Job title: Educational Psychologist at the National Educational Psychological Service
Employer: Department of Education and Youth
Location: Donegal
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 11th June 2026
Salary: Starting at €65,783
About the Employer
The mission of the Department of Education and Youth is to ensure that all children and young people have access to a positive learning experience and to facilitate them, through learning, to realise their full potential and contribute to Ireland’s social, economic and cultural development.
The Department’s goals are to enable the provision of high-quality education and improve the learning experience to meet the needs of all children and young people in schools and early learning and care settings; to ensure equity of opportunity in education and that all children and young people are supported to fulfil their potential; together with partners, to provide strategic leadership and support for the delivery of the right systems and infrastructure for the sector; and to ensure organisational excellence and innovation.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is the psychological service of the Department of Education and Youth. As a section of the Department, NEPS provides a comprehensive, school-based educational psychological service to all primary, post primary schools and special schools. NEPS is led by a National Director, Assistant Directors and local Senior Team Leaders.
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 marginalisation due to educational disadvantage. The area of supporting wellbeing/mental health in schools is a rapidly expanding area of focus for NEPS.
About 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.
The Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role may include some or all of the following:
Ensuring the delivery of a high quality professional educational psychological service to their assigned schools, and to other schools, as appropriate, in accordance with the Regional Service Plan, the Business Plan of NEPS and the Statement of Strategy of the Department of Education and Youth.
Supporting national and regional Support and Development initiatives to build capacity/capability in assigned schools and more broadly in schools within the region.
Developing co-operative linkages with other educational services in the local team area and region.
Developing co-operative linkages with other relevant statutory and voluntary bodies in the local team area region.
Attending regular supervision as a core professional activity to support the delivery of an effective, ethical and high-quality educational psychological service.
Contributing to the development of the NEPS service through participation at team, regional and national meetings and participation in working groups.
Adhering 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.
Fulfilling their functions in line with the policies, protocols and legislative obligations of the Department.
Engaging 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).
Supporting the training placements of Trainee Educational Psychologists in NEPS through the provision of professional supervision and guidance.
About You
Candidates must have on or before 11th of June 2026:
1. 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
2. (a) A post‑graduate professional qualification in educational psychology, that includes supervised practice 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 successfully complete their course of study in 20263, and who meet criterion 1 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:
3. 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.
4. 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 Youth and willingness to work within the overall parameters of NEPS/ Department of Education and Youth policy and practice.
5. The ability to communicate effectively in Irish and/or English;
6. 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.
Further information including details on how to apply for this position is available on www.publicjobs.ie.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 11th June, 2026.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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