Parents and Carers

The Involvement of an Educational Pyschologist

If an educational psychologist (EP) is asked to become involved with your child, it is usually because you, the teacher or other professional is concerned about their progress or development.

What is an Educational Psychologist?

All EPs have been Teacher, they have a first degree in psychology and a higher degree in educational psychology. They know about:

  • How children develop
  • Effective teaching and learning approaches
  • Positive behaviour management
  • Specific difficulties that affect learning, for example, dyslexia or autism
  • Ways to intervene with children and young people to help them change
  • Assessment methods
  • Legislation, local policy and procedures and national research

What do Educational Psychologists do?

EPs work with and on behalf of children and young people up to the age of 19 years. They do not work with children without the permission of parents and carers, but they do work in consultation with others to meet the needs of children. When an EP is asked to become involved with a child, the first step is to ask the school to arrange a consultation meeting that involves parents or carers, teachers and an EP. The meeting is to share and explore the concerns and to agree a plan of action to help the child make better progress. The plan may involve the EP working with the child's teachers or with the child directly.

In what ways would an Educational Psychologist work directly with your child?

EPs only work directly with children when it is agreed in a consultation meeting that it would help to address the concerns that have been raised.

EPs often begin by observing the child in the classroom. The EP will want to see how your child normally gets on there and may ask you not to tell your child about this, in case it changes his or her behaviour.

When EPs meet children and young people they may want to find out what the child thinks their strengths and difficulties are, they may want to do some assessment work or they may want to talk with the child about what could help them cope better.

What should you tell your child about meeting an educational psychologist?

Parents and carers know their children best and know how to prepare them for new experiences.

It is usually best to tell children the truth in a way that does not worry them. If you want more advice on what to tell your child, contact the EP (see contact details).

How will an educational psychologist tell you and your child's teachers about the work they have done?

After EPs work with children, they tell parents and teachers about their involvement. This information may be given verbally, in writing or at a further meeting.