Educational Psychology Service
What we do
Educational Psychologists (EPs) aim to improve the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with additional support needs by identifying educational needs and giving advice about what might help.
We may do this in a variety of different ways including:
- working with others to assess a child’s additional support needs
- individual work with a child and their family
- training for parents, school staff and other professionals
- helping education in Edinburgh to develop policy and practice
- helping to improve services for children and families through research
All council schools and early learning and childcare settings have an educational psychologist who works alongside the support staff at the school. Over 30% of children in Edinburgh and across Scotland have additional support needs. Most supports are agreed and put in place between families and schools without involving the educational psychology service.
Working Together
When schools feel they need further advice on a child or young person's support needs, they will ask permission to involve their school Educational Psychologist. Educational Psychologist involvement ordinarily starts with a consultation or by attending the child or young person's next planning meeting.
We will only become involved with the permission of parent / carers. The EP will also obtain consent for any direct work from the young person if they are 12 or over. In exceptional circumstances a young person of this age could agree to Educational Psychologist involvement without the consent of their parent / carer. However, whenever possible we will seek consent from both the young person and thier parent / carer.
How we can help
Educational Psychologists work alongside families, teachers and others to improve the learning and health and wellbeing of children and young people. This is normally because a child or young person has complex support needs.
As part of our work we may:
- meet with parent /carers and others who know the child or young person to hear about their strengths and concerns
- contribnute to a Getting it Right for Every Child plan
- talk to and offer advice to teachers or others
- observe in class or in the playground
- speak to the child or young person about their school experience
- look at their work or do some work with them
- offer parents and carers support and advice
- work with others to develop a learning profile
Families know their child best and the information that children, young people and their parent / carers can give us is extremely important.
Concerns and feedback
We welcome feedback from children, young people and their families and we use this to help us improve the service we offer. You can about how useful you have found our service.
If you have a concern about the service you receive, please tell the psychologist who is working with you. If this does not help, you can contact the Psychological Services at psychologicalservices@ea.edin.sch.uk.
Contact us
If you are concerned about your child you can contact us by telephone or email. It is usually better to discuss the situation first with the staff at your child’s nursery or school, or with someone who is already working with you. Often they may be able to help you or they may contact us on your behalf.
Whoever contacts us, we will always ask your permission before we work with your child. We want you to know about and agree to anything we are doing.
Telephone
0131 469 2800
Leave a message including your name, phone number and child’s school. One of our educational psychologists will call you back as soon as they can.