Educational Psychology Service: parents and carers

What to expect from Salford Educational Psychology Service.

What is an Educational Psychologist?

Educational Psychologists (EPs) are trained to understand how children and young people learn and behave. We usually have two degrees (undergraduate and doctorate).

Sometimes Educational Psychologist are called ‘EPs’ or ‘Ed Psychs’.

EPs work together with families, schools, educational settings and other services to work towards positive outcomes for children and young people up to the age of 25. We also work with a range of other professionals, such as childminders, teachers, Speech and Language Therapists or doctors.

What do we do?

EPs aim to help schools and settings meet young people’s needs in an informed and inclusive way. EPs are generally asked to become involved with young people who are experiencing some difficulties, to help provide a clearer understanding of their strengths and needs, and look at ways to best help the young person to make progress.

EPs may support young people with:

• Learning and developing new skills (cognition and learning).
• Talking, listening and communicating with others (communication and interaction).
• Making friends, managing their emotions or behaviours (social, emotional or mental health).
• Seeing, hearing, getting around or processing sensory information (sensory and/or physical).

How do we become involved?

Before our involvement

If you have concerns about your child or young person you may want to discuss these with the class teacher or key person and/or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). The SENCo may then speak with Salford Educational Psychology Service if they would like further support and advice.

If Educational Psychology involvement is appropriate, a member of staff will speak to you about how we might help your child or young person and you will be asked if you would like to go ahead with Educational Psychology Involvement. The school or setting will then arrange our visit.

During our involvement

We meet with you to find out your views about your child or young person’s interests, strengths, needs and future goals and aspirations. You know your child or young person best so your views are invaluable in developing an understanding of their strengths and needs.

Our involvement might also include: meeting with your child or young person to gather their views, assessing their strengths and needs, observations, person-centred meetings, looking at their work, and individual or group intervention.
Next steps will be agreed so that everyone is clear who is doing what and by when.

A written record will be sent to the school or setting and to you.

Where possible we will review the outcomes set with yourself and staff from the school or setting.

How do we work?

The above diagram shows how we meet the needs and support the wellbeing of all young people across Salford. We go through a process of assess, plan, do and review. We work on different levels, such as supporting with individual children and young people (casework), with vulnerable groups, such as the Virtual School Team, and with all young people via projects like Emotionally Friendly Schools.

What other types of activities do we do in schools?

• Meetings with young people, families, carers and other professionals.
• Liaising with schools and multi agencies, such as speech and language therapists.
• 1:1 sessions (consultations) with staff (teachers, teaching assistants and SENCos) to support their understanding of children/young peoples’ SEN.
• Training for staff.
• Pupil observations, assessments or direct work with pupils.
• Writing reports.
• Signposting to other appropriate services.

What if more support is needed?

The child or young person

Most children’s needs are met at SEN Support.

If needed, the school can request additional educational support by requesting an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).