The Educational Psychology Service in Guernsey is a specialist service provided by qualified, experienced practitioners in the fields of Psychology and Teaching. We provide a service in the following ways – through Consultation, Assessment, Training, Support, Advice and Counselling, and through Research and Evaluation.

We provide a consultation service mainly through schools for individual pupils and groups of pupils who may experience difficulties in one or more areas of learning. With teachers and other professionals involved, we offer regular consultation to help clarify problems and devise problem solving strategies in managing the learning process.

The Service undertakes individual assessments of children and young people from birth to 19 years with special educational needs. The Educational Psychologists make recommendations about provision to meet those needs.

In a small number of cases a Formal Assessment will be undertaken in consultation with parents and other professionals.

The Service provides training, support and advice to teachers, parents and other professionals in relation to children and young people who have learning difficulties.

The Service undertakes research and evaluates initiatives which are designed to raise achievement and promote inclusion.

The involvement of the Service is requested in the following way:

Normally for school-aged children this is done through the school the pupils attends by initial discussion with the school’s designated Educational Psychologist. This would usually take place during the Psychologist’s termly planning visit with the school concerned. If this is inappropriate or impractical another visit may be made by agreement or a discussion by telephone.

Parental agreement for the involvement of the Service in relation to individual pupils must be obtained.

A Request for Involvement form will be completed by the person asking for help or advice.

The Service allocates time each term for visits by one of the Educational Psychologists to schools, other services and provisions such as playgroups.

Contact with the Educational Psychology Service can be made through the Education Department (tel (01481) 710821 or fax (01481) 712260.