Educational Psychology Services
The educational psychology team works with children and young people in school up to the age of 19, to identify their needs and working with a range of professionals to support those needs.
What is the service?
Educational psychology service.
What do you do?
Educational psychology (EPs) work in a variety of different ways to understand the needs of children and young people, this might include:
- Talking with teachers
- Talking with parents
- Talking with the child or young person alone or in a group
- Observation
- Assessment EPs also work with: Community paediatricians, Speech and Language Therapists, Specialist teachers, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Sensory service, Social Workers
It is sometimes helpful for educational psychologists to meet schools and families with one or more of the professionals listed above. Families will always know if we are planning to work with a colleague to think about their child’s needs and how to meet them.
What age group does your service work with?
0-19.
Do you work with other family members?
Yes.
Are you limited to working with people from a specific geographical area?
Yes, the educational psychology team work with all liverpool children and families, including those placed or educated out of city.
Who would someone ask for in the first instance?
They would speak directly to an admin officer for the team.
What are your opening times?
8.30am – 4.45pm Mon – Thurs 8.30am – 4.15pm Fri
Can you be contacted out-of-hours?
Yes. We have flexible working hours and, therefore, will respond to urgent emails when possible.
Do you have appointments outside working hours?
Occasionally, dependent on need.
Do you have drop-in facilities?
Not at present.
Where do you see young people?
Not at present.
Do you take referrals directly from children/young people, parents/carers?
Referrals to the educational psychology team generally come from schools but parents and children/young people can discuss their wish for a referral in school.
If not, how can people refer in to your service?
N/A
Who else can make referrals to you?
After someone from the nursery or school has talked to the parent or carer, an educational psychologist might be asked to help think about what could happen next.
What kinds of things do you help with?
Social workers, paediatricians and other professionals in consultation with school. When staff in nurseries or schools are concerned about how a child is playing, learning or behaving.
What do you offer?
The strategies that the Educational Psychology team may employ in order to support their work are varied. However, they can be broadly categorised within the following five areas: Consultation, Assessment, Intervention, Development work, Research. Referrals are generally made following an initial planning meeting or TAS in school.
What happens after a referral is made?
Generally, a consultation will take place with parents, carers, teachers and other relevant professionals. The views of the child or young person will be sought and individual assessment may then be carried out. Parents will always be asked to give permission before an educational psychologist works with their child or observes them in class. This will involve signing a form from our service.
What will happen at the first appointment?
A record of our involvement will be sent to all relevant parties with recommendations, interventions and further actions. Further referrals to other relevant services may then be made or multi agency meetings recommended.
What will happen after that?
They can contact the service, member of staff or management team to discuss.
What do you do if a client is not happy with the service?
There is a complaints system which can be accessed by everyone
What skills do your staff have?
We are applied psychologists who through the application of psychological theory have been able to demonstrate a proven track record in working with others in order to best maximise outcomes for children, young people and their families. In particular educational psychologists have knowledge and expertise re: child development, educational and learning pedagogy, positive mental health, emotional wellbeing, and change management theories. Team members work in nurseries, children’s centres, schools and other community locations. We also do home visits and work flexibly in order to achieve best outcomes.
Do you offer training in your specialist area?
Yes. We offer a range of training.
For more information on this please visit The Educational Psychology Service | Liverpool’s Early Help Directory
For further information on other support available please visit Support Archive – Liverpool CAMHS