Who are educational psychologists (EPs)?
EPs are qualified and registered practitioner psychologists who work in educational settings and in the local community. Their trainingand experience supports their understanding of the ways children learn, think and behave, and the systems and establishments where learning and development takes place.
Who do EPs work with?
EPs work alongside a range of professionals, to support young people (0-25) and families.
EPs work in educational settings to provide:
- Staff awareness raising, coaching, supervision and training
- Project and Research & Evaluation activities to support evidence-informed practice
- Policy development and audit of needs
- a service for children and young people from birth upwards with a variety of needs, including:
- social, emotional and behavioural needs
- cognitive, learning, mental health and well-being issues
- speech and language needs
- medical and physical needs.
Sometimes teachers require additional support or advice to help them understand the context of a child's specific needs or learning behaviours, so that they can take the right steps to help the child. An EP can help by providing specialist advice, guidance, support or assessment.
What does an EP do?
EPs apply psychology to support schools, children’s centres, nurseries and the wider community to help support children and young people to get the best from their education and from life. EPs work at the individual, child and family level, and at group and organisational level.
Child / Family work
- An EP may work with a child or young person because there are concerns about their progress or wellbeing.
- EPs may meet with the child/young person individually, and will always work jointly with the people who know and support the child or young person. This is usually the child's parents/carers, teachers and other involved professionals.
The EP might see the child/young person in their educational setting, or at the child’s home to carry out observations and individual assessments and/or meet with staff and parents/carers.
This type of work is usually called individual child focused work.
Group / Organisational work
- EPs support educational settings (e.g. schools, early years settings and colleges) by providing training, working with groups of children or adults, and carrying out project and development work.
- EP support families (parents/carers) and they may offer community consultation or drop-in sessions
- EPs also provide support in a crisis situation, for example if a death, serious injury or accident occurs within the community of a school or setting.
How are parents/carers involved in work about their child?
EPs always aim to work closely with parents/carers. The parent / carer's knowledge is very important in helping to understand the child/young person's strengths and difficulties and find ways to support and help them in future. It is important that parents/carers are actively involved in discussions, decision making and actions.
Before an EP begins any work on behalf of an individual child the parent or carer must give their agreement to the school or setting for the work to begin (written and informed consent).
What can you do if you are concerned about your child's progress or development?
If your child is of school age
In the first instance, discuss your concerns with the child's class teacher or the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). The school will consider the issues raised and work with you and your child. You can also talk directly with an educational psychologist by telephone.
Drop-in sessions are available, where you can confidentially discuss your concerns with an EP and seek advice. Some areas also offer multi-agency themed 'surgeries' (advertised in schools) so that parents can book a slot to discuss concerns with the educational psychologist and other professionals.
If your child is pre-school age
If you are worried about a child's development, progress, learning, or behaviour, the first step would be to discuss your concern with the teacher or special educational needs co-ordinator in the pre-school setting. If concerns remain you, or the Pre-school staff membercan make contact with the local Early Years Action Group where your concerns will be listened to, and suggestions of ways forward will be agreed. This may include the involvement of an Educational Psychologist, an Advisory Teacher, or another Intergrated Services for Learning Early Years SEND (ISL EYSEND) member of staff.