Educational psychologists aim to support children, from birth to young adulthood, to realise their fullest potential. They work with staff, pupils, parents and other professionals to help identify wellbeing and additional support needs. They develop approaches to meet these needs, so children feel; safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible and included.
Core functions are assessment, consultation, intervention and research and training and development, with focus on high quality capacity building.
Educational psychologists
All our schools and early years’ centres have a designated educational psychologist. Where there are concerns for a young person, the psychologist may:
- consult with young people, parents and teachers about learning and wellbeing
- gather information, sometimes by observing in the classroom or nursery
- identify strengths and areas where help is required
- link with parents and other professions to ensure collaboration
- advise schools, parents and others about support needs
Raise a concern about behaviour or learning
Initial contact should be made through the head of the school or nursery, or for very young children via Health and Social Care Partnership staff. If appropriate, a consultation will be arranged with the educational psychologist. This may be part of a Team Around the Child (TAC) meeting. Educational Psychologists are part of North Ayrshire's staged intervention approach to the meeting of needs, this means we will normally get involved at a certain point, after initial school action.
What happens next?
Recommendations and an action plan for the child will be agreed. Parents/carers will receive a copy.
Access to files
When the educational psychologist is involved with a child, a file is created to keep copies of notes and any letters or reports. Parents, or carers, can arrange to see the file by writing to the Principal Psychologist.
Quality assurance
The service is subject to ongoing self improvement activities that aim to improve the quality of provision, and outcomes for the learner, by providing support and challenge to the work of the service.
Suggestions or complaints
We value feedback and suggestions from our clients. To comment on the service you have received you can speak directly to the psychologist involved, or contact the Principal Psychologist.