Educational psychology

If a service wishes to discuss a child with an Educational psychologist (EP), they will need to ask parents or carers for permission.

They will arrange a meeting, or ‘consultation’, to find out more about any difficulties and put together an action plan.

The EP will keep a file for the work they do with the child, as agreed with the parents or carers. 

Copies of reports are provided for the parents and school staff. These details are not used for any other purpose, except where a child may be in danger.

Find out more about data protection in the education service on our School records page.
 

Educational psychologists (EPs) work in accordance with the national special educational needs code of practice. 

This can involve working with children who have high levels of special educational needs (SEN) and also providing consultation advice regarding children with less severe needs.

EPs provide training, contribute to planning and development and can undertake action research to inform how best to progress.

EPs also get involved in statutory assessments. This is the legal process for deciding if a pupil has special educational needs. We will get written advice from parents or carers, the child, school, health, psychology, social services and any others involved.

School family support meetings make sure that the agencies working with a child or young person are effective. 

The meetings take place once a term in primary schools and twice a term in secondary schools. 

They bring together staff and professionals from support services to consider children and young people that they’re concerned about. 

The meetings usually include the:

• headteacher
• special educational needs coordinator (SENCo)
• nurse
• education welfare officer
• child and adolescent mental health professional
• social worker

Sometimes other support may be invited, like learning mentors and youth offending team workers.
 

The educational psychology service offers schools and parents training on subjects like strategies, organisational change or to develop new systems. 

Other examples include:

• motivation and learning
• working memory
• early literacy skills
• conflict resolution and management
• bullying and safety in school
• loss and bereavement
• working with children who are asylum seekers and/or refugees
• adolescence
• awareness about special educational needs and disability issues
  
   

Educational psychologists (EPs) are called on to support schools and other educational settings following a wide range of tragic events or trauma. 

This can include deaths of adults or children. We can provide an immediate response and psychological support for the school and community.
 

Many children in Southwark are from homes where English is not spoken as a first language. 

Some children have language difficulties, and this affects the progress they then make. 

Educational psychologists (EPs) assess whether a child's lack of progress or difficulties at school are because of this or whether they have other special educational needs (SEN).

Pre-school children

All children under the age of five can access psychological services.

Looked-after children

Educational psychologists (EPs) work with looked-after children or children in the care of Southwark. 

This can include children who are in foster care.