Opportunities for Educational Psychologists

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is the psychological service of the Department of Education. As a section of the Department, NEPS provides a comprehensive, school-based educational psychological service to all primary, post primary schools and special schools. Through the application of psychological theory and practice, NEPS psychologists support the wellbeing, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners. NEPS has particular regard for children with special educational needs (SEN) and those at risk of educational disadvantage. The area of supporting wellbeing/mental health in schools is a rapidly expanding area of focus for NEPS.

NEPS provides a consultation-based model of service delivery, for the effective and efficient delivery of educational psychology services that best meet the needs of all students in schools. To this end, educational psychologists work with schools offering:

• Casework Service: the provision of a psychological service for an individual student, working directly with the student and/or indirectly with their teachers, parents and/or other professionals
• Support and Development Service: the provision of applied psychology services for teachers and school communities to build their capacity/capability to respond to the needs of all students and those with particular needs. This includes: the provision of advice and consultation services, the provision of training/formal professional learning opportunities, the facilitation of service planning and review meetings with schools and the provision of a NEPS response to schools experiencing a Critical Incident

NEPS engages in the development and implementation of policy with relevant sections of the Department and more broadly, liaises with other Agencies/Services/Departments at local, regional and national level to ensure coordinated cross-sectoral service delivery for children/young people.

The Role

NEPS Educational Psychologists are assigned to a local team of psychologists coordinated by a Senior Team Leading Psychologist. NEPS psychologists provide an educational psychological service for their assigned schools, generally in the catchment area of their assigned office, and may also work collaboratively with colleagues to meet NEPS national service priorities, and regional and team commitments. Within this context, each psychologist takes responsibility for their own day-to-day time and work management.

In addition, NEPS is committed to the application of psychological theory and practice in schools and across the education system to ensure the highest quality support. NEPS psychologists are encouraged to participate in regional and national research and development projects to promote further understanding and knowledge of educational psychological practice in Ireland and internationally. To further this aim, NEPS supports relevant self-initiated study and research.

Responsibilities

Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role:

• Ensure the delivery of a high quality professional educational psychological service to their assigned schools, in accordance with the regional service plan and the business plan of NEPS.
• Support national and regional Support and Development initiatives to build capacity/capability in assigned schools and more broadly in schools within the region.
• Develop co-operative linkages with other educational services in the local team area and region.
• Develop co-operative linkages with other relevant statutory and voluntary bodies in the local team area region.
• Attend regular supervision as a core professional activity to support the delivery of an effective, ethical and high-quality educational psychological service.
• Contribute to the development of the NEPS service through participation at team, regional and national meetings and participation in working groups.
• Adhere to the Code of Professional Ethics of the Psychological Society of Ireland (2019), whether a member of that society or not. Under the Health & Social Care Professionals Act 2005 all psychologists working in NEPS will have to fulfil the requirements for statutory registration.
• Fulfil their functions in line with the policies, protocols and legislative obligations of the Department.
• Engage with continuing professional development (CPD), including a comprehensive induction programme and ongoing opportunities for national, regional and personal continuing professional development. NEPS psychologists are given the opportunity to review their development needs through the Department’s Performance Management and Development System (PMDS).

Essential Requirements

Essential

Candidates must have on or before Thursday 10th of April 2025:

• A recognised qualification at minimum Level 8 (1st or 2nd class honours) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or a NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualifications equivalent in Psychology. Candidates’ Psychology qualification(s) should deem them eligible to hold graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or the British Psychological Society (BPS). (Evidence of graduate membership/eligibility to hold graduate membership will be requested from candidates should they come under consideration for a position)
  • AND
• (a) A post-graduate professional qualification in educational psychology, that includes supervised placement in an educational psychological service working with school-aged children and young people, accredited by the PSI or equivalent body. Students currently undertaking such an accredited post-graduate professional qualification in educational psychology who expect to graduate in 2025, and who meet criterion above will also be considered.
  • OR
• (b) A post-graduate professional qualification in clinical or counselling psychology, accredited by the PSI, or equivalent body, and at least two years continuous supervised post-graduate professional experience employed as a psychologist working with children and young people in education, community or disability settings.

Candidates must also have:

• Experience of engaging in individual casework with children and young people, including experience using consultation skills within a continuum of support framework; administering, interpreting and reporting on a range of psychometric instruments suitable for use with children and young people; formulating multiple data to identify need linked to specific and targeted interventions.
• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Irish Education and school systems, experience working systemically to promote change within an education system, commitment to the ideals and objectives of NEPS/Department of Education and willingness to work within the overall parameters of NEPS/ Department of Education policy and practice.
• The ability to communicate effectively in Irish and/or English;
• A full driving licence (Category B), valid in Ireland, and have access to a suitable vehicle that will enable them to carry out the full mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner.

Hear from our Educational Psychologist colleagues

Patricia
Educational Psychologist

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) mission is to support the personal, social and educational development of all school aged children in education, having particular regard to children with special educational needs. We provide a quality service to schools with a balance between consultation and casework about individual children and work of a preventative nature (support and development). We work together to develop supportive and cohesive teams locally and regionally. We aim to maintain a high standard of professional practice.

Educational psychology is a field that is always growing. In order to be truly effective in service to schools, you need the drive to develop and hone your skills and learning to develop new methods of helping others. NEPS provides frequent, evidenced-based, relevant continuous professional development (CPD) that is pertinent to the job. Colleagues are generous with sharing new resources and training that is available.

Read More About Patricia

Grainne
Educational Psychologist

As Educational Psychologists, we apply psychological theory, research and techniques to support children, young people, their families and schools to promote the emotional and social wellbeing of young people as well as, the development of their language, communication and learning skills. We explore concerns shared by parents, school staff, children and young people through consultation. We use assessment, monitoring and evaluation to put in place appropriate interventions.

As psychologists who have a focus on system-level practice, we are very focused on developing evidence-based whole-school supports and facilitating continuing professional development for school staff to support and enhance the development and wellbeing of all children and young people at school.

Read More About Grainne

Kevin
Educational Psychologist

I initially trained as a primary school teacher and worked in a number of schools before working in a special school for pupils with special education needs. While there, I completed a full time Diploma in Special Education. Through this course and working with an Educational Psychologist and a Clinical Psychologist in my school, I decided to complete a Degree in Psychology through the Open University. Following the completion of that degree I completed the master’s in educational psychology in UCD.

NEPS provided me with opportunities for training in various programmes by national and international speakers such as, Consultation Model, Emotional Coaching and Supervision to mention but a few. NEPS facilitated the attendance at national and international conferences. Working in NEPs gave me the opportunity for individual CPD training in areas of particular interest to me.

Read More About Kevin

Sarah
Educational Psychologist

I did an undergraduate degree in Applied Psychology, gained several years of experience in the education and mental health sectors, and returned to complete a master’s in educational psychology.

I joined NEPS for the opportunity to work consultatively with schools and to support schools to make systemic changes so as to develop their supports for children and young people with additional needs. I hope to contribute to building a system that is trauma-informed, disability aware and socially just.

Read More About Sarah

 

Maire
Educational Consultant

I am an Educational Consultant to schools with whom I work with to support the social, emotional and educational wellbeing of all students. In this role I work directly with students and collaborate with their parents and teachers to work towards agreed outcomes for these students. I also work indirectly with students by providing advice and support to their teachers around aspects of their teaching practice.

Finally, I work with schools and teachers to address their school as a whole body and promote inclusive policies for all students around important issues such as emotional well-being, promoting positive behaviour, SEN (Special Educational Needs) policy, anti-bullying policies and managing Critical Incidents. An important feature of our Consultative work is the collaborative nature of our work with parents and teachers where we engage in a problem-solving approach with key people in a child’s life. In this way we work towards agreed outcomes with parents and teachers using current best practice.

Read More About Maire

 

Helen
Educational Psychologist

I trained as a Primary School Teacher and my motivation to become an educational psychologist came from my first encounter with a NEPS psychologist, shortly after the organisation was set up. I loved how the psychologist ‘brought’ psychology to that meeting, helping me as the class teacher to make a plan to support a specific student in my class. I loved the collaborative nature of the role and decided that this was a role I could be good at. I then completed a degree in psychology and a professional training qualification in educational psychology in UCD.

The role of an Educational Psychologist in NEPS is so varied and involves individual casework with students, consultations with teachers and parents as well as delivering training and workshops to teachers. There are also opportunities to liaise with professionals from other services, which can be very rewarding when trying to develop interventions and support plans for our students with more complex needs.

Read More About Helen