Head of Assessment in the Counselling Psychology Qualification Leadership Team

Role: Head of Assessment in the Counselling Psychology Qualification Leadership Team

Location: Remote with attendance at meetings in Leicester, London or online

Reports to: Qualification Committee Chair and BPS Office

Hours: 4 Sessions per month (1 session equals 3.5 hours)

Remuneration: This is a paid role

Duration: Open Ended

The Qualification Leadership Team (QLT) is seeking to appoint a Chartered Member of the society who is a Counselling psychologist to take on the role of Head of Assessment (HoA).

The role of the Qualification Leadership Team is to formulate and manage all matters relating to policy, procedure and assessment of their qualification.

The Qualification Leadership Team's work is overseen by the society's Qualifications Committee (QC) which consists of the Leads of all society qualifications.

The Counselling Psychology Qualification Leadership Team is concerned with the delivery and assessment of the society's Qualification in Counselling Psychology (Stage 2), which confers eligibility to apply to the society for Chartered Membership and Full Membership of the Division of Counselling Psychology, and also confers eligibility apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Counselling Psychologist.

Role Overview

The Head of Assessment has oversight and management of the assessment process including quality assurance and assessor training.

They act on behalf of the QLT in all matters concerning the design and implementation of the Qualification's assessment framework.

The Head of Assessment has responsibility for advising on future development and management of the Qualification and is supporting the Qualification Lead in ensuring that the qualification meets the requirements of the HCPC.

Essential Criteria

The Head of Assessment must be a Counselling Psychologist (with Chartered Membership of the society) and a member of the appropriate BPS Division (desirable) with at least two years' post Qualification experience and registered with HCPC.

Role Description

• be responsible for the efficient running of the assessment process in conjunction with the Office identifying trends and solutions and providing reports for the QLT
• appoint the Assessment Deputy(ies) (where appropriate), Assessors, External Examiner and any other positions as required in conjunction with the Office
• support and advise the Assessment Deputy(ies) and Assessors including the production and delivery of induction materials and training workshops
• with the Assessment Officer carry out regular audits of assessors ensuring that they have undertaken the appropriate training and provide additional training as required
• report to the QLT on the effectiveness of the assessment process making proposals for continuous improvement when required
• review the External Examiner annual report and draft a response and action plan to present to the QLT.

Competencies

• knowledge and understanding of the processes of examinations and ideally the Qualification in Counselling Psychology
• experience of examining at a postgraduate level in psychology
• experience of establishing and maintaining standards on behalf of an organisation
• experience of assessing people including being part of a Board of Assessors, or similar process in any other context
• experience of leading/promoting change/continuous improvement

Personal qualities

• consultative leadership style
• good attention to detail
• ability to withstand pressure

How to Apply

To view the full role description or for further information please contact Nathaniel Rawes, Assessments and Awards Officer, by emailing [email protected].

To apply please submit a Statement of Interest online.

The closing date for applications is 11.59pm on 01 December 2024;

We expect to have the new Head of Assessment in post by 01 February 2025 with training being undertaken throughout January with the previous Head of Assessment.