Salford Educational Psychology Service is an evidence based, consultation-led service. Our work starts with collaborative and empowering conversations with the people who know the child/ young person and their situation best, as these types of conversation have been found to be crucial in effecting positive change for children, teachers and families.
To support the inclusion of children and young people, all schools and colleges in Salford have a named link Educational Psychologist (EP) and can access to the following with no charge:
The Local Authority will also provide statutory services to schools, settings and partner agencies. There will be no charge for these statutory services which include:
In addition to the above, schools, settings and partner agencies can purchase a range of additional packages of support through a service level agreement (SLA), as ‘traded services’. These can either be chosen from the brochure or can be specifically designed to meet your individual requirements.
The exact nature and time required for the work will be determined at the Autumn Term Planning Meeting, which is offered to all schools in Salford. Possible ways in which schools often use EP time include the following:
To build capacity and to work preventatively, the EPS offers a package system (bronze, silver and gold packages). All packages include training and development work which may include individual or group work as well as bespoke projects/research specific for your setting as a whole school and/or pupils with identified SEND. Training and development work will be supported by the school’s assigned Assistant Educational Psychologist, with EP oversight. Casework is EP led and agreed with the SENCo; the number of per year is cases dependent on the package.
Assistant Educational Psychologists support many of the functions of an Educational Psychologist including, information gathering, observation, individual and group interventions and training delivery. These professionals have the prerequisites to apply for the doctoral training in Educational Psychology and all of their work is supervised by a qualified EP. Their time can be used to support the needs of a schools and colleges in a cost effective way.
Your link Educational Psychologist will advise you of activities that can be supported or delivered by an Assistant EP.
Invoices will be sent out at two points in the year, Spring Term and the end of the Summer Term. You will be charged at each time point for half of the amount of your package. Unused time will not be rolled over into the following academic year.
The service operates an ethical trading policy. This means as an LA service we don’t operate as a regular business might (e.g. on a first come first served basis).
We feel we have a duty of care across the city and try to prioritise areas of highest need while maintaining service access city wide. It is essential the Educational Psychology Service makes a contribution to the education and outcomes of all children and builds capacity through project work and research rather than limiting access to individual children. We prioritise contracts that are likely to support us to do this.
Before an initial consultation is arranged for a child or young person, consent must be obtained from parents/carers or the young person, depending on their age.
Examples of individual child assessments
Cognitive assessment
A cognitive assessment involves a child or young person completing tasks designed to evaluate a range of skills that underpin learning. It can provide information about how pupils/students acquire and process information and can identify strengths and weaknesses that can be used to inform future teaching and learning.
Attainment tests
An attainment test (eg the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test – WIAT) can be used to determine the stage at which a child or young person is at in terms of their literacy and numeracy skills. A selection of these subtests can be used to plan the next steps in a child’s learning and to monitor responses to intervention.
Dynamic assessment
Dynamic Assessment (DA) incorporates a range of methods for exploring learning potential using prompts, cues and mediation. It enables a deep understanding of cognitive processes ie tactics, strategies, habits, modes of thinking, approaching and solving problems. The main focus is on determining the ‘zone of proximal development’ that lies between the level of performance the child can reach unassisted and the level attained with adult assistance.
Access arrangements for examinations
The JCQ form 8 or other relevant access arrangement format can be completed by an EP following the required assessments.
Developmental and play based assessment
A developmental assessment can be carried out to determine at what developmental age or stage a young child is at. They are usually carried out via standardised testing or observation and use of checklists.
Observations
Observations of children within the classroom or playground can be conducted to gather information on the child’s presentation within the school context.
Gathering child views
Child views are a vital source of information when considering how best to support children and young people in their education. Salford Educational Psychology Service draw on a range of tools for this purpose including Talking Mats (a non-verbal, visual communication tool).
Other assessments include:
- Neuro-Psychological Assessments eg NEPSY
- Auditory and Working Memory Assessments
- Functional Analysis of Behaviour
- Personal Construct Psychology based assessment
- Beck Youth Inventory (eg depression, anxiety, self-concept)
- Resiliency Scale Assessment
Example of therapeutic work
Motivational interviewing
The aim is to help children and young people move through the stages of change, supporting them to plan for change, and to enact and achieve the positive change they have found the motivation to achieve. There is an expectation that members of relevant staff would be involved at the end of the intervention to support the child in implementing the changes.
Video Interaction Guidance (VIG)
This intervention aims to improve relationships and interactions through looking in detail at filmed clips of the interactions in question. One effective use of VIG is in helping to enhance interactions within adult-child pairings, for example in order to improve a parent/carer-child relationship. By focussing on reviewing edited clips of positive moments in the interaction, the adult is empowered to build on their strengths and work towards their goal. This is a fun intervention which has a strong research base. A standard VIG intervention (3 cycles) is around 7 hours.
Theraplay
Theraplay is a child and family therapy for building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. Theraplay interactions focus on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge. Theraplay sessions create an active, emotional connection between the child and parent or caregiver, resulting in a changed view of the self as worthy and lovable and of relationships as positive and rewarding.
Examples of group interventions
Resilience groups
This group intervention is for those vulnerable students who constantly seek adult re-assurance and advice within the school environment. It aims to build their confidence by developing positive strategies to enhance their independence and organisational skills.
Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
This is an evidence-based intervention that supports groups of children to manage anxiety, stress and/or behavioural triggers. Evidence based courses for groups include: ‘Think Good: Feel Good’, ‘Friends For Life’, and ‘Why Try’ (sessions according to need).
Circle of Friends
This small group intervention is focused on helping an individual child’s difficulties. It draws on the help and social support of the whole class and then focuses on the support of 5/6 peers and a familiar adult. The psychologist will lead the whole class session; provide support to set up the small circle of friends; and consult with the familiar adult helping them to prepare and lead the subsequent meetings.
Social Skills Groups
The group consists of sessions on improving communication, co-operation, managing difficult situations and building/maintaining relationships. This group work is suitable for all ages.
Pyramid Club (After-school club intervention)
This is an evidence-based intervention that supports children who are shy, anxious, withdrawn or quiet children who struggle with friendships and internalise, rather than externalise, their difficulties. You will receive training to support you to become a club leader, providing you with the tools and resources to run a 10 week after-school club with a group of around 10 children (Year 3 to Year 8). The club will help them to; build confidence, develop their coping skills, improve their emotional wellbeing, improve relationships with their peers, participate more, and achieve higher at school.
Attention and Listening Skills Intervention
It is well understood that children’s attentions skills are important for all aspects of learning, language and play development. This training and intervention package provides Early Years and Key Stage 1 staff with the opportunity to develop their understanding and practice in improving children’s attention skills.
The 1.5 hour training session supports staff to increase their understanding of attention skills and how they develop, and to set up and run a small group intervention for children. The training package includes access to an Activity Pack including a manual, session plans and 40 user-friendly colour coded activity cards, which staff can use to plan and run their group sessions.
Working Memory (MeeMo)
Working Memory is our ability to hold onto information and process / use it in some way and has been demonstrated to be the single most important cognitive process that predicts children’s academic achievement outcomes at all assessment stages. The MeeMo is a 6 week working memory card based intervention that supports a whole class to improve their working memory through rehearsal.
Lego therapy
Lego therapy is a social skills intervention for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition or related social communication difficulties. Lego therapy involves children occupying specific roles within a structured group context and working collaboratively to build Lego models.
Solution circles
A solution circle is a systematic 30 minute session which can be facilitated by an Educational Psychologist. It involves a small group of adults, one of which is the ‘problem presenter’ who has a problem that needs a way forward or solution. It follows a set structure and aims to use the resources, ideas and expertise within the group to develop positive solutions with the problem that is presented.
Circle of adults
The circle of adults’ intervention is a problem solving approach where the Educational Psychologist works with key adults in the school. The aim is to build an in-depth perspective of the emotional needs that underlie challenging behaviours and to agree strategies that promote the wellbeing and inclusion of children with complex needs. The approach provides staff support and has been positively evaluated in a range of settings, including primary, secondary and special schools.
The EPS offers training in all areas of SEND. Below are some examples of the type of training that we offer. The EPS also offer individualised and bespoke training on request and this can be discussed further with your link Educational Psychologist. The prices of the training packages outlined in this brochure are dependent on the length of training required. Please enquire for prices.
Precision teaching
This single session ‘hands on’ course promotes a skills mastery teaching approach and is suitable for teachers, learning mentors and teaching assistants. This course has specific reference to basic educational skills in literacy, numeracy and other curriculum areas.
Looked After Children
The EPS are aware of how vulnerable the Looked After population of pupils are at times of transition. Therefore the Educational Psychology team can offer:
- The use of the LAC transition tool, which can be used to estimate the relative level of risk regarding transition for each child and then recommend relevant action according to risk level.
- A transition training twilight which focuses on the importance of planning for transition, Attachment theory with a focus on transition, strategies for good practice and an introduction to the transition tool
Understanding Autism
This workshop aims to provide hands on experience of what teachers can do to support autism within school. The workshop aims to provide an introduction to the National Autistic Society SPELL framework which will facilitate you to identify changes you can make to the classroom. It also provides time to explore a variety of resources and activities that can be implemented within the classroom.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
This course raises awareness of ADHD and explores techniques and interventions to promote positive outcomes in a school setting for children with ADHD.
Understanding Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
This single session course looks at the impact of FAS on the pupil’s response to teaching and learning at different ages. Strategies to support pupils within the school context are outlined and evidence based.
Attachment
This training can be delivered within three formats; a twilight session, a half-day or a full-day with each level being designed for whole staff delivery in schools or settings.
Twilight session
In this introductory session, you will learn about how attachment has been studied, how secure and insecure attachments develop and some of the key concepts linked to attachment theory. The course will make theoretical concepts easily accessible and will include activities that will support your thinking around how to meet the needs of children with attachment-related behavioural difficulties. It will also emphasise the importance of you, the adult in school, as a secondary attachment figure.
Half-day session
This session includes all features of the twilight session, plus a more in depth look at the research underpinning attachment theory; the neuropsychology of attachment; and the different types of insecure attachment style. We will look at how children with insecure attachments may present within the classroom, depending on their particular attachment style, and how you can meet the needs of children with insecure attachments in your settings.
Full-day session
This session includes all features of the half-day session, plus a more in depth look at the parenting styles that can lead to the development of each attachment style; the effects of healthy vs. toxic shame; and more opportunities for group discussion and activities around meeting the needs and children and young people with insecure attachment styles.
Emotion coaching
This training often works well following the completion of the Attachment Training (as above). It will support staff to deal with behaviour using a structured 3 step approach, from the adult’s point of view as well as the young person’s. Staff will also develop their skills to remain calm and consistent, which helps to improve staff and pupil relationships.
Examples of systemic work
The EPS also holds advanced research skills, and are pleased to be able to offer schools research packages to suit their individual needs.
Example research packages include:
- Identifying the effectiveness of your schools Special Educational Needs (SEN) and behaviour support systems
- Pupil views of the effectiveness of the reward system
- Parent views of the SEN support systems
- Pupils views of particular issues such as bullying, gambling, self-harm behaviours in school
Examples of projects that we have been involved in include:
- Setting up enhanced provision
- Developing the emotional well being of staff and pupils
- Encouraging positive playground behaviour
Emotionally Friendly Schools (EFS) programme
The Emotionally Friendly Schools (EFS) programme is a flexible, whole-school approach to improve children's mental health and wellbeing supported by Salford Educational Psychology Service. The EFS supports the process of becoming more emotionally friendly by focusing on four key areas:
- Staff wellbeing and school ethos
- Whole school and classroom practice
- Assessing children's needs
- Supporting individual children
We have developed both primary and secondary versions of the EFS and online versions of the manuals are also available. We will take you through a cyclical process in which you plan and take action using a comprehensive whole-school approach. The programme includes a manual, training, ways to audit your school and a planning meeting. Further training is available on selected areas included in the Supporting Individual Children section of the manual, for example:
- Self harm and young people
- Depression and young people
- Anxiety and young people
- Loss and bereavement
More information is available on the Emotionally Friendly Settings website.
The Right to Play Project
Children's right to play is enshrined within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The Educational Psychology Service has developed whole school staff training sessions, which involve thinking about what play is, its link to the UNCRC, and the benefits and barriers to play.
The training focuses on three interdependent aspects of good play provision (time, space and permission) in order to reflect on and plan opportunities to best support all children’s access to play in school. Sessions have been developed for primary and secondary schools, including specialist settings. Schools can be further supported through development work which may focus on a particular aspect of play access, eg developing play policies, playground provision, and alternatives to play withdrawal.
Please see our position statement (Adobe PDF format, 159kb) outlining our commitment as an EP service to promoting children's access to their right to play.