Educational psychologists help children and young people facing challenges in educational settings by assessing needs, consulting with others, and providing interventions. They focus on academic, emotional, social, and physical needs. A typical week involves observing and assessing students, consulting with teachers and parents, running interventions and training, and collaborating with other professionals. Educational psychologists undergo doctoral training and work in schools, authorities, and independently. While the work faces challenges like limited resources, it is also varied, allows influence over policy, and provides opportunities to help students.
1. 1
The Work of the Educational Psychologist
Lucy Harding
Educational
Psychologist
Brighton & Hove City Council
2. 2
• What is an Educational Psychologist?
• What do we do?
• Areas we cover
• How do we do it?
• A Typical Week
• Training Route
• Pay and Conditions
• Benefits and Challenges
3. What is an Educational
Psychologist?
Educational psychology is concerned with
children and young people in educational and
early years settings.
Educational psychologists tackle challenges
such as learning difficulties, social and
emotional problems, issues around disability
as well as more complex developmental
disorders.
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4. Common areas of focus
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Academic / Cognitive needs – specific
learning difficulties (literacy; numeracy;
language; memory), learning
difficulties/disabilities, access to
appropriate educational provision.
Emotional needs – attachment, anxiety,
motivation, school refusal.
Social needs – social communication
disorders, social interaction, bullying
Physical/Medical needs – physical
disability, epilepsy, autism, deaf, blind
These are not mutually exclusive.
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What EPs do
Assessment children & young
people (3-25 years)
Consultation
Interventions
Training
Staff support and wellbeing
Educational policy and
strategy
SEN systems
Multiagency working
Research
Critical incident support
8. 8
Interventions With Children & Young
People
Anger Management
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
groups
Solution focused therapy
Family work (e.g. school refusal)
Video interaction guidance
10. Where do EPs work?
Local education authorities employ the
majority of educational psychologists. They
work in schools, colleges, nurseries and
special units, primarily with teachers and
parents. They regularly liaise with other
professionals in education, health and social
services. A growing number work as
independent or private consultants.
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11. 11
Training Routes
• Undergraduate Degree in
Psychology
• 3 year Doctorate
Highly competitive!
http://careers.bps.org.uk/area/educational
12. A Typical Week.....
It’s never the same!
AM PM
Monday Observing a child at Infant School
with autism and meeting the
teacher and parent.
Writing report and liaising with other
professionals.
Tuesday Planning training session. Running training for school support
staff on emotional literacy.
Wednesday Running a focus group with pupils
at risk of exclusion for a piece
action research.
1:1 session with Yr 5 teacher on
supporting children with attachment
difficulties
Thursday Meeting with a social worker and
foster carer of a Child in Care
Admin
Friday Attending a Team around the
Child meeting for a child with
complex epilepsy.
Home visit for a family with a child
with ASC, whom I have been working
with for the past two years.
13. The Important bit!
The pay for an EP is in accordance with the Soulbury pay
Scale (approx):
• 1 £33,934
• 2 £35,656
• 3 £37,378
• 4 £39,100
• 5 £40,822
• 6 £42,544
• 7 £44,165
• 8 £45,786
• 9 ** £47,305
• 10 ** £48,825
• 11 ** £50,243
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Too many schools
Multiple agendas
Perspective/ paradigm conflicts
To label or not?
Equal opportunities
Resource issues
Some challenges
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Varied and flexible
Naturalistic settings
High levels of autonomy
Use a range of perspectives
Well regarded
Power to influence
Potentially very creativeWhat’s Good
About The Job
Notas do Editor
Individual e.g. children, parents, teachers
Small group e.g. training for parents
Classe.g.
Whole school – training,
Family
Community – YOS,
Local Authority
Across agencies
Age range
There are varying psychological frameworks that we work to:-
Psychodynamic – Bion, Freud – looking at relationships and a persons’ sense of self – projection and transference.
Systemic – exploring a person’s concern in the context of their ‘system’- family, school etc..
Solution focused – supporting a person view their concern in terms of ways forward.
CBT – looking at the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
Most EPs work using most of these frameworks interchangeably to form an holistic and responsive approach.
Other professionals could include CAMHS, social worker, foster carer, SEN team
Patch of schools / get to know families well
It is preferred that applicants have a 2.1 or above in a first psychology-based degree that grants them eligibility for Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS)
There is funding avaiable for some trainees.
You will also need at least two years relevant experience of working with children and young people. This can include roles such as assistant educational psychologist, teacher, classroom or learning assistant, SEN co-ordinator or research activity with children and young people. Other relevant experience is also considered
Condiotions – 28 days holiday
Based in office as a base
Each authority is a bit different re how thry work