Educational Psychology Service

The role of an Educational Psychologist

An Educational Psychologist provides guidance and support to schools on a range of issues including special educational needs. They work with parents, carers and practitioners to identify and support the special educational needs of individual children both at home and school.

Educational Psychologists are registered with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC). They have a degree in psychology and have undertaken further study at masters and/or doctoral level to specialise in applying psychology to education.

How an educational psychologist can help my child

Educational psychologists help children and young people from birth through to the age of 25. They assess how best to help your child/young person through observing and working with them at home and school.

The educational psychologist works closely with you and the staff at your child’s school to plan a programme of support for your child. Programmes of support may include:

• Visiting schools on a regular basis using a problem-solving approach called ‘consultation’
• Special training for teachers and other staff/professionals
• Providing strategies and research to support teaching and learning
• Working with parents/carers to help minimise difficulties at home and at school
• Working with schools and partner organisations to provide guidance and support
• Working with other key professionals (e.g. Social Care, Speech and Language Therapy, Cheshire East Autism Team)

How I can get help from an Educational Psychologist

The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) at the school will contact an educational psychologist after deciding that your child might benefit from their help. This will usually take place after your child/young person has received a  SEN Support Plan and this has been reviewed with you.  The school will then ask for your permission to provide this specialist educational psychology support and you will be asked to complete a parental consent form.  Information from this consultation will then help to inform your child/young person’s  SEN support plan.

If you think your child needs help but you have not been contacted by the school then you should speak to your child’s teacher or the  SENCo at the school.

One Minute Guides

• The Educational Psychology Team - One Minute Guide (PDF, 138KB)
• Consultation - One Minute Guide (PDF, 124KB)
• Assessment - One Minute Guide (PDF, 270KB)
• Memory - One Minute Guide (PDF, 116KB)