Access to the Educational Psychology Service

All Sheffield's  maintained schools have a named Educational Psychologist who works closely with key staff members such as the Head teacher and the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.  The majority of time available is spent on school-related work, including providing psychological advice/consultancy, contributing to school reviews and planning meetings with staff and parents/carers, where appropriate.

 

Where there are concerns about children’s and young people's learning, behaviour or psychological well being, the first port of call for our families will be to discuss these with school staff.  All schools and many early years settings have a nominated member of staff with specific responsibility for identifying additional learning needs and co-ordinating arrangements for meeting these - this person is known as the Special Needs Co-ordinator (or SENCo).  They are able to seek additional advice, discussion and involvement from a wide range of external agencies, including Educational Psychologists. 

 

 

Schools can also draw on the knowledge of local and national support groups and the Voluntary Sector.  Schools are, therefore, best placed to determine initially if and when additional professional advice is needed, and from where that is most appropriately accessed.

 

Expectations of Educational Psychology Services are changing to require closer partnership working with families and other service providers.  Educational Psychologists can be contacted by any local agency, with parent/carer’s permission, or directly by Sheffield families themselves for advice on a range of matters relating to children’s and young person’s development where these are not school-related. 

 

The Service may be able to offer helpful ideas, advice on strategies to try and suggest where families might be able to get further or more specific information or support – for example, managing bedtime routines, supporting children where a death or family break-up has occurred.

The Service is a centrally funded one, free at the point of delivery in terms of its core activities. 

 

When Educational Psychologists are directly involved with children and young people, these will be those with the most complex needs and the prior agreement and views of parents or carers will be an essential requirement.  Information that is recorded will be securely stored in the office and, where it is appropriate and in the best interests of the child or young person, this may shared with other professionals.  Schools may also keep their own records of our work with them.

 

For more information contact the Educational Psychology Service.