on our guaranteed assessment scheme.

For further information about this role please contact email us on: eps@tameside.gov.uk