Who we support
An Educational Psychologist (EP) supports children and young people aged 0 to 25 with their learning and wellbeing. Usually, their school or education setting arranges this.
We use our knowledge of psychology to help staff, children and their parents or carers understand the situation better. We find what helps them to learn or is stopping them from making progress. Or we might find what helps them to manage their worries.
We help with areas like:
- learning needs
- social and emotional needs and mental health
- communication and interaction
- play and relationships with other children
- sensory or physical difficulties.
How educational psychologists work
First a member of staff will check that you are happy for them to discuss your child or for the EP to meet with your child. If you agree, they will ask you to sign a consent form.
Each child or young person and their situation is different. An EP will work with them in the best way. This might include listening to you, your child and key members of staff. They will find out about your child’s strengths and needs. Then they think about the support your child needs from the adults around them.
They might watch your child in class or do some assessment activities with them. This helps to understand how they learn and to hear their feelings or views.
You might meet in your child’s school or setting, at home or by video call.
Your EP wants to know:
- what is causing concern
- what you are most concerned about
- what you have already tried
- goals and hopes for the future
- strengths, interests, and what currently makes a difference
Then they will plan some actions for you and the teaching staff. They also might join review meetings to see how the plan is going.
As well as working with individual children, we can also work with groups of children. We can support staff with training or help to develop systems and policies.
Other languages
About Educational Psychology explains how we work in Arabic, Bengali, Punjabi, Polish, Romanian and Urdu.
Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments
Some children with special educational needs or disabilities need more support than a school or college normally provide. They may have an Education, Health and Care needs assessment. EPs provide advice when a child is having an EHC needs assessment.
The EHCNA decides if the child needs an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
An EHCP is a legal document that details their needs, and the support they will receive.
