The Educational Psychology Service

Educational Psychologists promote child development and learning mainly with children and young people, aged 0-19 years, through the application of psychology – the scientific study of the mind, human behaviour and relationships. Work is carried out in partnership with individuals and groups of children, teachers and other adults in school and Early Years settings. This can be at an individual, systemic or organisational level. We also work with parents/carers and families, LEA Officers, Health and Social Services and other agencies. Educational psychologists aim to help children and young people through the application of psychology.

Who are we?

All educational psychologists have the following qualifications:

a BPS accredited qualification in psychology;
a teacher qualification, e.g. PGCE;
a minimum of two years teaching experience with children up to age 19;
an accredited postgraduate qualification in Educational Psychology from a recognised training institution;
for Chartered Educational Psychology status – to be Chartered and a full member of the Division of Educational & Child Psychology.

The services we provide

Educational psychologists work with:

Individual children
Groups of children
Schools and colleges
Early Years providers
LEAs
Other agencies
Parents/carers and families

to:

bring a psychological perspective to education;
use psychology to make education more effective;
help the education service to meet the challenges of government legislation by:

- Consultation	- Training
- Consultation	- Problem solving- Early years work
- Observation	- Projects/development
- Assessment	- Research
- Provision of statutory advice	- Multi-agency working
- Direct intervention	-Promotion of inclusion

Consultation

Consultations are usually arranged directly by the school with their link psychologist.

Service Standards

The Educational Psychology Service works in partnership with schools, parents, children and young people and other agencies to identify and assess special educational needs in accordance with the SEN Code of Practice (2001: Education Act 1996).
Educational Psychology Service professional standards are governed by The British Psychological Society codes of ethical and professional conduct.
All Educational Psychologists are chartered or eligible for chartered status.
The Educational Psychological Service provides clients with a service that respects confidentiality, promotes equality of opportunities and does not discriminate on grounds of race, disability, culture, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

You can help us by

Letting us know it there are difficulties keeping appointments.

Providing details such as dates of birth, address and school when you contact us.

Sharing your concerns with us as early as possible.

How to Contact Us

All schools in the Borough have an allocated Educational Psychologist. Please contact the school directly for further information.

In principle we believe it is best for schools, parents and ourselves to work in partnership, but where a parent or other member of the public wishes to contact us directly, they are welcome to do so.