When an Educational Psychologist works with your pre-school child

Parents can feel anxious when the Educational Psychology Service becomes involved with their child. The following information explains what Educational Psychologists do when working with pre-school children.

If an Educational Psychologist (EP) becomes involved with your child it will be to use what they know about psychology to:

• help develop an even clearer understanding of your child
• recommend and help work out how your child can make better progress
• make recommendations related to your child starting school.

What questions do EPs ask parents?

Generally an EP finds it helpful to know about:

• what your child is like at home
• what strengths and interests your child has
• how your child developed as a baby and toddler
• what worries you may have about your child
• what you find works well to help your child
• what you would most like to see happen for your child

EPs are also happy to answer questions that parents have.

How and where do EPs work?

We carry out observations and assessments to contribute, along with other professionals, to the management and support of children who may experience difficulties. When we become involved in assessing a child we may do some or all of the following:-

• Share information with other professionals
• Listen and talk to the child individually
• Observe/assess the child in surroundings familiar to them such as the playgroup or at home
• Listen and talk to the child's parents/guardian

Information gathered helps us to understand the child's needs. We can then advise those working with the child on setting appropriate targets and may be involved in helping to plan for the child starting school.

Educational Psychologists are always involved in the detailed assessment of the educational needs of children and young people with longer term difficulties.

Request for involvement or referral

At the pre-school stage, the Service operates an open referral system, so anyone who has a concern may seek advice about the child's difficulties and/or development by directly contacting either the named Educational Psychologist for the catchment area (if known) or by contacting the Senior Practitioner for Early Years, currently Ms Alison Ring. This may or may not lead to a request for involvement.

Parents are always asked to give their permission for an EP to be involved with their child. This permission is usually by a signature on the 'request for EP involvement' form. You will always receive copies of any report, summary or letter the EP writes about your child.

Notification

There is a requirement by Law that the Education Department is notified by the age of 2 years of any child who may have a Special Educational Need and that parents are informed of such notification. This duty is placed on the Health and Social Services Department and is normally made through a Paediatrician. However, simply because the Education Department has been notified does not always mean that there will be involvement by the Educational Psychology Service.

If an EP works with my child does that mean that my child will go to a Special School?

Some of the children an EP works with do move to a Special School, most of them do not. Part of an EP's job is to think about which type of school would best suit the child's learning needs. Some children may benefit from a period of assessment at a Nursery attached to a special school. Parents are always involved in decisions about which pupils do move school. If you are anxious about this, ask the EP about it when you meet them.

How to Contact us

The usual way to contact us is through the child's health visitor or leader of the pre-school, including playgroups. You can also contact us directly at the address below.

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