Educational psychology

Educational psychologists aim to support children, from birth to young adulthood, to realise their fullest potential. They work with staff, children and young people, parents and other professionals to help identify and support a range of additional support needs as outlined in the Additional Support for Learning Act (2004). They work collaboratively with staff from education and other agencies to develop approaches to meet these needs, so children feel; safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible and included.

The core functions of an Educational Psychologist are consultation, assessment and intervention, research and training and development, with a focus on high quality capacity building.

All our schools and early years settings including funded early years providers have a designated educational psychologist. Where there are concerns about any barriers to learning and wellbeing for a child or young person, the psychologist may:

• consult with parents, teachers and support staff about needs and ways of supporting the young person
• gather a child or young persons views about education, including engagement with learning, wellbeing, attendance, etc.
• gather assessment information. This can include activities such as observations in the classroom or early years, reviewing schools and early years settings-based assessments or using specific assessment tools or approaches
• identify strengths, areas of potential and areas where help is required
• link in with education staff, parents and other professionals to create clear plans for support and determine next steps
• advise on evidence based approaches and strategies that could support the child or young person
• advise on other resources, supports or provision that may be helpful to support a child or young person’s needs

The first point of contact is the head of the school or early years, or for younger children via Health and Social Care Partnership.

Staff from the schools and early years settings will arrange a consultation with the Educational Psychologist, if appropriate. This may be part of a 'Team Around the Child' meeting. Parents/carers will be asked for their consent for this to take place. Schools or early years will fill out a Request for Support.

Educational Psychologists are part of North Ayrshire's staged intervention approach to meeting needs. The expectation would be that within schools and early years settings:

• supports have already been implemented and
• the child is already being supported as part of staged intervention planning

before seeking direct support from an Educational Psychologist.

As part of the initial consultation with parents/carers a decision will be made as to whether a one off intervention/support or ongoing assessment/support is required. An electronic file will be opened for your child.

Parents will always be asked for their consent when a child, or young person, is likely to have the direct involvement of an Educational Psychologist. When the Educational Psychologist is involved, we create an electronic file for notes, letters, or reports. Parents/carers may request any of the file contents by writing to the Principal Psychologist.

The service is subject to ongoing self improvement. We aim to improve the quality of our work and improve outcomes for children and young people by providing support and challenge to the work of the service.

We value feedback and suggestions from our clients. Please speak to the psychologist involved, or contact the Principal Psychologist.