Educational Psychologist

Educational Psychologist

Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Open Ended

What do you think Educational Pyschologists do?

Role of the EP

Educational psychologists work in partnership with families and other professionals, to help children and young people achieve their full potential. Educational psychologists support schools and the local authority to improve all children’s experiences of learning.

They use their training in psychology and knowledge of child development to assess difficulties children may be having with their learning. They provide advice and training on how schools might help children to learn and develop. They recommend methods, or develop strategies in partnership with schools, to help a child learn more effectively.

Strategies may include teaching approaches, improvements to learning environments, advice on curriculum materials and behaviour support.

Example

Support with handwriting for a child with dyspraxia

Example

Individual workstation for a child with autism

Example

Exercise programme and resources for a child with sensory needs.

Referrals

I a child is born with a condition that means they may have learning difficulties, or it is clear from an early age they may need extra support to learn or develop, an educational psychologist may be part of an early years multi-agency assessment team.

Once a child is attending pre-school or school their additional support needs may be picked up during play, classroom teaching or the school’s own assessment processes. A teacher may raise concerns and request further assessment, advice or support.

If a parent is concerned their child is struggling at school, they have the right to request a specific assessment (which can include an educational psychology assessment). 

Assessment

The assessment of a child’s additional support needs is not a one-off activity carried out by an educational psychologist. Assessment is part of the day-to day routine of learning and teaching.

This may include: Talking to the child’s current or previous teachers, talking to the child’s parents, analysing the child’s school work and approach to learning, observing the child in the classroom, considering the child’s emotional and social development and behaviour and talking to the child themselves.

In some cases an assessment may be carried out without involving the child directly.

Working with Schools

Educational psychologists work with schools to help them look at the needs of the whole child so they are able to be included fully in class, school and community life.

They provide advice to head teachers and school staff where needed and provide training to help staff to develop skills to support children with specific needs and enhance all children’s learning. They provide advice on target setting for children’s learning plans. They are not responsible for drawing up or implementing plans in schools.

Poll

Would you like to be an educational psychologist?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe

Task

For your assignment write up the roles and responsibilities of an educational pyschologist. Use online research to help you, use UK websites to make sure the information is accurate to UK schools.